Shkodra Region Research Articles

THE MICROCREDIT AS A SHORT-TERMS INSTRUMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THE NORTH-WEST REGION OF ALBANIA: SHKODRA CASE

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the Earth's environment and climate, and ensure that people, regardless of location, can enjoy peace and well-being. Recently notice that Albanians tend to move abroad. Recent trend show that Albanians tend to move abroad. This is characteristic especially for the North of Albania. Shkodra region is a northwest part of Albania that is known for its wealth of natural recourses, culture and traditions. It is surrounded by a lake, a sea, and a river; also the people of Shkoder are called “The creedal of arts and knowledge”. But the poverty indicators prove the opposite. The poverty in this region is nearly 15 %, and the unemployment level is very high. People tend to leave Shkodra. They have land and professions but they don't have the property legality and cash to exploit these natural resources. To have a sustainable development region, the government needs to take measures to help people to work their lands and to create their company. Interviewing a sample of 200 people in rural areas in Shkodra (borrowers/not borrowers) we notice that microcredit has a short-term impact in increasing their incomes and consequently contributes to reduction of immigration. Before and after is the method used for impact analysis in order to reach the above conclusion.

Rethinking and inventing Territory, Infrastructure and Housing in the case of Post pandemic Region of Lezha (Albania)

The region of Lezhe is located in a strategic position of Albania. This region is bordered by the Region of Shkodra in the North, Kukesi in the Northeast, Dibra in the East, Durres in the South and the Adriatic Sea in the West. The favorable geographical position makes Lezha an important exchange node for the north-south and east-west traffic arteries. This favorable location, where the "blue corridor" is expected to pass and where the "Kombi" road currently passes, makes Lezha a strategic node for the future. In fact, the influence of the geographical position is currently felt in the economic and touristic development of Lezha. It is transforming rapidly by entering the global race of innovative cities. Beyond this development, which until now has been based on the regulations of various urban plans, this study brings several proposals and strategies that seek to transform Lezha into a resilient city that adapts to the state of post-pandemic cities. The proposals are divided into three categories that firstly affect Infrastructure and Services, secondly biodiversity and the environment and finally urban development and housing. These proposals are divided into two parts, since it was attempted to contain the comments or suggestions that were received from the meetings with the local actors.

Perceptions of COVID-19 Vaccines Side Effects

BACKGROUND: Vaccines are one of the best interventions developed for eradicating COVID-19. In Albania, COVID-19 vaccination uses different types of vaccines: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, CoronaVac, and Sputnik V. Like any other vaccine, these have side effects too. AIM: This study was carried out to identify the perception of the side effects of vaccines. METHODS: A quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and September 2021 to collect data on the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine among individuals in Shkodra region. Data were collected online through a self-administered survey created on Google Forms which had been randomly delivered to individuals (aged ≥18 years) using social media sites (Email and WhatsApp). All data collected were analyzed with Microsoft Office Excel 2010, using the exact Fisher’s test and ꭓ² test. RESULTS: This study included 292 citizens, out of which 200 were female and 92 were male; 62% were from urban areas and 38% from rural areas of Shkodra region. The random sample of the citizens who took part in this study is 44.5% (18−30 years old). A massive percentage of the participants, 66.4%, had received the second dose of the vaccine. Our study shows that 55.8% of these citizens have had side effects after the first vaccination dose, and only 43.8% have had side effects after the second dose. About 80.6% of the participants were well informed about the type of vaccine they got. CONCLUSIONS: Side effects from vaccines were reported. Injection site pain and fatigue were the most common first dose side effects (55.8%). The same side effects were reported for the second dose. The side effects were presented during the first 12 h after the vaccination in most cases. Side effects were more prevalent in people >50 years old. Older people have a higher probability to have more side effects from the COVID vaccine. There is no statistically significant relationship between gender and the presence of the side effect from the COVID vaccine. People living in urban areas have a higher probability to have side effect from COVID vaccine comparing with people living in rural areas. People being vaccinated with Pfizer vaccine have a higher probability to admit the presence of side effects.

Re-adjustment in the home country – The effects of return migration and transnationalism

AbstractThis paper analyses how returned and transnational migrants can affect development and social change in the home country. It focuses on the Shkodra Region in Albania. Returnees and transnational migrants use the financial and social capital acquired during migration as mechanisms to readjust in their home country, while at the same time affecting development and social change. The paper deals with a specific returnees’ group, entrepreneur-returnees, and raises some main research questions: How is the social and cultural capital gained during migration used while setting up new enterprises? In what scale does this capital determine the success of the undertaking?Acting as agents of development, these migrants have taken advantage of their migration experience, especially in the opening of new enterprises. This process has also involved the non-migrant population through the introduction of new employment possibilities and the transmission of new ideas and knowledge.

The Impact of Covid-19 pandemic on Inbound Tourism Development. Case of Shkodra Region

Since the COVID-19 spread, tourism has been hit particularly hard globally, also in Albania, in particular inbound tourism with a drastic drop in tourist arrivals out from the country because of travel restrictions, airport closures, nationwide lockdowns, health risks etc. There is evidence, that incoming tourism agencies in the tourism sector have registered lots of cancellations, decline in the visits and spending of tourists. To give a deep and practical insight related to whatabovementioned, this paper introduces a study on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic situation to the development of inbound tourism in Albania in general, and in specific in the region of Shkodra. The focus of the research was to analyse the challenges faced and changes made in the activity of some incoming tourist agencies in Albania which organize tourist visits in Shkodra region. For this paper was raised the hypothesis “Covid-19 changed the way of offering tourism”. The methodology used was primary research based on a survey completed by a sample of 25 incoming tourist agencies operating in Tirana and Shkodra city which organize tourist visits to Shkodra region, as well as the secondary research based on an analyse of books, journal articles, academic papers, web posts etc. Based on the findings of the study it resulted that incoming tourist agencies, negatively impacted because of pandemic spread, were changing their tourist offer, rearranging their offer by taking measures to be safely adapted considering Covid-19 situation, by making new planning of tourist group size, types of adequate segments, destinations to visit, promotional and price strategies etc. With the progression of vaccination of people, and improvement of the situation, the forecast for the future inbound tourism assume a start and gradual recovery albeit slow at first, during the summer and autumn 2021 with visits to friends and relatives; holiday visits, business trips.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Voluntary Blood Donation in Shkodra City

Blood is a liquid mass that is produced from the bone marrow and it circulates in our body. The only source for donation is by a human. In Shkodra City, the main donation is the family donation and about 400 units are provided by voluntary donation organized by the Albanian Red Cross, Shkodra Branch. These voluntarily donated units go mainly for people suffering with thalassemia. This study is a cross-sectional, transversal, punctual, and descriptive study. It was developed from January – March 2018 in Shkodra region among volunteer blood donors. The people who have been offered as volunteers of blood donation during this period (about one hundred people) have previously completed a standardized closed questionnaire. This questionnaire was self-reported with their permission. All the collected data was analyzed by SPSS version 20 Program.

Experiencing and Privately Remembering Late Albanian Socialism: A Study Based on Oral History Interviews in the Region of Shkodra

Abstract Based on interviews with 35 contemporary witnesses, this paper examines how Albanian socialism’s late phase (second half of the 1970s and first half of the 1980s) was subjectively experienced and is individually remembered today. It argues that despite harsh state repression and considerable impoverishment in this period, the communist regime enjoyed the loyalty of large sections of the country’s population. Furthermore, the paper suggests that many contemporaries have yet to come to terms with their experiences of that time. Their recollection narratives are predominantly characterised by uncertainties and contradictions, of which both individuals and society still have to make sense.

Strengthening Artisanry by Associating it with Tourism (Region of Shkodra)

Culture is one of the greatest assets of a country, and it has the potential to become a source of income, if it is managed effectively. The handcrafts of the Albanian artisanry are a part of our culture, but still far from having an effective role in the development of tourism. Associating artisanry with tourism is of great interest for the present, as well as the future of the Region of Shkodra, and studies to this end are important. The objective of this paper is to study the effect of the growth of tourism in the increase of sale of handcrafts. First of all, the paper intends to ascertain whether the tourism peak season brings also higher sales of handcrafts; second, whether the craftsmen recognize the tourist-customer; third, whether the craftsmen try to adjust their handcrafts to the tourist-customer requirements; fourth, what do the tourists think of such handcraft; and fifth, to ascertain the sales channel of the handcrafts in order to have a clear picture of what it takes for the artisanry products to move for the craftsmen to the customers and to identify unexploited potentials that would strengthen this industry. This research is based on secondary data sourced from the official sites of government and non-government organizations, and on primary data sourced through semi-structured interviews with artisanry experts, as well as on two surveys: one conducted with the craftsmen and the other one conducted with tourists. The results presented in this paper would help to recognize and understand the present situation of the artisanry in the Region of Shkodra, as well as serve as basis for some recommendations to further vitalize and develop this industry.

Aspects of Navigation Development in the Region of Shkodra during XVIII Century and the Beginning of XIX Century

Navigation, as a special type of transport has played a crucial role in the economic development of Shkodra region. Its great importance in this regard was mainly determined by two factors: The very favorable geographical position of the city of Shkodra in relation to the territorial extent of the surrounding region. Proximity to the lake with the same name and the Buna River in a navigable perennial character defined it as a transit port in the circulation of goods. Ulcinj, a town very near Shkodra, inherited a very rich tradition in the field of sailing and what was more important, it possessed a powerful merchant fleet capable of sailing not only in the Adriatic Sea, which for Ulcinj inhabitants constituted the so-called courtyard of the house1, but up to the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, visiting Istanbul, Cairo, Izmir, Alexandria etc. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s1p156

The Role of the Restaurant Sector in Promoting the Local Cuisine. The Case of Shkodra City

One of the key components in the development of gastronomic tourism is the promotion of the local cuisine. The use of the local food by restaurants is a significant way of promoting the local cuisine as well as establishing collaborative relationships with the local producers. This alternative leads also in the increase of the local production and in the improvement of the returns of their investment. Restaurants which use the local cuisine in their menus face an opportunity of marketing their menus, potentially leading to ongoing purchase of the local food. Shkodra as a touristic destination holds great potentials in the development of gastronomic tourism. This destination owns a large heritage in cuisine, in local food production, techniques of productions and a variety of recourses. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the willingness and ability of the restaurant managers to use and promote the local cuisine in their menus. Research was carried out through a questionnaire delivered in 39 restaurants registered in Shkodra region and in-depth interviews with chef restaurants and managers. The questionnaire was divided in two parts. The first part investigated the extent to which managers and chefs of restaurants assess the role of local food in their business. The second part of the questionnaire evaluates how much do local food affect tourists in the choice of a destination, according to managers and chefs restaurants. This was done to explore the possibility that Shkodra destination has to develop gastronomic tourism and the effect that tourism has in their business. The conclusion of this study was that the restaurants are integrating in their menus the local food because there is an increase in the demand for local produce. This study indicate that restaurants need to cause much more attention to this relationship as a better way to raise authentic experiences. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n2p327

Contribution of Austrian-Hungarian Empire in the development of Education in Shkodra till notification of the Independence of Albania

The relations of Shkodra region in the education’s field with Austrian-Hungarian Empire have had an early traditon. The attempt to identify this employment link brings some new fact in the context of this cooperation, over a period of time from 1850 to 1912, Albanian Declaration of Independence. Based on the time's statics, various writings,archival materials and documents to Vienna's archive, we are trying to identify the values of this contribution in education, in functioning and spreading of schools and allowing the Albanian language in schools that held the function on the basis of this contribution. It is important to be noted that these schools played an important role not only in the education of the new generation, but soon Shkodra turns into an important educational centre. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n3p368

Toxicity Bio-Monitoring of Shkodra Lake Surface Water Using a Higher Plant Assay

Health and quality of biota in natural ecosystems are directly affected by different kind of pollutants, accumulated because of uncontrolled releases into the environment of industrial effluents and urban waste, as well as by drainage, flooding, intensive farming and tourism. Bio-monitoring of Shkodra Lake water quality was done using Allium cepa L. assay. Bulbs were grown on surface water samples collected from six stations: S1-S3 at east and S4-S6 at west lake waterside, during August 2010-2013. The reaction of root meristematic tissue and its genetic material to the presence and quantity of potential cyto and genotoxic chemicals was done by evaluating macro and microscopic parameters, as: root length, mitotic and phase indexes, interphase nuclear volume, chromosome abnormalities frequency and types. The most toxic samples resulted 2011 and 2013 and the east waterside ones, which could be due to massive flooding during the respective years and the different trophy level between east and west lake basin sides. There were detected slight traces of toxic and persistent water chemical pollutants, serving as an alert of their possible bioaccumulation and negative impact on biota and human health. The A. cepa test could be successfully applied as a simple, short-term and inexpensive approach for environmental quality evaluation in developing areas and countries such as Shkodra region and Albania. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n8p133

The Role of Geography in Managing Spatial Development Processes: the Case of the Peri-urban Area of Shkodër City, Albania

This paper analyzes the spatial transformations that occurred in the peri-urban area of Shkoder city after 1990, particularly the Rrethinat commune, which has experienced the most dramatic social, economic and land use transformations in the Shkodra region during this period, along with Shkoder city itself. This is the first study undertaken for this area and it aims to examine the causes, the dynamics and the impact of these transformations on the community and on land use. Using a problem-resolving (applied) approach, the study finds that the most immediate problems that need to be addressed are: the lack of an administrative identity for this area, the high degree of economic, demographic and settlement informality and the lack of an adequate public infrastructure. It concludes by emphasizing the necessity to develop and carry out a general regulatory plan for this territory, as the final solution to all the above-mentioned problems, and as a way to achieve sustainable development.

The special interest tourism development and the small regions

It is easy to attract visitors when you have plenty of resources, nice accommodations, powerful selling tech­niques, many supporting sectors and of course reliable government support. The challenge starts when you lack most of the above and what you have is only a handful of beautiful natural resources, breathtaking sceneries, goodwill and a great desire and pride to show those visitors what your country is made of. How can we generate income using what we have? The answer is simple. You target that group of cus­tomers whom are specifically interested in what you have, beautiful views, heartfelt welcome, home like accommodations and very warm people. These customers do not look for fancy, expensive, overcrowd­ed hotels; they are in search of real beauty and nature. They have special interests and would like to ful­fill them toward a reasonable price. Hence starts the development of what is widely known as the special interest tourism whose analysis as a potential tool for the improvement of tourism in the region of Shkodra is the main purpose of this paper.

Comparisons of stakeholders' perception towards the sustainable tourism development and its impacts in Shkodra Region, Albania

Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries, and has been identified as a means of generating national income in less industrialized economies. Like other countries, Albania has promoted tourism as a major source of national income. The tourism industry in Albania currently focuses on coastal areas, rather than on the unique features that set this country apart from its neighbors. Albania's natural features have the potential to attract tourists seeking ecological and cultural experiences. Thoughtful, sustainable development of these resources could enhance community livelihoods throughout Albania. The purpose of this study was to discover if differences in perceptions of sustainable tourism development and principles in Shkodra Region existed between four stakeholder groups: residents, entrepreneurs, government officials, and tourists. Data were collected from stakeholders using a self competed questionnaire, which included Likert-style questions inquiring about attitudes and perceptions of sustainable tourism development in the community. The data gathered illustrate that the perception of sustainable tourism principles varies considerably among stakeholder groups. As a distinct stakeholder group, the majority of local residents generally were welcoming of tourism. .

The international operation in Albania, 1913–14

Following the Balkan Wars of 1912–13, the European powers created Albania as a neutral country under international administration. To force Serbia and Montenegro to respect the new country, a naval demonstration and blockade were ordered off the Montenegrin coast, and an international peace force was sent to the Shkodra region in the north. An international control commission was established, and a German nobleman, William of Wied, became prince of Albania. Although both William's rule and the international operation ended with the outbreak of the First World War, this incident is of interest today, partly because of parallels with contemporary efforts to pacify the Balkans.