OSCE Presence in Albania launches civil society development fund in Korca
TIRANA, 20 May 2009 - The OSCE Presence, in co-operation with the Korca Municipality and the German Embassy in Albania, announced the creation of a 25,000-euro civil society development fund today.
The fund will support non-governmental organizations, community-based groups and individuals who carry out non-profit civic activism in the region, located in south-eastern Albania. The Korca Municipality has dedicated 1 million lek (over 7,500 euros) to the fund.
"We have worked closely with the Municipality to empower local civil society to undertake self-motivated activities rather than donor-driven initiatives," the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Robert Bosch, said during the signing ceremony.
The Korca Civil Society Development Centre will co-ordinate the fund. The Centre, established in 2001 as part of an OSCE project, has institutionalized the participation of non-governmental organizations in the Municipality's decision-making processes. Germany is providing financial support for the Centre in Korça and other similar centres across Albania.
The OSCE Presence will continue to support the development of civil society in accordance with its mandate.