Rr. Ismail Qemali, P. 34/1
Kt. 5, Zr. 22
Tiranë
Albania
- Democracy and community development
- Heritage
- Human rights
- International/Cultural relations
- Youth and education
Cultural Heritage without Borders-Albania (CHwB-Albania) is dedicated to rescuing and preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage affected by conflict, neglect or human and natural disasters. We see our work as a vital contribution to building democracy and supporting human rights.
CHwB-Albania works with cultural heritage as an active force in reconciliation, peace building and social and economic development. Many political conflicts have cultural and/or ethnic dimensions, and reconciliation efforts are urgently needed for preventing further hostilities and preparing for a life where peoples and communities can live and work side by side again. There is considerable evidence that working with reconstruction, conservation and the development of historic environments can help promote peacebuilding processes, strengthen self-esteem, and contribute towards socio-economic development. Our vision is that everyone has the right to enjoy, have access to, and participate in cultural heritage. Our mission is to promote cultural heritage as both a right in itself and a resource. CHwB-Albania works with civil society and institutions at all levels to strengthen peace building, sustainable socio-economic and democratic development and the realisation of human rights. We want to improve conditions and opportunities to enjoy cultural freedom and cultural diversity, and we are working towards cultural heritage to be increasingly used as a tool to promote human rights, peacebuilding and democratic development. In order to reach these goals, we have three strategic key objectives for the period from 2016 – 2020: The cooperation between the State and the civil society is strengthened Cultural heritage is valued and utilized as a social, economic, cultural and environmental resource for local communities Regional cooperation serves as the platform for building peaceful relations for responsible preservation and interpretation of cultural heritage in the Western Balkans, with effects felt beyond the region
Please see portfolio document and chwb.org/albania for more information: http://chwb.org/albania/who-we-are/ http://chwb.org/albania/what-we-do/
As an organization, we have more than 20 years of experience in the Balkans and 10 years of experience working in Albania. (CHwB-Albania was founded as an independent, local NGO in 2015, but CHwB has been conducting projects in Albania since 2007.) This gives us an institutional knowledge and long-term perspective that can be useful in supporting the fundraising and project activities of other CSOs in Albania. We also strongly support a human rights based approach to our work and will stand in solidarity and support of other actors that support and uphold human rights and democratic principles in Albania. In addition, CHwB has founded of two regional networks in the Balkans: the Southeast European (SEE) Heritag Network and the Balkan Museum Network, both of which are operating today. This experience has been helpful in terms of understanding the kind of engagement and cooperation required to make a network thrive.
We would like to join ALF Network for the same reasons that we are proud supporters of SEE Heritage Network and the Balkan Museum Network. We feel that the work of non-profit organizations is strengthened by exchange and mutual support. And we feel that participating in dialogue around a shared set of values helps to strengthen the impact that we can have in society.