The Albanian and Macedonian People Empowerment Project (AMPEP) – implemented by PEP International, and the Integrated Rural Development Unit (IRDU) project, implemented by a local NGO – the Association for Sustainable Development and Cooperation – ALKA. Both of these projects have developed distinct methodologies for cooperation with the local communities and their involvement in resolving local issues, including financial support in dealing with some of the identified local infrastructural needs (local roads, waterworks, facilities, etc.). Besides the mentioned methodologies, during the projects’ implementation a great deal of experience has been acquired by the projects’ staff, and the villagers and municipality staff involved. The two projects have reached 54 municipalities (out of total 84) and involved some 170 villages. In total around 22.0 MSEK have been spent on small and medium sized community projects.
A review of achievements, the development of methods and approaches and lessons learnt during these years was undertaken in February – March 2008 together with the two implementing organizations, concerned municipalities and local beneficiaries. The results and conclusions were discussed at a series of workshops at local and national levels. The conclusions and findings will be consolidated into a Sida report for wider dissemination as a contribution to international experiences on participatory rural development.(March 2008)