The 'Municipalities for Europe' project, which has already entered into a recurring phase of cooperation with the Local Government Units in Albania, in cooperation with the EU Corner of Belsh and the city municipality jointly organized on March 21, 2018 the activity: “Belshi Lakes - Maintain and appreciate our natural and cultural assets/resources as a basis for sustainable development”.
The event was conceived by the organizing team of the EU Corner and the Municipality of Belsh, in the framework of the World Water Day, with its theme for 2018 “Nature for Water”
The activity was enrolled in two forms; combining the community's contribution as well as the resources of the area into an artisanal craft fair with a discussion session on the water resources, the lakes and fauna in Belsh.
The craft fair offered to citizens and guests (representatives of the government, MPs of the region, European Union Delegation to Tirana officials, local authorities etc ...) the opportunity to get acquainted with the local products, as a value coming from the natural resources of Belsh. The discussion session provided the participants, i.e. the citizens, farmers and vocational education institution representatives, the opportunity to learn from different panelists/speakers about the efforts for sustainable development in the area and lakes of Belsh.
“The existence of 84 lakes, not only is a great natural resource but is also a tourist attraction, which is turning into an economic source of income for the community of Belsh”- said in his speech Mr. Arif Tafani, Mayor of Belsh Municipality. Mr. Blendi Klosi, Minister of Tourism and Environment highlighted the importance of this region as well as its contribution to the preservation of a clean environment in Albania.
Mrs. Olga Anghelakis. Head of Economic Reform and Infrastructure Section at the EU Delegation, who greeted the participants in this meeting, said among else: “The currently ongoing EU support to Albania for "Strengthening the national capacity in nature protection and preparation for Natura 2000 network" aims at intervening in selected protected areas in the country and at interlinking nature protection and the sustainable touristic development”.
The meeting was also welcomed by Mr. Bekim Murati, Director of the Local Self-Government Agency, who in his keynote mentioned: “We should inform, educate and work with the community so that they can better understand the European Union and its policies”.
Projekti Bashkitë për në Evropë, i cili po mbështet dhe do të vijojë të bashkë - organizojë me Këndet e BE, një event madhor tashmë në secilën bashki të vendit, duke përçuar jo vetëm mbështetjen e BE në nivel vendor por edhe mesazhet dhe politikat e zhvillimit të qëndrueshëm referuar datave dhe ditëve më domethënëse botërore dhe atyre evropiane, është konsideruar tashmë si një mekanizëm tejet efikas nga strukturat e qeverisjes vendore dhe asaj qëndrore në fuqizimin e kapaciteteve të qeverisjes vendore si dhe në përpjekiet e tyre në kuadër të procesit të integrimit evropian të vendit.
The Project Municipalities for Europe, which is supporting the EU Corners and will continue to co-organize with each of them respectively a major event in each municipality, conveying not only the EU support at the local level, but also sustainable development messages and policies referring to the most significant global and European dates and days, has already been considered as a highly effective mechanism by the local and central government structures in strengthening local government capacities as well as in their efforts within the framework of the European integration process of the country.
Context
World Water day
All over the world countries organise different activities on 22 March every year, focusing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’ – exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century.
Damaged ecosystems affect the quantity and quality of water available for human consumption. Today, 2.1 billion people live without safe drinking water at home; affecting their health, education and livelihoods.
Sustainable Development Goal 6 commits the world to ensuring that everyone has access to safe water by 2030, and includes targets on protecting the natural environment and reducing pollution.
