The project involves the introduction of a community and training centre in Koplik which will provide training in foreign languages, computer skills and tailoring/handicrafts, as well as serving as a cultural centre where a range of socio-cultural activities will take place.

Poverty and poor education are prevalent in the north and eastern areas of Albania. There is a high correlation between the lack of education and poverty, with more than a third of the poor having only obtained an elementary school education. Malnutrition is also a consequence of poverty and is particularly prevalent in children under five years of age.

Project Objectives

1. To improve the living standards and employment opportunities for the residents of Koplik and its surrounding areas by providing relevant skills, activities and opportunities for integration into a modern economy within the framework of Islamic values.
2. To improve social welfare by positively impacting on the lives of the poorest communities.

Project Activities

1. Providing a community and training centre
2. Providing training courses
3. Organising and holding social and cultural activities

Beneficiaries

The project will benefit 65 students and their 260 family members.

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/