Leaders of the Roma community, representatives of Roma civil society organizations and of the municipality task force and community action group in Elbasan planted today 100 pine trees to contribute to the reforestation of the area of Kraste e Madhe affected by last years wild fires.

The activity was organized by the Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA) as the support organisation of the joint European Union/Council of Europe ROMACTED Programme “Promoting Good Governance and Roma Empowerment at Local Level”. This small action was at the same time the first activity of ROMACTED in the Municipality of Elbasan.

Blendi Klosi, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Claus Neukirch, Head of Council of Europe Office in Tirana and Bledar Taho, Executive Director of IRCA greeted the reforestation and symbolically planted the first trees.

The Head of Council of Europe Office put emphasis on the engagement of the Council of Europe in  promoting human rights, democracy and rule of law and supporting the European Union path of Albania saying that this local event marks a symbolic value and at the same time appeals to the participation of Roma in such community actions  and their further engagement to contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of projects and actions affecting them.

The Executive Director of IRCA highlighted the necessity of the decent living conditions of Roma neighbourhoods in Albanian municipalities and the importance of the early education of Roma children on environmental care.

Minister Klosi, reiterated that this activity was part of the nationwide campaign of forestation of Albania with 2,200,000 trees and the the environmental programs coordinated by this ministry.

This community event will be followed by forthcoming local activities in the Municipality of Elbasan.