New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Reconnecting with nature

Email user
info@reinforcesustainability.com

Basic information
Project title
MELI

Full Project Title
The Metamorphosis of the Ishem River - Tomorrow's itinerary

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
MELI is an example of sustainable engagement that shows how engaging young people in action-based initiatives can help to create a stronger sense of community and advocacy in local government. By connecting young people with the right tools, resources, and support, MELI has been able to inspire people to become active in their communities and build relationships between them and the local government on important issues such as the environment.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
National

Where was your project implemented?
Member State(s) and Western Balkans
Albania

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
Kamza Muncipality, Albania

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly rural

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
No

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
No

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2022-09-30

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): RESU - Reinforce Sustainability
  Type of organisation: Non-profit organisation
  First name of representative: Oljam
  Last name of representative: DERVISHI
  Gender: Male
  Nationality: Albania
  Function: Executive Director
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: St. "Arben Broci" Garden City, Apt. 59/A11 - 4. Kashar, Tirana
  Town: Tirana
  Postal code: 1001
  Country: Albania
  Direct Tel: +355 68 280 4336
  E-mail: oljandervishi1@gmail.com
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://reinforcesustainability.com/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Website
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/reinforce.sustainability/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Instagram
- URL: https://www.facebook.com/reinfrocesustainability
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Facebook
- URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/resuorg/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Linkedin
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Social Media

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
RESU brings together 25 young people from Albania with clear goals and great determination to bring positive changes in the environment, culture, economy, and public well-being. Sharing the same ideals and principles, we believe that problems are found and solved on the ground. RESU has voluntarily participated in several environmental initiatives. One of the most important actions currently being undertaken by us is focused on the Ishem river, in western Albania, which brings water to the northern area of the Albanian capital, Tirana. It is one of the most polluted in Europe by plastic waste which ends up in the sea. The group identified different illegal dumping sites along the river, wondering why this problem was not addressed or even barely discussed by the community. With the aim to address this problem and find a permanent solution, they decided to apply to Call for Applications Nr. 8 of LevizAlbania, a project funded by the Swiss Government through the "Swiss Office for Development and Cooperation", with a concrete idea to act. We named our initiative ‘The Metamorphosis of the Ishem River’. Our idea was focused on the Laknas area of Kamza municipality, where 3 illegal dumping sites were identified at that time. This initiative aims to promote the participation of citizens in local governance for the reduction of waste along the Ishem River basin and the development of an inclusive local democracy.
The performance and impact of this initiative were positively evaluated by the Embassy of Switzerland in Albania as a good example and success model for "Local Democracy" and we were invited at the opening event of the new Swiss-Albanian cooperation program for the next 4 years.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
Addressed local environmental issues

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Young people in community actions

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Mobilizing local community/local government

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Sustainable solution

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
Raising awareness

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
KO1. Raising awareness and mobilizing the local community - The evidence collected on community participation was compiled in a study report. 11 illegal dumping sites along the river were identified and mapped, the perceptions of residents and businesses regarding the problem were analyzed, and the effects on the health of the residents were studied through a scientific microbiological analysis of the quality of tap water. On behalf of these evidences, crucial issues and problems are directly presented to the residents in terms of the impact in their health and wellbeing in order the residents to undertake actions by themselves, i.e. tap water which was contaminated with microbiological organisms (e-coli). As a result, this leads to sustainable continuation of alike initiatives.
KO2. Engagement and awareness-raising of the younger generations - RESU conducted an environmental education training program for 47 students at the schools in Kamza. The students together with RESU activists and volunteers participated in 2 cleaning actions in the targeted area.
KO3. Creating and strengthening communication bridges with the local government. RESU understood clearly that a sustainable solution to the problem of the Ishem river required the involvement and commitment of the municipality of Kamza. Therefore, RESU required data from the municipality and had a meeting with the mayor together with community representatives which resulted to joint cleaning actions of one illegal dumping site on the chain RESU-COMMUNITY-MUNICIPALITY. The municipality agreed, accepted a request to place waste containers where the joint cleaning action was conducted, and established a dedicated working group where 3 other dumbing sites were removed with an amount to a total of 5 tons of waste per day.
KO4. Increasing environmental vigilance through local "Ambassadors"- 5 young local ambassadors from the community identified local problems presenting them to the relevant authorities.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
KO1. Raising awareness and mobilizing the local community - Door-to-door knocking on the houses of the residents who live near the illegal dumping sites, taking samples of the water they consume on their daily life's, made them more aware and got involved in our cause, taking part in all the subsequent actions. In an indirect way, they learnt the direct and indirect effects that illegal dumping sites and river pollution bring to them. It is of a significant importance to stress out the fact that the data collection was community-based (with and for the community).
KO2. Engagement and awareness-raising of the younger generations - Besides the education training program and cleaning actions, RESU gifted to all the high school students tote bags with the aim to not use plastic bags (nor them neither their families and/or friends).
KO3. Creating and strengthening communication bridges with the local government - Therefore, RESU kept the municipality “on the loop”. Representatives of the municipality were invited to the presentation of the project, cleaning actions with the community also RESU requested information about waste management. Additionally, RESU Activists and community representatives met the Mayor of Kamza to present the findings of the study discussed on possible ways forward towards solving the issue. After the meeting with the mayor, the group carried on with the communication by formally making a proposal for a joint action between the community and the municipality for the removal of one of the dumping sites in the area
KO4. Increasing environmental vigilance through local "Ambassadors" - In order to continue the pressure on the local government, RESU, together with the local ambassadors, will monitor and demand accountability for the removal of all illegal dumping sites.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
KO1. MELI involved over 30 young volunteers to knock door by door, talk to the residents about the problem, and gather something crucial for the continuation of the initiative: the facts. Throughout the implementation of this initiative, three young women took the lead on data collection, water samples and analysis, and writing the study report. The youngsters experience in data collection had a positive impact in terms of an all-inclusive process.
KO2. Engagement and awareness-raising of the younger generations - Beside the direct impact on the students, RESU on its social media raised a campaign with the hashtag #plasticbagnothanks. The lead of this education program was held by a young woman as well very active in community work.
KO3. Creating and strengthening communication bridges with the local government - The joint cleaning action undertaken along the dumping sites located in the area where a marginalized community lives ( Roma Community). This joint action helped them feel supported by the local government and that now they have a voice on the table.
KO4. Increasing environmental vigilance through local "Ambassadors"- The selection criteria of the Young Local Ambassadors was the age (under 25), and that the candidates should be residents (local-based). As due of fact, they had the responsibility to push ahead with other initiatives.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
Over 200 people in total have been engaged as part of this initiative including residents, activists, youth, university and high school students, other CSO activists, marginalized groups as well as local institutions to set a good example for a common cause. In total, 107 Women & Girls and 97 Men & Boys participated directly in the implementation of this initiative.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
During this activity, the main focus was the community and young people. Since the problem of storage sites is under the responsibility of local institutions, their involvement was more than necessary. Using social and visual media, this initiative received attention from the central government as well, qualifying the Ishmi basin as a priority for the upcoming years. Also, foreign CSOs, such as Ocean Cleanup, River Cleanup and Surfriders EU, have turned their focus to this catchment.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
This project was implemented by 10 young people, whose average age did not exceed 25 years. The profile of which was different starting from Communication expert and designer, Environmental experts, data analysts, trainers for decision-making and local advocacy Web-developer, and Video Maker. Also, a project which was managed by a group of 10 people and all young, with or without experience, had its own challenges. But challenges that were overcome successfully and with very positive results. Now this approach has turned into the spirit of the group from which the empowerment of young people is required in different directions.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
The results achieved
• 146 young people physically present in the activities
• 22 volunteers involved in realized activities
• 4 cleaning actions in total + 1 cleaning action in cooperation with LevizAlbania and People In Focus NGO.
• 5 Local Ambassadors, as well as other students, were informed about Advocacy methods at the local level.
• 25 residents were informed about the steps they could follow to hold the local government accountable.

Expected Indirect Results/ Achieved Results
• 3 landfills cleaned and rehabilitated by the local government.
• +20 trees planted, as well as/Included in the Closure and Rehabilitation plan
• +5 new containers placed in Laknas/ 18 containers included in the closure and rehabilitation plan

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://reinforcesustainability.com/aktivitetet-meli/
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
The involvement of young people in each step of the development of this initiative was one of the inspiring elements for the continuation of this project. this involvement was towards the aspect of creativity that these young people brought to the realization of this initiative, especially in the visual products where non-professionals show their talents. Another innovative aspect was the facts collected together with the community for the community, making them even more aware of the actions they take against the environment.

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
Due to the lack of waste management, awareness, and communication within the communities and the local government, large amounts of toxic household waste are ending up in the Ishem River, harming human health, the environment, the climate, and the country's economic growth. Therefore, in order to fulfill the purpose and objectives of the initiative, the main methodological approaches implemented by RESU were: 1. Identification of a pilot unit in the project implementation area based on some basic criteria, which are: The problem of existing within the jurisdictional framework of the municipality, analysis of existing infrastructure and social inclusion (marginalized groups and youth) 2. Research, sampling and data collection. Research on the effects that illegal waste sites have on the health, environment and economy of the population. RESU will use qualitative and quantitative data to gather information on the level of awareness and knowledge of the legal tools that the local community possesses. Questionnaires for the residents have been drafted and will be finalized after the approval of the project. 3. Trainings and discussions with the local community. Focus groups will be identified with which trainings will be conducted on the follow-ups of the questionnaires and discussions on the formation of groups that will engage in the improvement of local democracy.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.
Identifying problems on the field and solving them on the field, with the community that lives there. This spirit increases the essence of involvement in decision-making and teaches people what path they should follow to act and to advocate in decision-making institutions.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
According to Ocean Clean up, there are a full 503,000 kg/year of plastic waste that the Ishem River transports to the Adriatic Sea, placing it at the top of the list in Europe as the main contributor of plastic that ends up in the Ocean. Improper dumping of waste and illegal dumping along the river are the reasons that keep us at the top of this list. Since this phenomenon has also affected Europe, local initiatives become necessary in countries similar to Albania. Illegal landfills should be a phenomenon encountered in history books and not in our daily reality.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
- Versioni-Final-Raport-Vlerësimi-mbi-menaxhimin-e-mbetjeve-në-zonën-e-Laknas.pdf
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes