Today, the ARDA team, together with the IPARD Managing Authority at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, held a meeting with artisans and handicraft producers at the National Chamber of Handicrafts in Tirana. Many interested participants in IPARD funding gathered from various regions, where traditional craftsmanship continues to create employment and cultural heritage across generations.
Ardita Kuçi, the legal office representative at ARDA, presented the invited guests with the criteria and required documentation for applying. Measure 7 of the IPARD-II program, in this call, aims to develop rural areas by financing handicrafts and manufacturing, including woodworks, stonework, pottery, carpets, traditional clothing, embroidery, basketry, and other unique and traditional products. It also covers the purchase of equipment for workshops and the improvement of workspaces.
Grigor Gjeci, the director of the IPARD program at MBZHR, expressed that this measure has 5.2 million euros available, and in the future, during the IPARD-II program, other sectors that support artisanal work in rural areas will also be included. The call is open until February 25, 2022. Applications should be submitted to ARDA offices in person or by mail at the following address: Rr. Muhamet Gjollesha Nr.56, Tirana.
