What is the Programme about?

EU4Schools

“EU4Schools” is a Programme funded by the European Union in response to the recovery process following the earthquake of November 26, 2019. The Programme is being implemented by the UNDP, in cooperation with the Albanian Government. It aims to support Albanian citizens in eleven affected municipalities, namely: Kruja, Durrës, Kurbin, Kamza, Kavaja, Tirana, Mirdita, Lezha, Rrogozhina, Shijak, Vora in the area of education. The Programme is part of the European Union’s financial commitment during the International Donor’s Conference, organized in Brussels on February 17, 2020. The overall objective of this Action is to further support local and national governments in reducing social and economic losses, and to accelerate the recovery process through educational facility repairs and reconstruction.
The specific objectives are:
1. To support repairing and reconstruction, including the basic furnishing and equipping of education facilities in municipalities affected by the earthquake according to the EU standards;
2. To provide increased transparency, accountability and inclusiveness to the recovery process; and
3. To improve capacities of central and local governments in accelerating the recovery processes according to the highest international standards.

“EU4Schools” Programme targets over 60 educational facilities. Educational facilities targeted are part of the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA), which indicated that a total of 321 public Crèches, Pre-Schools, Basic Schools, and Secondary Schools were fully destroyed, partially damaged or lightly damaged in the 11 affected municipalities in Albania.

The Programme will deliver rapid assistance to help restore education services in local communities in order to ensure that students loose minimum school and learning days, and to enable the gradual normalization of life of affected population in those municipalities, with education being the foremost priority. “EU4Schools” Programme will contribute to addressing the recommendations of the last European Commission report to Albania, which stated that “in the coming year, Albania should in particular: implement the pre-university education strategy and the higher education reform, with a focus on ensuring inclusive and quality education at all levels both in urban and rural areas.

Below is an indicative list of educational facilities to be repaired or reconstructed by the EU4Schools Programme funded by the European Union.

Project ideas for all educational facilities are presented and discussed in consultation meetings with community representatives, namely, teachers, parents, students, for each facility. More than 1,800 people participated in 68 consultation meetings providing their suggestions on how they want the new schools. In addition, Memorandums of Understanding have been signed with eleven targeted municipalities to identify roles and responsibilities of each party in the process. All Programme structures are in place. Detailed designs are finalized for all (64) educational facilities. ‘Build back better’ is the main principle followed throughout all processes, aiming to offer better education services to Albanian citizens. An accessible platform to show Programme results is under preparation, aiming to increase transparency, accountability and inclusiveness during the implementation of the Programme.