|
Supported by: Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands
Time Frame: 26 months
Start Date: September 2009 End Date: December 2010
 Within the REA project was established the Bells Movement, which was supported by the regional environmental program of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bells Movement mission is to be the leader of sustainable development in the countries of the Western Balkans. Through various initiatives, actions and education, Bells members enable citizens of Westerns Balkans to fulfill their right to a healthy environment and better economic and social standards. Members of Bells Movement believe that there are no administrative borders or political party colors around environment issues. Only through dialogue, partnership, understanding and the harmonization with EU legislature we can achieve big positive changes on the national and regional level.
Some of the main activities held by Bells Movement in Albania
 - On December 7, 2009, Urban Research Institute acting as National partner under REA and Bells Movement, with the participation of the Ambassador of Netherlands Kingdom in Tirana and the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission for Economic Productions, Trade and Environment, organized a press conference to send a mutual message to Parliament, Government, political parties, civil society, other stakeholders and citizens', as well as to the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 15), to take measures for immediate action for adoption and mitigation to climate change effects.
- On February 17, 2010, was held the roundtable in order to establish the National Environmental Coalition in Albania, which consisted in various representatives, including the Parliament with members from the Democratic Party and the Socialist Party, representatives from local governments with several mayors, civil society, media, business representatives and other influential people. About 64 members of the National Environmental Coalition signed a Memorandum of Understanding, showing interest in establishing a lasting forum for discussion of environmental issues.
- On April 8, National Coordinator of the Movement Bells met with Mayor of Orikum, Mr. Kanan Braho, and some members of the City Municipal Council, to introduce the standards and goals of Bells-REA project. Mr. Braho signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Bells Movement, showing his interest in supporting environmental issues.
 - On April 29, Mayor of Korça, Mr. Niko Peleshi, was introduced with the standards of Bells Movement and also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, on showing desire and commitment of both parties to work together on environmental issues.
- On April 22-23, 2010, Bells Movement joined various activities organized during the Earth Day. National Coordinator made enhanced presentations on standards of Bells Movement and the work of the National Environmental Coalition at the Polis University and Agricultural University of Tirana. These meetings were also attended by Minister of Environment, Forests and Water, Mr. Fatmir Mediu.
- Another very important activity of the National Coordinator was held on April 28, 2010, when the objectives and work of the Bells Movement were introduced at a meeting with the Parliamentary Commission on Productive Activities, Trade and Environment in the Albanian Parliament. The focus of the meeting was the presentation of the bells standards for members of the commission, whom showed a particular interest for REA project.
- On May 13, 2010, was held the national roundtable of the National Environmental Coalition, called by the Institute for Urban Research and Bells Movement in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Management, to discuss the National Strategy and National Waste Management Plan in Albania. With the participation of about 80 people, the roundtable emphasized that the two documents have a special significance because of poor conditions in which the process of waste management is actually occurring in our country.
 - On June 5, 2010, Bells Movement organized a rock concert on World Environment Day, attended by over 250 people. This concert took place simultaneously in five other countries in the Western Balkans, in order to address to the Albanian decision makers the importance of environmental issues. During the concert more than 300 citizens signed a Declaration of Citizens: A document that requires decision makers, politicians and actors of interest to show more attention to the environment.
Some of the results of REA and Movement Bells project are:
-Enhanced trans-sectoral cooperation in the Western Balkan countries regarding on environmental issues;
- Enhanced regional cooperation and exchanging experience in environmental related policies and initiatives in the Western Balkan region;
-Increased the knowledge of the stakeholders and population of the Western Balkan on the EU environmental values and standards.
www.bellsmovement.org | 
