CNVP Albania is implementing the Local Economic Development Project (LED) with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in 6 regions in Albania, Tirana, Elbasan, Korca, Shkoder, Diber, and Berat.

On 10 December, CNVP Albania held field visits and meetings with different potential partners for the project implementation in the Diber region. 

The first meeting was held with the potential business involved in the MAP sector. Diber region is very rich with NTFP and specifically, the MAP sector plays an important role in the economic development of the local communities in the region. 

The meeting aimed at identifying ways of collaboration and project implementation in the Diber region. Last year, apart from wild-harvested Medicinal plants it has a lot of interest in the cultivation of different varieties of MAPs. This will be as well the focus of cooperation in the project framework. Field visit in Melan Administrative Unit was organized with farmers that have been identified and are involved in the cultivation of cian, mellaga e zeze, calendula. Farmers express interest in project activities and as well as an eagerness to benefit from the project. 

During the meetings, several issues were discussed such as marketing, MAPs potential, the interest of farmers, land issues, and as well as tax issues related to business and farmers. An important role was as well identified in the role of the Municipality in support of local economic development.  

The LED project aims to improve the performance of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plans sector (hereinafter referred to as MAPs) in Albania through the design and implementation of a variety of interventions that aim to address key constraints impacting the growth and development of the sector. 

The project is using Market System Development (MSD) Approach working through MAPs private enterprises to bring about changes in the functioning of the market system by focusing on the introduction of Value Chains MAPs and other NTFPs