Emergency Response and Recovery

1.  Weapons in Exchange for Development (Elbasan and Dibėr)

*Currently discussing further cost sharing with donors

The objective of this project is to expand, in the district of Elbasan and Dibėr, the scheme of disarmament of the civilian population in exchange for development incentives, which has been already successful in the Gramsh District of Albania.  The project strategy focuses on the connection between illegal weapons surrender and development (advocacy, public awareness and community rewards through development incentives), and lowering the number of weapons available for crime and violence (weapons collection and destruction, as a message of returning to normality). In addition, through the promotion of community participation (community involvement), community-police relations can be enhanced (symbolism for voluntary weapons surrender) with a positive effect on other social development programs. The Gramsh pilot experience has shown that the combination of disarmament conditionally and development needs represents an ideal priority for the country and an attractive and acceptable way of growth for the communities. In order to keep the momentum and extend such a successful experience, substantial donor support and collaboration has been pledged for the extension of the project.