FAO's Digital Villages Initiative to spark digital innovation in Tropoja Valley
Bajram Curri and its surrounding villages in Tropoja valley have embarked on a transformative journey under the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI) of FAO. Collaborating closely with members of the community including farmers, women entrepreneurs, artisans, and youth, Aurora Birbilaj, FAO National Digital Villages Specialist, facilitated participatory sessions aimed at identifying systemic challenges affecting their livelihoods. By engaging in these sessions, the community collectively identified key issues, laying the groundwork for evidence-based solutions that promise to uplift and empower the region.
Tropoja Valley, a northern region of Albania known for its stunning landscapes and cultural richness, present both challenges and opportunities for the local population. Chestnut production, tourism, and agricultural activities, such as livestock, beekeeping, crop cultivation and herbs harvesting, are important parts of the economy in these villages, with residents often engaged in traditional farming practices and trading activities. However, the area suffers from youth migration, isolation and inadequate infrastructure.
Through the Digital Villages Initiative, FAO aims to enhance agricultural production, access to rural services and improve livelihoods in the area. The vision is to empower the Bajram Curri community to utilize digital technologies to tackle the challenges they face, leveraging their local strengths.
About the FAO Digital Villages Initiative
The Digital Villages Initiative is a flagship programme of FAO aiming to transform at least 1 000 villages around the world into digital hubs. The initiative seeks to foster rural transformation and empower communities through digitalization to combat hunger, poverty and inequality. It takes a participatory approach, co-creating interventions with rural communities to enhance their capacities and build resilience, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Digital Villages Initiative in Albania
Digital Villages Initiative in Europe and Central Asia (fao.org)
