Kacinar Profile

Kaçinar

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20, Tiranë, AlbaniaP.o. Box 7451 - Tel: (04 2229077) - Mob: 06920421190E-mail: [email protected] - Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçinar Commune, Mirditë, AlbaniaTel: 0216 29903E-mail: [email protected]

Kaçinar KAÇINAR

COMMUNEPROFILE

Kaçinar KAÇINAR

COMMUNEPROFILE

Publisher: Qëndra për Bashkëpunim ndërmjet Komuniteteve, Autoriteteve Lokale dhe OJF-ve

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20Tiranë, ShqipëriP.o. Box 7451Tel: 04 2229077Mob: 06920421190E-mail: [email protected]: www.cangoalbania.org

Graphic Design: Studio “Tartari”Printed: GentgrafikEdition: 250 Kopje

All rights reserved. The contents of this booklet may be freely used for non profitable intentions, provided each reproduction acknowledges CANGO as copyrighter.

LAÇ

LEZHË

MIRDITË

KUKËS

PUKË

SHKODËR

BURREL

KRUJË

DURRËS

PESHKOPI

Klos

Reps

Kurbnesh

Perlat Qendër

Rëshen

Kaçinar

Rubik

N

E

S

W

KAÇINAR COMMUNEPROFILE

This publication was supported by CANGO with fonds from CAFOD UK Catholis Agency of England and Wales for Oversas Development

Centre for Collaboration between Communities, Local Authorities & NGO-s

Page

I- Acknowledgments 3

II- Background 4

III- Religion 6

IV- Geographical Description 8

V- Climate 10

VI- Natural Resources 11

VII- Demography 15

VIII- Infrastructure 17

IX- Agriculture and Stockbreeding 18

X- Economic Development 19

XI- Education 21

XII- Health service 22

XIII- Culture and Tradition 23

XIV- Local Government 27

XV- Relations with Donors 24

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 I Kaçinar Commune Profile

The Center for Collaboration between Communities, Authorities and NGOs (CAN-

GO) would like to thank all the professionals involved in the preparation of this

Profile for their valuable assistance. Without their help and support it would have

been impossible to gather all the necessary information for this publication.

We would like to express our gratitude to the representatives of the Commune of

Kaçinar, in particular to Mayor Kastriot Ndoji, for their fruitful collaboration and data

gathering.

Thanks are also due to our consultants Artan Rroji from Urban International As-

sociates (UIA) who led the working group for the drafting of this Profile and Lindita

Oshafi for her enlightening discussions and feedback, in particular for her input and

review of the draft Profile.

Finally, the findings of this document are the views of the representatives of the

Commune of Kaçinar and CANGO and do not necessarily reflect the position of

CAFOD UK which funded the work for the development and publication of this

document.

November 2008

Acknowledgments

Ackn

owle

dgm

ents

Centre for Collaboration between Communities, Local Authorities & NGO-s

Kaçinar Commune Profile I 3

Kaçi

nar Fo

rew

ord

Dear reader,

we are pleased to present hereby our Commune’s profile which

summarizes the history, the current situation and the perspec-

tives of Kaçinar. This booklet was prepared along with the Stra-

tegic Plan for the Economic Development of Kaçinar Commune

which integrates long and short-term development priorities with

each other as well as with various projects to be implemented or

already under implementation in our villages.

Local governance benefits citizens when it is based on a strategic vision and plan designed in consul-

tations with all interested stakeholders.

This profile and the Strategic Plan were dealt with as priorities as they are very important strategic

documents. The Plan shall serve as a constitution that will govern all development policies. Both the

documents are fruit of a long process of discussions and consultations with prominent intellectuals,

local government staff, community members, interest groups and individuals interested in the devel-

opment of Kaçinar.

I would like to thank the task force involved in the design of the profile and of the Strategic plan for the

Development of the Commune. Without their contribution, this work would not have been feasible.

In my name and on behalf of all the stakeholders in this project, I would like to also express my grati-

tude to the staff and experts of the non-governmental organization CANGO who invested their exper-

tise and funds for this publication.

Kastriot Ndoji

Mayor of Kaçinar

I. Foreword

Kaçinar Mayor


KKaçinar commune has seven villages: Shtuf, Arrëz, Kaçinar and Shëngjergj, which once were part of

the Dibra bayrak1; Simon and Kuzhnen of the Kuzhnen bayrak; and Shpërdhaza with inhabitants of

different origins. It formerly included also Bukmira.

II- Background

Originally Kaçinar was a village with old neighbourhoods; later on it gradually started to have the traits of a Mirdita microregion. Both in old and new adminis-trative divisions, Kaçinar has always been a center: parish center, zone center, agricultural cooperative center, center of the United People’s Council and commune center. In the 30’s

Simon used to be commune center and for awhile played the role of a locality. Kuzhnen has been center of the same-name bayrak.

Though belonging to differ-ent bayraks (Kuzhnen, Dibër, Orosh), the inhabitants of Kaçi-nar are all Mirditors, hence they share the same customs and traditions, the same lifestyle and

spiritual values, with only minor differences.

Archaeologists, historians, schol-ars and celebrities who have over the years visited the region hold that Kaçinar subregion is a dwell-ing place dating back to before the Christ. Archeological findings, historical records on religious objects, citadels and many top-onyms evince its antiquity.

Museun items Archaelogical objects

1. Bayrak – old administrative-military division

Back

grou

nd


Kaçi

nar

The name Kaçinar derives from a kind of plane-tree called çi-nar, now preserved as a nature monument. In the past, when someone arrived in Kaçinar, people there were wont to ask him whether he had passed along the «upper path» or «çi-nar’s path». This is how the commune’s toponym came into being and the people liv-ing between the upper course of Shpërdhaza and its inter-section with Big Fan river were called Kaçinaras. This term ap-pears in Turkish administration documents of 1467, and latter on in documents of 1516. Many

documents, museum and ar-cheological archives, books and other valuable publications bear witness to the antiquity of Ka-çinar. The whole administrative unit Kaçinar belonged to, was named after it.

In the year 1972, the mine of Kaçinar became an industrial area and a small town of min-ers. As a result, infrastructure and services (schools, postal services, shops, dental clinics, pharmacies and communal utili-ties) developed.

As from 1992, Kaçinar is a com-mune and one of the seven administrative units of Mirdita, with approximately 4100 inhab-itants.

Local Architecture Plane tree, Kaçinar centerBa

ckgr

ound


KIII- Religion

Kaçinar is an ancient religious place. Many religious objects, shrines and catholic toponims testify to

this. In Meshurdh, Zhonëz and Shpërdhazë one can still see remains of old catholic churches. Toponims

such as Kishëz (Chapel), Kodër Kishë (Church Hill) are further testimony of this area’s Catholicism.

Church Simon

Relig

ion


Kaçi

nar

Archaelogical excavations in Meshurdh, near Simon village, and subsequent researches and studies show that life there used to be dynamic and religion con-solidated. According not only to hearsay but also to Vatican doc-uments, the oldest church there dates back to 1200. Therefore it is one of the oldest religious in-stitutions in Mirdita and beyond. The year 1461 inscribed on the Kaçinar’s parish church bell do-nated by the Vatican, further attests to an ancient religious civilization. In historical docu-ments mention is also made of the church of Shëngjergj and the school of Jesuits. Renowned clerics from this area, such as Dom Zef Gjinali, Dom

Prend Brunga, Father Ambroz Marlaska, Dom Nikoll Perlaska, Dom Mark Shtufi and Dom Zef Shtufi, have played an important role not only in religion but also in politics, history, literature, linguis-tics and in the national cause. Dom Zef Gjinali, as presented in the study of writer Ndue Dedaj, was the first Mirdita parish priest ordanied bishop and awhile served as abbot of the Orosh abbey. Father Ambroz Marlaska, from the village of Kuzhnen, was both a devout Catholic mission-ary and a famous scholar of phi-losophy, history and linguistics. He became rector of the Univer-sity of Rome and in the 20’s was member of the Albanian Parlia-ment. The last parish priest serv-ing in Kaçinar was Dom Prend Qafalia. In 1967, along with oth-

er clerics, he was condemend by the communist regime. Religious activities resumed in 1990, after the downfall of com-munism. Dom Simon Jubani was the first priest to say Mass in Kaçinar and took good care of the spiritual revival of his paris-honers.

Parish Priest’s house Church Simon

Relig

ion


KIV- Geographical Description

Kaçinar lies on a broken multiform terrain made up of valleys, gorges, slopes, lakes, torrents, rivers,

meadows, fields, pastures and rocks. The villages of Kaçinar, Simon, Shtuf and Shpërdhazë are in the

low part, whereas Shëngjergj, Arrëza and Kuzhnen are on the hilly-mountain part. To prevent erosion,

new forests have been planted and dikes constructed in the hills. Forests and pastures occupy the

largest part of the area.

Intersection of Shtuf and Arrëz torrents

Geo

grap

hica

l Des

crip

tion


Kaçi

nar

Shtuf and Arrëz torrents flow throgh Kaçinar respectively in its west and east. Shtuf torrent forms a really interesting water-fall. At Ndredi’s bridge both the torrents join the Shpërdhazë river which, along its course, is also joined by torrents, becom-ing thus the main water-collec-tor in the area. Many torrents (Zhurr, Veroz, etc.) and rivers (Gjadër, Lumagjin, etc.) spring from the Kaçinar Highland, The lowest quota, 200 metres above the sea level, is at the intersection of Shpërdhazë river with Big Fan river; the highest, 1401 above the sea-level, in the north, at the Mishilor Summit. That is why natural and cultivat-

ed vegetation as well as fauna have propitious conditions for development. Kaçinar borders with Orosh, Gjegjan, Puka Highland, Vela and Ndërfan. Its northern part is the dividing border between Mirdita and Puka. Kaçinar is also connected with other adminis-trative units, such as Rrëshen Municipality and Orosh, Gjegjan and Ungrej communes. Geographically, Kaçinar borders in the north with the Meadow of Hamza and the upper course of Gjadër river; in the west with the Kaziu Torrent, as well as Kaluer and Pacaj neighborhoods; in the south with the Col of Vor-

rëz uphill to Shpërdhazë, Buk-mirë and Cekaj; in the east with Small Kuzhnen (Voza), Fan i Madh and Pëshqesh. Administratively, Kaçinar bor-ders with Puka Highland in the north, with Rrëshen Munici-pality in the south, with Orosh Commune in the east, with Un-grej Commune in the west; with Ungrej and Vrith in the north-west; with Rëshen Municipality in the south-west; with Rrëshen Municipality and Orosh Com-mune in the south-east.

Kaçinar neighbourhood, Foilet

Geo

grap

hica

l Des

crip

tion


K

Average annual temperatures fluctuate between 10 and 110C. The winter is generally cold and lasts up to 90 days, with under zero temperatures reaching to minus 18°C. The coldest winters on record are that of 1963 as regards the ice and that of 1985 as regards the snow thickness. The snow thick-ness varies from 20cm to 1m. The water starts to melt away from April 15 onwards. Strong and cold winds blowing mainly from the east, north and north-east do not prevent the vegetations of all kinds (wild plants, fruit and olive trees) from growing all through the year. In 1953, a metereological station was set up in Simon. It has simple equipment and furnishes data to the Tirana Metereologocal Station.

V- Climate

Kaçinar belongs to the paramountain mediterranean zone. The Big Fan valley and its opening south-

westwards have a great impact on its climate. The warm winds blowing along the valley create climate

equilibriums which bring about the growth of vegetation all through the year, especially the growth of

the Mediterranean scrub.

Vorra Col Mountain stones

Clim

ate


Kaçi

nar

ThThe highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen are the flattest and richest areas in Mirdita and all Northern

Albania. They abound in forests and and tablelands such as Big Laja and Small Laja.

Flora and Fauna

Vegetation in Kaçinar thrives thanks to the favourable climate and terrain conditions. There grow all sorts of vegetation belts which hither and thither intertwine together. In the south, south-west and south-east, the scrub and holm belt together with some hetero-oil plants occupy almost three-quarters of the land covered with vegetation. In the mountain belt there are shrubs, medicinal and hetero oily plants. Sumach, savory and thyme occupy a considerable area and until the 90’s a great part of the revenues were generated from them. The scrub mountain belt is green all through the year.

VI- Natural Resources

Pine forest, Shëngjergj View, Kaçinar

Natu

ral R

esou

rces


There grows the strawberry tree whose fruit is used for the production of raki consumed locally and successfully sold.

The thickets house a rich fauna. The fox, hare, jackal, boar and roe can be found in all vegetation belts and this makes the area attractive for hunting.

Communal and state forests occupy respectively 5985 and 6000 ha areas. The Highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen have conifers and beech trees. There grows the bilberry, a rare hetero-oily plant. The center of the Commune is not so rich in vegetation. It has only pines and acacias planted by the area inhabitants and the forest enterprise. Therefore it is necessary to plant other trees.

Mine, Kaçinar

Natu

ral R

esou

rces

2. raki - Albanian brandy


Kaçi

nar

Minerals

Kaçinari’s basement is made up of intrusive and effusive rocks. They are mostly covered by scrappy clay packages and other sedi-mentary and magmatic rocks.

A number of zones have ultraba-sic and basic rocks, but the most peculiar are those of Mollëz. Very compact magmatic, troctolite and gabro rocks can be found in Arrëz and Kuzhnen. They are mostly of medium resistance, but there are also of high resis-tance. The solidity coefficent var-ies from medium in ultrabasics to high in troctolites and gabros.

Their friability coefficent, the elasticity and mollification mod-ule make them fit construction materials, mainly as decorative stones for coating. At present, workable reserves amount to around 40 milion ton.

The first archeologic expeditions in the Kaçinar area were made by Franc Nopça in 1905-1907, mainly for coloured minerals, since its seems that the local inhabitants have constructed ov-ens to melt copper from ancient times, perhaps since the late ne-olyth. In 1958 Russian special-ists made intensive researches and performed excavations in Qaf-Vorrëz. The Rubik geology

specialists resumed researches in 1966 and in 1967. They first expedition with 7-8 drills. After 3 years they drew the conclusion that there were coper reserves for 20 years. Research expeditions for cop-per, gold, asbestos have also been made in Cekaj Gjazhdë, Gjazuj, Rrebiqe, Beqiraj, Ndredi bridge, Arrëz and Shtuf. In the last years Kaçinar has aroused interest not only for its copper, asbestos and gold re-serves but also for metalors such as decoration stones, clays, silicons. In the 80’s silicon was broadly used for coper melting metallurgy needs.

Stones, Mollëz Torrent, Arrëz

Natu

ral R

esou

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KWater Network and Hydrography

Kaçinar has a rich hydrograph-

ic natural network made up of

water-collectors, rivers, tor-

rents and streams flowing nord-

southwards. Their waters never

fail, but are abundant mainly in

autumn, winter and spring.

Shtufi torrent in the upper part ramifies into two branches: Bena torrent and Sharra torrent. Its wa-ters are used for irrigation. There are also other torrents: those of Arrëz, Beqiraj, Plakza, Gur i Zi and of the Simon school called also the Gjashët torrent. At some point of their course they join to-gether forming the Shpërdhazë river. It meanders across a deep and narrow valley until it joins with Big Fan river. Its water regime varies from 64.8 m/sec in the hu-mid season to 7.7 m/sek flow in the dry season. All these waters, through irrigation channels, irri-gate almost the whole cultivable land of Simon, Kuzhnen, Shpërd-hazë, Arrëz and Kaçinar.

A water-collector of 60 ha irriga-tion capacity was constructed in Shëngjergj before the 90’s. Kaçi-nar’s hydrographic network can also be used for the production of pure electrical power. Waters flow all over the year because the highlands of Kaçinar and Ku-zhnen are covered with snow for more than 3-4 months.

Canyon, Shtuf River Shpërdhazë River

Natu

ral R

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rces


Kaçi

nar

KFrom the ancient times to this day, Kaçinar has been uninterruptedly inhabited. Part of the population

has very early emigrated in the sorrounding area. Kaçinar, Simon and Kuzhnen are family names in

the area of Lezhë and Kurbin, a fact that proves such a movement. But the opposite phenomenon has

also taken place since poeple from other areas, such as from the Plain of Dukagjin etc., have arrived

and settled down in Kaçinar.

The local population has not been affected by the Turkish-Slavic occupations. Ethnically, the popula-tion is entirely of Albanian nationality. Before the 1990-s there were no migration move-ments. But afterwards movement became a norm as people started to leave for other parts of the country or abroad. Most of them settled in lowland cities: Lezhë, Tiranë, Durrës, Shkodër and only a few of them moved to the south. Many young po-eple have gone abroad hoping to improve their liv-ing conditions.

As a result of migration, emigration and the current low birth rate, the average age in the area has gone up. In the low birth rate the new family-planning mentallity has also its share. After the 90’s, 51% of the population are males, 49% females.

Table no. 1 Population’s Development Trend over years

Nr YearInhabi-

tantsMale %

Fema-les

%Number of

families

1 1990 4,998 2,070 51.7 1,928 48.3 917

2 1995 4,632 2,364 51 2,268 49 1,140

3 1998 3,618 1,879 51.9 1,739 48.1 905

4 2000 3,487 1,817 52 1,670 48 843

5 2004 3,294 1,667 50.6 1,627 49.4 763

6 2005 3,015 1,543 51 1,474 49 531

7 2006 2,601 13,019 50.3 1,292 49.7 464

8 2007 2,323 1,202 51.7 1,121 48.3 428

Source: Kaçinar Commune

VII- Demography Dem

ogra

phy

Community gatherin, Kaçinar


Source: Kaçinar Commune Source: Kaçinar Commune


Chart no.1 Population Structure by village

Table no 2. Number of Inhabitants by village

Villages Total Females Malesj Number of Families

Kaçinar 390 191 189 70

Simon 513 260 253 99

Arrëz 500 259 241 96

Kuzhnen 254 103 151 48

Shtuf 226 103 123 62

Shengjergj 326 154 172 52

Shpërdhazë 252 111 141 58

Total 2,451 1,181 1,270 485

Tabela no. 3 Population Indicators

No VillageFamilies Inhabitants

1990 2005 1990 2005

1 Kaçinar 70 390

2 Simon 99 513

3 Arrëz 96 500

4 Kuzhnen 48 254

5 Shtuf 62 226

6 Shëngjergj 52 326

7 Shpërdhazë 58 252

Commune 917 485 2461

Shëngjergj13%

Shpërdhazë10%

Kaçinar16%

Simon22%

Arrëz20%

Kuzhnen10%

Shtuf9%

Dem

ogra

phy


Kaçi

nar

Infra

stru

ctur

e

VIII- InfrastructureKaçinar connects with the Milot-Kukës national thoroughfare at the road above Ndërfushas village, 2 km far from the Big Fanit bridge. The commune center is connected with the villages under its jurisdic-tion through byroads.



Road networkRoad networkNdredi Bridge

Table No 4. Kaçinar commune road network structure

No Road Length (km)

1 Kaçinar-Kuzhnen 6.5

2 Kaçinar-Arrëz 2.3

3 Kaçinar-Shtuf 3

4 Simon-Shpërdhazë 3.5

5 Qafë-Vorrëz-Shëngjergj 4.5

6 Arrëz-Lajë 4

7 Arrëz – Bjeshkë 4

8 Shëngjergj – Kalur 3.8

9 Bukmirë - Shpërdhazë 3.2

10 Arrëz – Qafë-Logu 3.3

11 Simon –L.Preçaj 2

Tabela nr.5 Struktura e rrjetit rrugor 2007

No Road name Length km Cover

1Bukmirë –Kaçinar

13Chippings +

pavement

2Kaçinar –Arrëz

4Chippings +

pavement

3 Kaçinar – Shëngjergj 4.5 Pavement

4 Simon – Shpërdhazë 4 Pavement

5 Arrëz – Shegjan 5 Pavement

6 Kaçinar – Shtuf 4 Pavement

7 Bukmirë –Shpërdhazë 3 Pavement

8 Arrëz - Bjeshkë 5 Pavement

9 Arrëz – Bjeshkë 4 Pavement

10 Shëngjergj – Kalur 3.8 Pavement

11 Bukmirë - Shpërdhazë 3.2 Pavement

12 Arrez – Qafë-Log 3.3 Pavement

13 Simon –L.Preçaj 2 Pavement


KIX- Agriculture and Stockbreeding

Kaçinar people are real agriculture workers. Fruticulture, especially the nut and grape are famous in all the region.

Table no.6 Agriculture and Breeding Production

Year 2005 Year 2007

Nr Article Quantity (kv)

1 Cereals 440 375

2 Grape 1,488 1,308

Table no.7 Agriculture Indicators

Village

Land area(ha)

Cultivated land area

(ha)

Comunal Pastures

Cereals Fodder No of agriculture economies

93 ha 2001 2005 93 2005

1 Arrëz 56 46 46 100

2 Kacinar 76 40 40 70

3 Kuzhnen 40 24 24 47

4 Simon 77 41 41 102

5 Shëngjergj 100 45 45 52

6 Shtuf 23 15 15 62

7 Shpërdhazë 108 48 48 58

Commune 480 259 259 145 122 80 21 84 491

Source : Kaçinar Commune

Source : Kaçinar Commune

Agric

ultu

re a

nd S

tock

bree

ding

Supply with electrical power

Kaçinar Commune is supplied with electrical power through a high tension line of 30,000 kw/h coming from Rrëshen. The substation was con-structed in Qafë-Vorrëz in 1970. Villages are sup-plied with power through 10,000 kv/h booths

Bridges

Having a large hydrografic network, Kaçinar com-mune has many bridges. Great efforts have been made to improve them. In 2006, 200 metres from the commune center, a motorbridge of standard engi-neering parameters was constructed with funds from the Commune (10%) and the Albanian Development Fund (90%). Bridges and road infrastructure have been the most important priorities in the last 17 years. Auto-bridges have been built in Kuzhnen and Arrëz, and footbridges in Shpërdhazë and elsewhere.


Kaçi

narTh

X- Economic Development

The Kaçinar Commune population lives in villages and is engaged in agriculture, stockbreed-

ing, viticulture and fruticulture.

Komuna përballet me vështirësi për zhvillimin ekonomik si rezultat i:

It is still poor because of(i) the commune’s remote geographical position which prevents local productions from being com-petitive in the market and (ii) unemployment. Money from emigrants re-mains an important financial income for families.

Agriculture. It is the main economic sector in the commune. More than 80% of the population are small farmers. Climate and land quality are propi-tious to the growth apple, grape, prune, hazelnut which cover a 300 ha surface area. The rich vegetation is suitable for cattle breed-ing (goats and sheep). Bovine breeding has ideal conditions for growth in the highland of Kaçinar

and its sorroundings. Breeding complexes for up to 30,000 goats, sheep and bovine may very well be built in places such as Boka, Laja of Kaçinar, Shtera, Meshurdhi and Suk-Mun. As a result, diaries may reopen and meat and milk products become competitive. The vegetation favours also the beebreeding. Years ago Kaçinar alone used to produce all Mirdita’s planned honey.

Bussiness and Local Products. The market sector provides employement to 8% of the work force. Only a small number of them work in the transport sector. Education and health, the only two sectors that used to provide permament employment in the area, are now less and less offering employment opportunities.

Simon Field with corn and maize, Siomon

Eco

nom

ic D

evel

opm

ent


Current workforce numbers 1289 individuals, whereof 1210 are unemployed. Kaçinar Commune has plenty of natural resourc-es and potentials for economic development on the whole and tourism development in particular. Collection and processing of sumach, savory, thyme, bilberry, red and black juniper are a very advantageous economic potential. Collection of medicinal herbs would stirr businessmen to invest in their processing, creating 6-month employments for 200 people. Before the 90’s, this activity gener-ated 40% of the total commune revenues.

Wood working tradition has attracted the attention of many specialists. Revival of the ancient tradi-tion would ensure employment and income to the community especially to women and girls who could work in small workshops for the production of national customs and other specialties. 40 million tons of workable reserves of ultrabasic and basic rocks in Kaçinar are also a great poten-tial. They may replace granulated materials and

be used for façade decorations and pavement.

Mountain tourism Thanks to its rare touristic beau-ties ranging from vegetation of all kinds to fresh climate, crystal clear waters, forests and a multi-form relief, Kaçinar commune is very attractive for mountain tourism. The Lake of Shkodër and the Adriatic Sea are visible to the naked eye from the highland. Be-cause of the snow and the existence of foxes, hares, jackals, boars and roes, the highland is appropriate for skiing and hunting. The Medow of Hamza, Big and Small Laja, and Kabash Meadow are splendid places for the construction of sum-mer camps with portable tents, of wooden alpine houses with traditional house fittings, and of out-door sports facilities.

Access to the highlands of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen is possible by three main roads: that of Rreshën (30 km), of Puka (20 km) and of Gjegjan 20 (km). Investments in road infrastructure and the con-struction of a cableway would make the area all the more attractive.

Livestock, Kaçinar Vineyard

Econ

omic

Dev

elop

men

t


Kaçi

nar E

duca

tion

The field of Laja, Big and Small Laja, may be used for airport services of low intensity. And the famous hot spring there could attract tourists.

The highland with its beauty and breeziness is a more than suitable place for the organization of re-gional activities such as the Cheese Supper, Miss Laja, Contests with Rams and livestock fairs.

ThXI- EducationThe first schools in the Commune were opened in Simon and Kaçinar in the early ‘20s. The school of Si-

mon was opened at the place called Kepi i Shelnave. In 1922 a school was also openend in Kuzhnen.

Some of first teachers were Kolë Zadrima, Kolë Kadare, Simon Dabërdaku and Luigj Kosniqi. Preng Ndue Prenga (Nikolli) from Kaçinar played an important role in the development of educa-tion. He worked as teacher in Kossovo and as head of the Education Department of Mirdita’s Subprefecture. Prengë Ndue Nikolli (Gjinali) and Dodë Tuçi taught respectively in the schools of Kaçinar and Kuzhnen opened in 1946.

In the year l960, a 7-year school was opened in the village of Kaçinar, followed six years later by the opening of a school in Simon, and subsequently by schools opened in Kuzhnen and Shëngjergj. That

is the time when pedagogical education of the first teachers commenced. In the 80’s, a high school of global and agriculture profile was opened in the the commune center. It had 400 pupils. So the total number of pupils at-tending primary, secondary or high school in the commune rose above 1,000.

After the 90’s, mainly as result of migration in other parts of the country, the number of pupils and teach-ers dropped.

Currently there are three 9-year schools in Simon,

Table 8: Pupils in Kaçinar Commune in 1953

Village Pupils Females

Simoni 47 20

Kaçinari 92 37

Shëngjergji 25 8

Kuzhneni 40 16

TOTAL 204 81

“Father Ambroz Marlaskaj” School, KaçinarSource: Kaçinar Commune


Kaçinar and Arrëz and three primary schools in Kuzhnen, Shtuf and Shëngjergj. Their physical conditions have been greatly improved. The 9-year school of Simon was reconstructed with funds from the European Bank, the 9-year school of Arrëz with funds from the Austrian Caritas, and the schools of Shëngjergj and Kuzhnen with state budget funds. The Commune has 200 university graduate specialists.

Table no.9: Structure of pupils in Kaçinar in 2007

Village Secondary (9 year) schools

Primary schools

Pupils Females Pupils Females

Arrëz 76 30 30 19

Kaçinar 75 36 31 14

Simon 78 40 39 21

Kuzhnen 5 2 5 2

Shtuf 8 3 8 3

Shëngjergj 15 8 15 8

Table no.10: Structure of teachers in 2007

No Schools TeachersUniversity Graduates

High school Graduates

1 Kuzhnen 5 5

2 Arrëz 12 6 6

3 Kaçinar 8 5 3

4 Shtuf 1 1

5 Shëngjergj 4 2 2

6 Simon 11 2 9

Educ

atio

n

NXII- Health service

Only first aid services are available in Kaçinar commune. At the disposal of the community is a general practitioner at the health center and a nurse in each village outpatient clinic.

Health care

Heal

th s

ervi

ce




Kaçi

nar

Cultu

re a

nd T

radi

tion

SXIII- Culture and TraditionSimon, Kaçinar and Arrëz used to have developed handicrafts, especially for felt processing and for the production of a variety of traditional customs. Their wood-working craftsmen were famous for room and façade decorations.

Tower Kaçinar Museum items

Loca

l Gov

ernm

ent

KXIV- Local Government

There are seven villages in the Commune. Kaçinar village is the Commune Center and houses the local government offices and administration. As a structure, the local government was established in the year 1992. Its Council and Mayor are elected by the community. It has 12 staff members, 5 service workers and 7 village chairmen.

Kaçinare Commune


XV- Relations with Donors

ThThe local government has established good relations with foreign and domestic donors operating in Alba-

nia. The donors who have contributed the most are:

Albanian Development Fund. It has contributed main-ly in road infrastructure:1- in 1995, USD 20,000 for the construction of Kaçinar-Arrëz road;2- in 2003, USD 60,000 for the construction of a footbridge in Shpërdhazë; 3- in 2004, USD 200,000 for the construction of a 6,5 km long connecting road between the Com-mune Center with Kuzhnen;4- in 2006, USD 60,000 for the construction of the bridge of Ndredi.

The European Bank. In 1998 it has funded USD 120,000 for the reconstruction of the 9-year school of Simon.

Foundation for Self-Employment and Professional Forma-tion (Ministry of Work and Social Affairs). In 1998 it has paid USD 28,000 for the partial reconstruction of Qafë Vorrëz-Shëngjergj road. Austrian Caritas. has provided USD 200,000 for the reconstruction of the 9-year school of Arrëz and for the furnishings of some other schools in the com-mune.

Kaçinar’s Parish Management. From 1990 it has do-nated funds for the:1- construction of a number of footbridges in Si-mon, Kaçinar, Shpërdhazë etc.;2- pavement with chippings of the most damaged parts of the commune’s byroads;

3- encirclement and maintenance of Simon’s and Kaçinar’s cemeteries; 4- construction of houses for families in need (USD 100,000);5- full reconstruction of the premises of the Com-mune Center;6- financial support of educational, cultural and artistic activities in schools. UNDP. It has financed USD 19,000 and USD 20,000 respectively for the irrigation infrastruc-ture of Shtuf and Arrëz.

IFAD-2. Focused in irrigation projects, it has paid a total of USD 155,000, namely: -USD 90,000 for the irrigation channel of Shpërd-hazë;-USD 35,000 for the irrigation channel in the Preçaj neighbourhood of Simon;-USD 30,000 for the irrigation channel in the Çu-paj neighbourhood of Kaçinar village.

Ministry of Health

- Health Center, Kaçinar ALL 2,000,000 - Outpatient Clinic, Arrëz ALL 2,000,000 - Outpatient Clinic, Simon ALL 1,500,000- Outpatient Clinic, Shtuf ALL 1,000,000 - Outpatient Clinic, Shëngjergj ALL 1,500,000- Outpatient Clinic, Kuzhnen ALL 1,000,000 - Outpatient Clinic, Shpërdhazë ALL 1,000,000

XV- R

elat

ions

with

Don

ors

Publisher: Qëndra për Bashkëpunim ndërmjet Komuniteteve, Autoriteteve Lokale dhe OJF-ve

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20Tiranë, ShqipëriP.o. Box 7451Tel: 04 2229077Mob: 06920421190E-mail: [email protected]: www.cangoalbania.org

Graphic Design: Studio “Tartari”Printed: GentgrafikEdition: 250 Kopje

All rights reserved. The contents of this booklet may be freely used for non profitable intentions, provided each reproduction acknowledges CANGO as copyrighter.

LAÇ

LEZHË

MIRDITË

KUKËS

PUKË

SHKODËR

BURREL

KRUJË

DURRËS

PESHKOPI

Klos

Reps

Kurbnesh

Perlat Qendër

Rëshen

Kaçinar

Rubik

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Kaçinar

Rr. “Zenel Baboçi”, Pll.37/1, Sh.2, Ap 20, Tiranë, AlbaniaP.o. Box 7451 - Tel: (04 2229077) - Mob: 06920421190E-mail: [email protected] - Web: www.cangoalbania.org

Kaçinar Commune, Mirditë, AlbaniaTel: 0216 29903E-mail: [email protected]

Kaçinar KAÇINAR

COMMUNEPROFILE

Kaçinar KAÇINAR

COMMUNEPROFILE

Kacinar Profile

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Transcript of Kacinar Profile