The Final Conference of the “Our Land” project took place in Tirana, showcasing an innovative approach to the social repurposing of lands confiscated from organized crime in Albania.
Executed by COSV in collaboration with ANRD and CGM, and in close partnership with the Agency for the Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK), this project has been funded by the European Commission since its commencement in 2022, focusing on rural areas in Shijak and Tirana.
At the heart of the initiative is social agriculture, aimed at generating new employment and self-employment opportunities for youth, women, marginalized groups, and families of organized crime victims, with the goal of reducing emigration and revitalizing rural communities.
Andrea Ferrero from the EU delegation in Albania remarked that organized crime has negatively impacted many communities, and that confiscated lands present an opportunity for transformation, allowing these assets to benefit local populations.
“This project is a win for society and demonstrates how the return of these lands to social enterprises can influence rural development, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” he stated.
Albanian chief administrator Risena Xhaja, during her welcoming address, highlighted the strategic importance of the project for the agency’s mission.
“The ‘Our Land’ project has gone beyond being a mere intervention; it has provided a valuable experience in learning, collaboration, and institutional development,” she noted.
This partnership has successfully transformed confiscated lands into avenues for employment, social progress, and integration of marginalized groups in rural settings.
Xhaja further mentioned that the project has aligned AAPSK with top European standards for managing confiscated assets, thereby enhancing inter-institutional collaboration and engagement with civil society. (June 30)
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