Albania: Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development
JOINT PROGRAMME QUICK FACTS
Total Budget $3,260,000
Delivery Rate
Participating Agencies UNDP, UNESCO
Main Achievements
- Joint programme has contributed to the amendment of the Law on Intangible Heritage, the government’s strategy on culture, policies for the Archaeological Park Systems and National History Museum, and risk mitigation plans for the two JP pilot national archaeological parks Antigonea and Apollonia. Four key policy documents have been developed, and ideas shared on conservation and protection of cultural monuments.
- Visitor information and facilities have been improved with the completion of the cultural heritage signage project in the historic centre of Gjirokastra and the publication of a series of map guides for Antigonea in Albanian.
- Cultural Resources Management MA-level program established. Capacity building in the area of cultural diplomacy has increased awareness of Albania internationally.
Contact Erkan Ozcelik, erkan.ozcelik@undp.org
The joint programme is designed to strengthen the capacities of Albania in the area of culture and development, and to boost the role of Albania’s cultural identity and heritage in the promotion of the country’s image abroad. In doing so, it is making an important contribution to Albania’s national priority of accession to the European Union.
Specifically, the programme is supporting the development of cultural policies, improving Albania's capacities for the protection, promotion and management of cultural assets, and safeguarding the most valuable cultural heritage monuments and sites. It is also strengthening the cultural industries sector so as to contribute to Albania's socio-economic development and its achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The programme utilizes a participatory approach at the policy, state and local intervention levels. The MDGs that are being targeted in Albania are #1, #7 and #8, which aim to end poverty and hunger, achieve environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development. The agencies involved in the programme are UNDP and UNESCO.