Albania
In Albania, Oxfam focuses on alleviating poverty in rural areas by building sustainable livelihoods.
Building a better future
The last communist state to fall in Europe, Albania is still one of the region's poorest countries.
- A quarter of Albanians in rural areas currently live in poverty
- Farmers in remote areas are particularly badly affected. Many are forced to emigrate to make a living
Much of Albania's rural, moutainous heartland is difficult to reach, with poor roads and transport, but there is a living to be made from the land and forests. If well supported, these resources could stop younger people from leaving the country in search of work abroad.
How Oxfam is helping
We help farmers in Shkodra, Dibra and Vlora regions make a sustainable living from their land so that they can work their way out of poverty. Our programme includes providing support and advice to help people improve and diversify their crops both for their own consumption, and to sell at market.
Livelihoods: the key to success
Albania has an abundance of fresh and good quality produce but farmers often face difficulties in getting their goods to market.
How Oxfam is helping
We work with rural farmers to provide both technical and small business support and help them make links with local and national markets.
Our work has included providing a co-operative of grape growers in Hajmel with support in improving and packaging their wine. Now their new brand, Zadrima, is ready to grace the tables of the most discerning wine-buffs in the captial, Tirana.
Learn more
Making trade fair
- 50 per cent of Albanians rely on farming, livestock and forestry to make a living
But the market is set against them, and Albanian farmers are struggling to compete with subsidised imports from EU countries. There is no protection for their fledgling industries.
How Oxfam is helping
Oxfam has helped set up agricultural trade fairs where farmers and producers are able to promote their wares.
These also provide the opportunity for rural farmers to sell their produce to consumers and traders.
