Empowering women and celebrating their success

Promotion of gender equality and gender mainstreaming is at the heart of all projects implemented by CNVP. Our promotion of equality refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women and men and girls and boys and that women’s and men’s opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration as well their diversity it is not a ‘women’s issue’ but should concern and engage men as well as women.

At CNVP we implement several projects and numerous activities to address gender inequality by raising awareness, building capacities and skills, strengthening economic empowerment by creating and promoting different models. We use different ways of showing our support and appreciations for women and girls in our community.

One way is the celebration of the International Women’s Day in recognition of the outstanding contribution of women, who despite the harsh mentality, break the bias, support each other and bring positive change in their community. This year, a knowledge sharing event is organised in Kosovo on 5-6 March 2024. A group of about 25 women from Albania, representing medicinal and aromatic plants producers, businesses and local government from Tirana, Berati, Gramshi, Skrapari, Kolonje and Diber visited some prominent and women led businesses in Kosovo. The inspiring story and business model of Shqipe Shala owner of “Etniki” honey generated high interest from the participants. Business ideas, product development as well as women economic empowerment activities are discussed and explored for both countries. Another outstanding visit was in the premises of “ Artifruit”  company dealing with the cultivation and processing of aronia , one of the best-selling forest fruits and well known for its health benefits. The passionate owner of this company shared his story and advice for the highly interested participants. The opportunity to expand cultivation of aronia in Albania as well as increase distribution channels were explored.

Connecting people, sharing knowledge and experiences, enabling collaboration and unlocking the potential is among our core values which we are proud of.

In the country offices in the Western Balkans CNVP has made considerable progress in gender mainstreaming through regional projects as well as country based.

In Albania, CNVP is implementing Sida funded -LED project where gender mainstreaming forms an integral part of all project activities. Detailed Gender Action Plans guides the implementation of all the activities.

Gender equality in our projects comes from three pillars:

1. Awareness and information -understanding and analysing the existing situation. Organising awareness rising campaigns at all levels and mobilising people in order to influence positive behaviour change.
2. Ability-including knowledge, skills and capacity building
3. Economic Empowerment – including Incentive to build models and add value to products for increasing employment and incomes.

Over 2000 women involved in  the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants as well as those who harvest wild MAPs are supported with drying facilities, mechanization services, extension service and trainings on good agriculture practices, participation in the round tables, fairs and international days celebrations exchange visits, and most importantly they are supported to enter into Contract farming agreements with businesses which brings market security for their products.

 In Kosovo, CNVP is implementing Sida- funded SUNREED project, with a clear gender approach which is strategically grouped into three main pillars such as capacity building, awareness campaigns; promoting women’s rights in decision-making and policy formulation; and the third pillar concentrates on providing in-kind support.

A gender action plan leads the implementation of several awareness meetings and training sessions covering democratization, rights and equality, project and government funding opportunities, leadership and advocacy, and gender mainstreaming. Additionally, regional trainings on environment, biodiversity, climate change, and financial and business management are conducted. Joint gatherings, fairs, round tables, and participation in international events are facilitated These activities, are being organized in collaboration with various institutions at local and central levels and have significantly boosted women’s inclusion in project activities. The existing women producer groups and core groups of women established at the regional level aim to evolve into a Network of Rural Women Entrepreneurs, advocating for women and youth concerns to policymakers and decision-makers.

In North Macedonia, CNVP through a series of projects, ensures women's rights and their economic empowerment with a special emphasis on rural women, who are believed to have a strong potential that they should use to the maximum.

 An outstanding example, is the association Rural Women of Prespa, which is formed within the project "Empowering Women for NTFP's Development of Prespa".

 The Rural Women of Prespa has become a recognizable brand in recent years, not only in Prespa but also beyond. The preparation of traditional food is their hallmark, but the cultivation of mountain tea highlights their commitment to the protection of this endangered species, due to poor collection practices that do not ensure the sustainable use of this aromatic medicinal herb. Their multi-faceted approach, combining traditional food practices with sustainable cultivation, showcases a holistic model for economic empowerment and environmental conservation.

At regional level, rregional projects such as “Integrated Forest Management” funded by Austrian Development Agency and implemented in partnership with ICEP, have a separate outcome for gender mainstreaming in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

 “Sustainable use of natural resources for transboundary socio-economic development of protected areas in North Macedonia and Albania (Korab-Koritnik, Shar and Albanian Alps)”, funded by Prespa Ohrid National Trust (PONT) emphasises gender equality in all the project activities.