Supporting Municipalities in Accessing Private Sector Funds for Strategic Projects

Effective projects require comprehensive analysis, considering potential obstacles and opportunities in the implementation process. They must also demonstrate the municipality's capacity to manage project complexity and absorb financing. The municipalities of Fier and Berat have received support from the Public Local Governance Project (PLGP) to develop fundable projects for local economic development. Agriculture is a key sector in both municipalities, and the projects reflect this emphasis. In Fier, the municipality has developed a new regional livestock market project, including a feasibility study and construction details. The new market will replace the existing one, which operates in poor physical and sanitary conditions within the city. The municipality plans to build the new market in an agricultural area outside the city, benefiting the whole region and allowing for more frequent use as a market, as well as other activities such as fairs, bazaars, and municipal days. The total cost of the market is approximately 700,000 Euro, with co-financing from the municipality and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). The new market will meet all technical and sanitary requirements, including specific sections for different types of livestock, offices for veterinarians, an emergency room, a quarantine area, toilets, and a large parking area. PLGP supported the municipality in developing this project by conducting a feasibility study addressing both construction and future operation and management. In Berat, the main irrigation channel of Mbreshtani will be reconstructed through co-financing from the municipality and TAP. TAP will invest around 360,000 Euro in the reconstruction of the main channel, while the municipality will invest in the branches of the irrigation system. The proposed irrigation system has a length of 7.1 km, covering the fields of Mbreshtan, Palikesht, and Starova, and will serve around 550 hectares of agricultural land and 5,000 people whose economies are agriculture-based. The channel has fallen into disrepair due to lack of maintenance and is no longer functional. PLGP provided technical support for the development of both projects, which are solid initiatives for local economic development. As a result of PLGP's work, over 700,000 Euros have been raised from external sources (TAP), and another 700,000 Euros will be invested by the respective municipalities. Both projects are expected to be implemented within 2019.