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OSCE Presence and Swedish government sign agreement on supporting civil society development in Albania
TIRANA 8 June 2004
TIRANA, 8 June 2004 - The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida) signed an agreement today on financing the activities of the Presence's two Civil Society Development Centres for the next three years.
Sida has agreed to donate over 220,000 euros to the functioning of the Civil Society Development Centres (CSDCs) in Kukes and Korca until 2007. The agreement was signed on behalf of the donor by Counsellor Lars Oscar. Ambassador Osmo Lipponen signed the agreement for the OSCE Presence in Albania.
"Sweden sees the immense importance of civil society in Albania, so it is natural for it to support these two Centres in those regions where Sweden has been very active," Counsellor Oscar said. He expressed hope that the Swedish contribution would enhance activities of civil society in the two regions and in the whole of Albania. "We are sure that the OSCE Presence is well equipped to provide input to this process," he added.
The Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, said the agreement showed international understanding of the importance of the Civil Society Development Centres. "The Centres are a unique regional network and support by Sida represents a positive evaluation of the work already done by these Centres," he said.
The Presence's CSDC initiative is intended to enhance the capacity of non-governmental organizations in Albania by offering a variety of services. The CSDC network, established in 2001, today comprises six Centres in Durres, Elbasan, Korca, Vlora, Kukes and Shkodra.
The Centres' services include the organization of training sessions for interested clients, consultancy and mediation, co-ordination between civil society and local government, facilitation of links between Albanian civil society and international organizations, and the provision of logistical support, such as office space and communication facilities, to civil society groups.
Sida has agreed to donate over 220,000 euros to the functioning of the Civil Society Development Centres (CSDCs) in Kukes and Korca until 2007. The agreement was signed on behalf of the donor by Counsellor Lars Oscar. Ambassador Osmo Lipponen signed the agreement for the OSCE Presence in Albania.
"Sweden sees the immense importance of civil society in Albania, so it is natural for it to support these two Centres in those regions where Sweden has been very active," Counsellor Oscar said. He expressed hope that the Swedish contribution would enhance activities of civil society in the two regions and in the whole of Albania. "We are sure that the OSCE Presence is well equipped to provide input to this process," he added.
The Head of the OSCE Presence, Ambassador Osmo Lipponen, said the agreement showed international understanding of the importance of the Civil Society Development Centres. "The Centres are a unique regional network and support by Sida represents a positive evaluation of the work already done by these Centres," he said.
The Presence's CSDC initiative is intended to enhance the capacity of non-governmental organizations in Albania by offering a variety of services. The CSDC network, established in 2001, today comprises six Centres in Durres, Elbasan, Korca, Vlora, Kukes and Shkodra.
The Centres' services include the organization of training sessions for interested clients, consultancy and mediation, co-ordination between civil society and local government, facilitation of links between Albanian civil society and international organizations, and the provision of logistical support, such as office space and communication facilities, to civil society groups.