Planning and Local Governance Project in Albania: Women, Peace & Security (WPS): Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Analysis in the Municipality of Kamëz

The analysis aimed to identify opportunities for women's empowerment and economic inclusion through the upgrading and diversification of selected value chains. The project recognized the importance of gender equality for sustainable economic and social development and women's roles in building community resiliency and sustainability. The analysis was conducted in the context of the project's objectives, which include preventing and countering violent extremism, and supporting the social, economic, and political opportunities of women and girls in six municipalities. The methodology for the analysis involved the selection of value chains using gender-sensitive criteria, including the assessment of women's empowerment and gender equality in the selected value chains. The analysis identified the Textile and Shoes Value Chain and the Wood Furniture Value Chain as the primary focus of the study. The Textile and Shoes Value Chain was assessed using a SWOT analysis, which identified opportunities and constraints for women's empowerment and economic inclusion. The analysis revealed that women's participation in the value chain was limited, with only 20% of women holding leadership positions. However, the value chain offered opportunities for women's empowerment through the development of skills and knowledge in areas such as design, marketing, and management. The Wood Furniture Value Chain was also assessed using a SWOT analysis, which identified opportunities and constraints for women's empowerment and economic inclusion. The analysis revealed that women's participation in the value chain was higher than in the Textile and Shoes Value Chain, with 30% of women holding leadership positions. However, the value chain faced challenges related to the lack of access to markets and the limited availability of raw materials. The analysis identified several recommendations for the Municipality of Kamëz to support women's empowerment and economic inclusion in the selected value chains. These recommendations included the development of training programs for women in areas such as design, marketing, and management, as well as the provision of access to markets and raw materials. The project's findings and recommendations were presented in a report, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and constraints for women's empowerment and economic inclusion in the selected value chains. The report served as a guide for policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies and interventions to support women's empowerment and economic inclusion in the Municipality of Kamëz. The analysis was conducted by Creative Business Solutions (CBS) in collaboration with the Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project's findings and recommendations were presented in a report, which provided a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and constraints for women's empowerment and economic inclusion in the selected value chains. The project's objectives were to build community resiliency and sustainability through activities that contribute to the prevention of social exclusion, violent extremism, radicalization, marginalization, recruitment, and conflict, with a primary focus on women and girls as robust agents of peace and stability. The project recognized the importance of gender equality for sustainable economic and social development and women's roles in building community resiliency and sustainability.