WASHINGTON, July 8, 2014 - The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has approved Euro 7.3 million in IBRD financing for the Environmental Services Project
in Albania, which will benefit farmers, forest associations, groups,
and individuals in 310 rural communes and 2,980 villages across the
country.
The total project cost
is Euro16.8 million, co-financed by a Trust Fund of Euro 7.3 million
from the Swedish Government and a Trust Fund of Euro 2.2 million from
the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).
The project development
objective is to support sustainable land management and increase
communities’ incomes in erosion-prone rural upland areas. It seeks to
open avenues for alternative livelihoods, and will contribute to
sustainable utilization of wood and pasture products.
“Reducing rural poverty
and sustaining natural resources, especially forest resources, is an
important Government priority. The Albanian forestry sector holds great
potential to support national economic growth, rural employment, and
environment preservation,” said Tahseen Sayed, World Bank Country Manager for Albania.
Project interventions
will promote the financial, economic, and institutional sustainability
of land use and natural resources management. It will also help build
capacities of Albanian farmers, community organizations, and central and
local government institutions to efficiently use EU funding. Equal
opportunities will be created for women and vulnerable groups to
participate in environmental services.
The Project will also
contribute to the conservation of water resources and sustainability of
water resources management by reducing the sedimentation in rivers and
dams from land degradation. It is expected that more than one million
will benefit indirectly through improved availability and quality of
water and reduced flooding.
“The project builds on
the experience gained in previous World Bank financed projects that
supported environmental protection, community forest management, and
carbon sequestration,” said Drita Dade, World Bank Senior Specialist for Natural Resource Management and Project Leader.
“Its innovative features include the establishment of a forest
management information system, and introduction of a competitive grants
scheme to improve land use management and provide alternate livelihood
opportunities to communities.”
Since Albania joined
the World Bank in 1992, a total of 82 projects comprising over US$1.8
billion of IDA credits and grants and IBRD loans have been provided to
the country.
