Albania

› 850 farmers have received assistance through UMCOR Albania in 2005 and 2006 › Albanian sunflower seed oil processor can buy locally produced sunflower seeds, rather than importing seeds from abroad because of UMCOR’s programs › UMCOR made history by improving how local sunflower processors do business

Background

Albania emerged from decades of communist rule in the early 1990s and a multiparty democracy was established. However, the process of transition has proven difficult. Though in June 2006 Albania marked the important milestone of signing a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union, the political situation is still far from stable, and Albania has the dubious reputation of being one of the poorest nations in Europe.

UMCOR opened an office in Tirana, the capital, in spring 2004. UMCOR Albania is currently implementing an agricultural development initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Fiscal Year 2004 Food for Progress program.

PARTNERS IN OUR WORK

UMCOR Albania works with a variety of partners to make our work possible. In addition to the private funds we receive through The United Methodist Church we also receive support from the following:

US Department of Agriculture