What Are the ‘100 Villages’ Part of the Rural Development Program 

TIRANA, January 19

The Albanian government has finally drafted the list of the 100 villages that will be part of the Integrated Rural Development Program. This initiative consists of a four-year program that aims at providing financial support for infrastructural, economic, and sustainable tourism development. The list of these villages includes places known as tourism destinations or places like Lazarat that made the international headlines for reasons other than tourism. Find below the list of the 100 villages. Note, there are several villages throughout Albania that share the same name.

Shkoder, Malesi e Madhe

• Lepusha
• Razem/Vrith
• Theth
• Qelez
• Drisht
• Qelez
• Kryezi
• Mjede
• Zogaj

Kukes, Tropoja

• Valbona
• Cahan
• Shtiqen
• Shishtavec

Lezhe

• Fishte
• Ishull Lezhe
• Orosh
• Skuraj
• Kukel

Diber, Bulqize

• Radomire
• Bushkash
• Rabdisht
• Zerqan
• Guri i Bardhe

Durres, Kruje

• Halilaj
• Shetaj
• Rade
• Metaliaj
• Shenvlash
• Gjepalaj

Tirana, Kavaja

• Preza
• Marikaj
• Shesh
• Laknas
• Shengjergj
• Pellumbas
• Peze
• German
• Karpen
• Vile Bashtove

Elbasan, Librazhd

• Stebleve
• Dardhe
• Rrajce
• Skenderbej
• Shushice
• Gjinar
• Shenavlash
• Sotire
• Shtremen
• Pajove
• Seferan

Lushnje, Fier

• Goricaj
• Krutje
• Ardenice
• Libofsha
• Luar
• Siceqe
• Hekal
• Cakran

Berat, Skrapar, Kucove

• Kozare
• Malas Breg
• Roshnik
• Qafe Dardhe
• Kapinove
• Blezencke

Vlora, Saranda

• Zvernec
• Drashovice
• Plloce
• Kanine
• Dhermi/Vuno
• Kuc
• Lukova
• Rusan
• Cuka
• Mesopotam
• Mursi

Gjirokastra

• Kalivac
• Nivice
• Peshtan
• Kosine
• Maleshove
• Leuse
• Antigone
• Zhulat
• Dhoksat
• Lazarat
• Nepravishta
• Sotira

Korca, Pogradec

• Lin
• Tushemisht
• Gurras
• Zvirine
• Zaroshke
• Voskopoja
• Boboshtica
• Dardha
• Arrez
• Nikolica
• Rehova
• Borova

The Integrated Rural Development Program targets villages with a potential for agritourism, rural tourism, socio-economic development, cultural heritage, etc.
The program has three main objectives. The first focuses on public infrastructure amelioration. This will be achieved through support for the improvement of the road, public, environmental, and community infrastructure, revitalization of public spaces, monuments of cultural heritage, multifunctional community centers, etc.
The second objective consists of economic development through economic activity diversification by improving tourism potential in rural areas, agritourism and rural tourism, support for local products and services, local fairs and festivals, marketing and promotion of the areas and its products, and creating more job opportunities.
The third objective focuses on the development of the human and social capital by supporting rural networks, civil society, vocational training women and youth, cultural heritage, traditions, and rural living.

News Source: Monitor
Photo: Lukova Village and Olive Terraces, Credit: Lukova Holidays