Yesterday, the EU and the Municipality of Shkodra inaugurated the newly renovated Multifunctional Community Centre ‘Xixëllonjat’.

The new Multifunctional Centre will deliver services to 2,600 citizens of Shkodra municipality. It includes a youth and elderly centre, a health care centre, and a nursery and a kindergarten with a capacity to serve 150 beneficiary kids and families.

The Centre’s renovated common spaces, including the outdoor green area and playground aim to boost social inclusion, civic and youth participation in development programmes and partnerships.  The total cost of the renovations was over 195,000 EUR, with EU’s contribution covering approximately 90% of the costs (176,225 EUR).

‘The EU stands with the citizens of Shkodra.  This Multifunctional Centre will offer renovated spaces and services to the local community, from the youngest to the eldest. Supporting Municipalities’ development potential is an EU priority, especially now that Albania enters in the phase of accelerated EU integration and accession process’ Mr. Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation, said.

This renovation is part of the EU’s EU4Municipalities programme, which supports the development of Albanian municipalities who work to boost social inclusion and welfare. Under this programme, 19 Municipalities are benefitting from EU funds, totalling € 1.7 million.

Background

About the European Union in Albania

The European Union is Albania’s strongest development partner, providing over EUR 100 million annually in grant assistance to support the Albanian people and help Albania adopt and implement key political, institutional, social and economic reforms to comply with EU values and progressively align with its rules.

Further information on EU funded projects in Albania and EU-Albanian cooperation can be found at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/albania_en.

‘EU4Municipalities’ is a Programme funded by the European Union which aims to support the development potential of municipalities and improve the socio-economic and environmental conditions of local communities in Albania. The programme aims to address the main problems that affect the quality of life and economic prospects of the local communities by aligning them with European standards.

Municipalities and local governments have a key role in contributing to the process of EU integration. It is a priority of the EU, to support local governments by contributing to the improvement of local infrastructure and quality of public services, and by strengthening the capacities and resources available to Municipalities to enable them to implement their plans and strategies and address the fundamental problems that affect the quality of life of local communities.

More on the programme:  https://eu4municipalities.al/