📋 Tender Overview
Large potential for additional value creation exists in the agriculture sector and related activities in Albania. The project will develop innovative, economically viable and inclusive business models for market actors to leverage investment and ultimately increase income and employment for the population in rural areas, especially for women, young people and returnees.
Country/region Topic Period Budget
Albania
Employment & economic development
Agriculture & food security
Rural development
Agricultural development
01.02.2023 - 31.12.2026
CHF 4’000’000
The project in brief
Background - Agricultural production and related activities are Albania’s main source of employment and provide a significant share of its foreign-exchange earnings, generating around 20% of Gross Domestic Product and employing around 34% of the workforce in Albania. - The sector is characterized by a high risk of migration, land ownership issues and weak cooperation and coordination amongst farmers and businesses/actors along the value chain as well as inadequate advisory services and limited framework conditions that hinder its growth and competitiveness. The pandemic-related decline in employment is particularly affecting rural areas, which are exposed to migratory pressures, especially among young people. - There is high potential for the agricultural and food industry both in the domestic market (agritourism and a growing, affluent urban middle class) and in exports to the Western Balkan region and the EU. This potential is not fully tapped. - There is need and scope to enable more Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in different agricultural value chains to meet the high demands of these markets in terms of quality, delivery volume and reliability.
Objectives The rural population, especially women, young people and returnees, takes advantage from and capitalise on the economic transformation of the rural areas.
Target groups Direct beneficiaries: MSMEs owners and employees, especially young people, women and returnees Intermediary targets: Public and private BSOs
Medium-term outcomes Outcome 1: People living in rural areas benefit from inclusive, increased and better employment and incomes. Outcome 2: MSMEs invest in applying innovative, economically viable and inclusive market based solutions thereby increasing their competitiveness. Outcome 3: An enabling business climate for the agro food sector is fostered through informed decision-making.
Results Expected results: - Innovation models for opening/expanding new agro food markets are identified and proven to be economically and financially viable. - Sustainable business models are scaled up, based on cooperation between private sector operators and public and private business service organisations (BSO), in innovation networks. - Capacities are increased along value chains (MSMEs) supported by demand driven institutionalized service offerings by public and private
