TIRANA, September 20/ATA/- The Western Balkans Fund announced the 12 new beneficiaries of its regional grants, worth 30,000 euros each.

These grants, co-financed by the European Union, aim to support regional projects in the Western Balkans.

In Albania, the list of winners includes the Helsinki Committee, Council of Albanian Ambassadors, Albanian Institute of International Studies, Albanian Center for Quality Journalism and others.

Present at the distribution evening, the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union, Silvio Gonzato emphasized that, “I am proud of the Western Balkans Fund, which we continue to support with an additional 1 million euros, and I am happy to see how it helps NGOs realize new ideas that contribute to building more inclusive, diverse and more equal societies. These are the ideas and projects that can transform the countries of the region, create stable regional networks and pave the way for the integration of the region in the EU”.

Dr. Gjergj Murra, the Western Balkans Fund CEO, stated that, “Thanks to the strategic partnership we have established with the European Union, we now have an even greater influence in the region. We can never allow ourselves to forget that the alternative of a region where cooperation is lacking cannot be a real alternative”.

Project Manager Fjordi Bisha highlighted competitiveness of the selection process.

“I am pleased to welcome today the 12 regional champions, selected after a careful process from over 140 applicants,” he said.

Each grant, providing up to 30,000 euros, supports initiatives in regional cooperation in various fields, including education, culture, sustainable development, the green agenda, gender equality and human rights.

The Western Balkans Fund is an international organization established in 2017 by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the region to promote reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans. Since its establishment, it has distributed over 300 grants to civil society.