The Municipality of Kolonja comprises a number of 11,070 inhabitants, while according to the Civil Registry this municipality has a population of 19,919 inhabitants, covering an area of 864.06 km2. The total number of persons with disabilities records 7.6% of the total population, which is above the national average of about 6%.
The inhabitants of the Municipality of Kolonja are very much involved in the social and cultural activities in their community. The Cultural Center features several artistic and cultural activities during the year and is frequented by a large number of citizens. Even though, further investments are needed for the reconstruction of new buildings and repairs to existing ones in relation to the social, cultural and artistic life of the community.
In this regard, the implementation of this project, from one side prioritizes the reconstruction of physical asset in order to expand the functionality of the existing building with the provision of multifunctional shared spaces and from the other side intends to contribute to the socio-economic integration of the local community and vulnerable groups, with particular regard to women and youth.
The objective is to revive the existing building of the Multifunctional Center of Kolonja and expand the functionality of the existing building with the provision of multifunctional shared spaces as well as enabling social inclusion. In particular, the project will foster the economic empowerment of local women engaged in local traditional products, through social and inclusive entrepreneurship approaches. In addition, local young people will be supported and animated for the organization of multicultural initiatives and event, as a result of an increased dynamism of Kolonja’s community.
The project is funded by IADSA (Italian-Albanian Debt for Development Swap Agreement) and developed in collaboration with our partner Kolonja Municipality