Establish Environmental Feminist Local Alliances

Title of the project: Establish Environmental Feminist Local Alliances
Duration: January - December 2022
Donor: European Union and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency

The aim of the project is to support local  Women CSOs in furthering their capacities in gender and environment by using a “learning by doing approach” and efficiently address environmental issues from a gender perspective.

Specific aims:
- Create Environmental Feminist Local Alliances in three targeted municipalities, who advocate for environmental action, especially waste management in their communities.
- Increase awareness about the important role that women can play in encouraging environmental action.
- Achieve policy and legal change at local and central level on better waste management, decreasing pollution and encouraging recycling.
- Increase awareness among the general population on the need for taking action to protect the environment through emphasizing women’s voices.

Establish Environmental Feminist Local Alliances project, implemented by Gender Alliance for Development Centre, has been supported by Reactor - Research in Action and their partners through the Action "Furthering Gender Equality through the EU Accession Process". This Action is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

The contents of this post are the sole responsibility of the Gender Alliance for Development Centre and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

Key Achivements of the Project
Established 3 Local Feminist Environmental Alliances in Kamëz, Puka, and Vlora, with over 410 women and girls trained in environmental advocacy and gender equality.
13 local CSOs trained (online and in-person) on gender and environmental advocacy, strengthening their role in local decision-making.
74 young people (48 girls and 26 boys) engaged through awareness-raising and training activities on gender and the environment.
45 local officials trained and involved in project activities, increasing their awareness and capacities to integrate gender and environmental considerations.
3 municipal-level monitoring reports produced for Kamëz, Puka, and Vlora, identifying gender-specific environmental challenges and recommendations.
1 Policy Brief on "Gender and Environment in Albania" developed and shared with stakeholders at local and national level. For more details click here
Advocacy campaigns launched in all 3 municipalities focusing on:
- Waste management and green spaces (Vlora)
- Water drainage infrastructure (Puka)
Waste bins and public lighting (Kamëz)
- National Roundtable held in Tirana to present the local feminist groups and advocate for stronger gender integration in environmental policies.
9+ local advocacy actions initiated by women and youth as a direct result of the project, continuing beyond its duration.
Oral contribution made to the EU consultation meeting on Albania’s progress report, highlighting the lack of gender mainstreaming in environmental policy.

Round Table Discussion “Local Feminist Environmental Alliances” on November 2, 2022. This event provided a valuable platform to engage with civil society organizations and highlighted the important role that women, girls, and youth can play in advocating for environmental issues and encouraging concrete environmental action. For more details, click here.