Brief description A project establishing interactive communication between representatives of Albanian and Macedonian Chambers, with a view to learning from each other’s practices and establishing a long lasting relationship that can contribute to the economic development of the cross-border area.
Region Intra Western Balkan borders
Countries Albania (AL) – Republic of North Macedonia (MK)
Location AL: Korçë, Pogradec
MK: Struga, Ohrid, Debar, Zajas
Type of project partners Chambers, business associations
Size (total budget including EU grants) € 50,000 to € 200,000
Main themes Competitiveness, business and SME development, trade and investment
Keywords (Types of Activities) Study visits, exchanges and networking
Institutional building
Publications, websites, databases
Keywords (Aspects of Good Practice) Genuine cross-border dimension
Genuine cross-border impact
Efficient
Good dissemination

Background and Objectives The ambition of the project was to contribute to a wider economic development of the cross-border area of the southwest region in the Republic of North Macedonia (Struga, Ohrid, Zajas, Debar municipalities) and Korçë region in the Republic of Albania (Pogradec and Korça municipalities).

The objective of the project focused on fostering relationships and networks between the business communities and their representative institutions, as the most important tools for exchanging experience, expanding cooperation and defining common cross-border development strategies.
Main activities A range of project activities were carried out with a view to establishing an interactive communication between representatives of Economic Chambers of Albania (Tirana-Korça) and the Macedonian Chambers (OEMVP). In this way, the project sought to create the environment for the mutual introduction of best practices that both Chambers could share, and thereby build a lasting cross-border partnership. This was done by identifying differences in these practices, as well as recommendations for defining and improving the cooperation between the Chambers.

Specific outputs included:

  • exchange and cultural events (3 thematic workshops, a seminar, exhibitions, a closing ceremony);
  • joint publications and production of a 15-minute DVD “Culture beyond borders”.
Main results The activities of the project have led to:

  • Higher level of trust in the entities and institutions across the border.
  • Increased number of relationships and cooperation between legal entities across the border.
  • Increased awareness of possibilities for cooperation and availability of information tools on the two sides’ potentials.
  • Greater interest in establishing business relations and “comfortability” for cooperation.
  • Larger numbers of cross-border visits for business or tourism purposes.
Aspects of good practice By achieving an interactive and ongoing communication, the project aspired to build a lasting cross-border partnership between the chambers which would contribute to further regional development of the cross-border area of the southwest region in the Republic of North Macedonia and Korça region in Albania.
Start and completion dates:
25.03.2011 – 25.03.2012
More information N/A

Partner MK: Economic Chamber of North-West Macedonia (OEMVP)
Partner AL: Chamber of Commerce and Industry