By introducing environmentally-friendly and market-oriented agricultural practices, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Albania has opened up new opportunities for local producers. The photo above shows work being done in fields planted with the rare Monarda herb which is a highly valuable medicinal plant also used as tea and as active ingredient for oral hygiene products. Albanian producers have been enabled to produce and export this plant to lucrative markets in Western Europe.

Since May 1997 the Swiss Cooperation Office in Albania has focused on strengthening democratic institutions, implementing decentralisation at local level, advancing the rural economy, increasing employment and renovating infrastructure. Particular emphasis has been given to gender equality and social inclusion of disadvantaged groups such as the Roma. Through bilateral cooperation and international programmes Switzerland has contributed to Albania with about 133 million Euro up to beginning 2010 - approximately 8 million Euro per year - in form of non-reimbursable grants only. Switzerland’s contribution to Albania is equally distributed between governmental and civil-society channels. <>

The overall goal for 2010-1013 is to support Albania in its efforts towards European integration by contributing to the improvement of Governance and Rule of Law and to the competitiveness of the Economy. Swiss development assistance in Albania operates in the domains of Democratisation and Rule of Law and Economic Development. Examples of work include enhancing capacities of local government, increasing citizens’ participation in decision-making, introducing regional development plans and policies, improving the social inclusion of Roma people and other disadvantaged groups, rehabilitating water and energy infrastructure, and supporting vocational education

The Swiss Cooperation brings to Albania Switzerland’s comparative advantage and specific know-how in areas such as decentralisation, vocational educational training (due to its dual educational system), risk insurance and energy. <>Switzerland plays a leading role in the dialogue and cooperation between the Government of Albania and the international donor community and is recognized for its efforts to increase aid effectiveness