Ervis MARTANI Albanian Institute of Public Affairs

YearsTotal populationUrbanRural 19792,590,600866,6001,724, ,182,4171,137,5622,044, ,063,3201,293,5491,769, ,907,3611,552,7091,354, (1/1/2015)2,893,0051,654,7971,238,208

The movement of population from the village to the city, along with emigration abroad, has brought a depopulation of rural areas, and accompanied by the absence of a set of state intervention in these areas, have led to more rural areas remain underdeveloped and isolated in comparison with the rest of the country. Rural areas have been on the periphery of economic and social development of the country, so that for example, rural roads, which are normal in western countries, in the far rural areas in Albania are still considered as luxury. During the winter these villages are partially or completely isolated

Rural development represents a cross-sector reform, which includes among others sectors such as public infrastructure, education, health, economy, environment, gender issues, social inclusion, etc. Regarding rural development, we distinguish three main periods: the period from 1991 to 2000; period from 2001 to 2006; and the period since 2007 until today.

The support of international institutions and development projects appears to have a significant impact on the direction of policy in political decision-making, through guidance documents and direct support in the formulation of laws and regulations. "The orientation document of agricultural development policies" prepared by USAID in support of the Ministry of Agriculture in The paper continued to be the only document to guide development interventions in 1998 with design and the adoption of the Agriculture Development Strategy (called the "Green Strategy").

"The Green Strategy" outlined a medium-term period ( ) and intended to put the basis for a sustainable development of the agricultural sector. It aimed to: improving the productivity of the agricultural land and setting it on a sustainable economic and environmental basis; achievement of a satisfactory standard of living for people in the rural areas, especially through the growth of the earnings of those who work in the agriculture and meeting food needs both at household and national levels.

This strategy was revised in 2000 and increased the role of rural development policies making a better integration between development aspects of agriculture and the wider rural development and poverty reduction. During this period, various line ministries (the Ministry of Transport, Education, Health, Labour and Social Affairs, Culture, etc.) have independently prepared (although most instructive in the draft form) their strategic documents, which directly or indirectly contributed to the development of the rural areas.

The Strategy for Growth and Poverty Reduction (2001). Objectives: (i) poverty reduction through the provision of a steady increase in production and income from agriculture, livestock and agro-processing; (ii) maintenance and improvement of natural resource use; (iii) increasing access and quality of rural services (education, health, social protection), drinking water and sanitation, and rural transport infrastructure; (iv) the diversification of the rural economy and increase employment and income from non-agricultural activities in the rural areas.

The Strategic Document On Rural Development (Draft formulated by the The World Bank, 2002). This rural strategy for Albania poses as central objectives of the following elements: (a) the continued growth of rural household income; (b) (b) reducing rural poverty; (c) sustainable management of natural resources, including forests, pastures and water.

The National Strategy for Development and Integration The goals of this strategy are presented in four columns (three main technical and operational) rural development policies in Albania, as follows: 1. Increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and agro food support for restructuring and development of the value added activities (in order to increase the financial value of products); 2. Protecting and improving the environment by sustainably manage natural resources in rural areas; 3. Improving the quality of life in rural areas and promotion of different economic activities through new job creation; 4. The development of the capacity of institutions to plan, manage and coordinate activities in effectively support the rural development.

The Cross-Cutting Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (SNZHRB), prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Management (MBZHRAU) from October 2012 until April 2013, is designed under the framework of the strategy "Europe 2020" for a rapid, sustainable and inclusive growth and the overall strategic objective of Albania to join the EU. It has been prepared in accordance with the access to strategic planning in the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) from 2014 to 2020, focusing simultaneously on specific needs for the development of agriculture, agro-processing and rural areas in Albania. The main objective of this document is the definition of a strategic framework for addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector and agro- processing, and the development of rural areas in a sustainable economic, environmental and social, proposing similar policy instruments with CAP instruments.

Rural people as a whole have lower enjoyment of human rights than many urban people. This is associated with isolation and poverty. Poverty itself is a human rights violation. Rural poverty is endemic in most countries, including Albania. Most of the poor are rural and will be so for several decades. Their income, spending and employment are usually concentrated on the basic food. Poverty in turn produces or other human rights violations.

In Albania, poverty affects women more than men. Women have less access to land, credit, technology, education, health care and skilled work. Women have lower health, education and employment status than men in most countries but their inequality is always more marked in rural areas. They have less access to income and less ability to become economically independent. Their work tends to be more menial and less skilled than men’s work. They have less control over their own lives and the lives of their families and less ability to influence key economic and political directions of their communities than men do.

Education levels in rural areas in all countries are far below those in the cities. Despite the fact that education is a basic right in itself and an essential prerequisite for reducing poverty, improving the living conditions of rural people and building a food- secure world, children’s access to education in rural areas is still much lower than in urban areas, adult illiteracy is much higher and quality of education is poorer. Rural children have greater difficulty attending school and, when they do, they stay for shorter periods, leaving with fewer qualifications and are less likely to proceed to further education, either technical or higher education. Another problem has to do with the lack of qualified teachers in the remote areas.

Health status is associated closely with poverty and education levels. Country living is often associated with a simpler, more caring and more human lifestyle. That association is often correct, but it does not equate with a healthy lifestyle. Rural poverty leads to inadequate nutrition. It also leads to poor sanitation. Isolation leads to inadequate access to health and medical services. Usually rural areas in Albania are not supplied with health care centers and often citizens are forced to do very long trip to get health care.

Some recommendations suggested: Investments in the rural infrastructure Promoting the professional education according to respective needs in the area Promoting the activities of civil society and NGOs in the remote areas not in the towns only Promoting programs to aware about women rights as human rights Financial support to high education professionals working in the remote areas (teachers, medical doctors) Contribute to establishing of consortiums of producers working in the rural areas