Project Summary:

The Action aims to boost sustainable and inclusive economic revival and development in Janjevë/Janjevo through heritage-led initiatives.

It brings together physical interventions (primary infrastructure, improvement of public spaces, rehabilitation, restauration and conservation of 13 houses) and stimulus for cultural tourism as means of tackling the long-term development of the socio-economic aspect of the local population. 

It also supports entrepreneurs, either through the revival or boosting of traditional crafts or opening of new, non-traditional economic activities, upgrading of existing businesses, providing young women and men with marketable skills, increasing the attractiveness of the sites through upgrading of physical infrastructure, and at the same time contributing to closing the gender divide.

What we want to achieve: 

The Action aims to rehabilitate the historic centre of Janjevë/Janjevo, as driver for supporting cultural tourism, through two interlinked outputs: 

Output 1. Protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of Janjevë/Janjevo 

• Conserve key elements of the vernacular architecture, significant residential and public buildings;
• Enhance public spaces and public realm, including the infrastructure for creating opportunities for social and economic development of the community
• Develop the capacity of the community to maintain its cultural heritage and environment.

Output 2. Alleviation of unemployment through economic engagement

• Build professional capacities of the local community in the field of cultural tourism by identifying opportunities for community engagement;
• Promote skills development for women and youth;
• Establish a grant scheme for micro and small businesses;
• Develop cultural tourism through the promotion of Janjevë/Janjevo’s cultural offering 

Results to date:  

1. Infrastructure for the regeneration of cultural heritage is developed

• Strengthened the capacities of over 30 professionals from the local and central institutions on the conservation and management of the Historic Centre;
• Finalised emergency consolidation/restauration interventions on 10 selected houses in the Historic Centre of Janjevë/Janjevo;
• Completed 4 and drafted 9 restauration and adapted reuse project designs for selected houses; 
• Completed 1 project design for the “Water supply and the wastewater sewerage (faecal) network for the village of Janjevë/Janjevo” infrastructure intervention.

2. Ability of the community to offer services supporting sustainable tourism development is strengthened

• Engaged over 60 women and youth from Janjevë/Janjevo communities in skills development and practical knowledge training in traditional arts, craft production, sewing, embroidery, jewellery, souvenir-making, woodworks/craft and candle making/resin, tour guiding, and permaculture design;
• Certified 27 participants from Tour Guides and Permaculture Design training;
• Engaged 6 young men in on-the-job training in woodwork. 
• Janjevatourism.com web platform was created to showcase the diverse and abundant cultural heritage treasures of Janjevё/Janjevo.

Status:
Active

Time Frame:
December 2021 – November 2024

Where:
Janjevë/Janjevo

Focus Area:
Social Cohesion
Economic Development
Gender equality and women’s empowerment

Beneficiaries:
Inhabitants of Janjevë/Janjevo
Micro and Small Businesses

Partners:
Municipality of Lipjan/Lipljane
Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports
Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure
Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade
CSOs/NGOs

Donor(s):
European Union
The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports

Budget:
EUR 3,400,000

Contact:
Marta K. Gazideda
Governance and Peacebuilding Portfolio Manager/Deputy Programme Coordinator
marta.gazideda@undp.org 
+383 49 785 895

Valbona Shujaku
Project Manager 
Valbona.shujaku@undp.org
+383 45 357 926