On-line Training of Trainers on Fundraising 

The IOM Albania programme “Engage the Albanian Diaspora to the Social and Economic Development of Albania” is adapting some of the activities to the new situation that the countries are going through due to Covid - 19 outbreak. The telecommuting smart working will be the new key tool to implement some of the Diaspora Programme activities. In the light of this, in collaboration with Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA), the Programme finalised an on-line course “Training of Trainers (ToT) on Fundraising”. The On-line training, organized through ASPA webinar tool, will contribute to enhance the capacities of public officials dealing with diaspora engagement policy implementation.

In the training participatied14 representatives, two from each of the following Institutions: Albanian State Minister for Diaspora, National Fund of Diaspora, National Diaspora Agency, Diaspora Publishing Center, Center for Arbëresh Research and Albanian Diaspora Business Chamber and ASPA. 

“The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the implementation of some of the programme activities, as the Diaspora Programme mainly targets Albanian diaspora in Italy, one of the most affected countries. During this time, we worked with positivity thinking creatively. Together with the programme donor and partners we have decided to adapt some of the offline activities to online one to continue the implementation of the Programme. We are proud to be the pioneer in using for the first time the platform of ASPA.” says Ms. Manoela Lussi, IOM Albania Diaspora Programme Manager.

ToT on Fundraising is an interactive 4-day training, splatted in different days as per ASPA mythology. ToT Curriculum on Fundraising is an important tool to provide strategies and techniques on how to approach different bilateral and multilateral donor to raise fund and support different projects in relation to Albanian diaspora engagement into social and economic development of Albania. It is a very important mechanism to strengthen the capacity of public institution representatives on how to diversify their financial resources aiming to build programmes and projects that bring Albanian diaspora communities closer to their home country.  

 “The capacity building component for Albanian Government officials is a key pillar of Diaspora Programme. We are pleased to move forward with the implementation of these activities, which will enable the Diaspora Engagement institutions to elaborate and activate alternative funding opportunities for their diaspora engagement projects,” stresses Mr. Endri Xhaferraj, Programme Officer at Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Tirana.

“This is the first time that ASPA utilizes a digital tool to deliver on-line trainings. Our next step is to be creative and develop further alternative methods for transforming the digital environment into a new learning reality,” says Kleopatra Maliqi, General Director of ASPA.

The on-line ToT Training modules on Fundraising are delivered via ASPA Webinar tool by 2 IOM consultants hired for such assignments. The International Consultant is a member of Albanian Diaspora community, meanwhile a National Consultant is supporting with. The training curricula designed by both consultants provides for participants a series of theoretical concepts and interactive practical tools on Fundraising, across over the three days. In addition, during the 4^th day, the participants developed concept ideas on fundraising strategies models., under mentoring and coaching of the consultants.

“This online fundraising training was very useful for us. It supported the National Diaspora Agency in developing the skills from research to marketing. It has also improveed our staff abilities to believe in our actions and efforts. As president Roosevelt has said - believe you can and you are half there”, highlights Mr. Dritan Delia, Director of Diaspora, National Diaspora Agency.

“This on-line ToT training is a great opportunity for the representatives of our targeted institutions. It was followed in this particular momentum while people are required to stay safe at home,” concludes Ms. Lussi.

The IOM Albania Diaspora Programme is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Albania, the UN Migration Agency, with funding from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in coordination with the Albanian State Minister for Diaspora, Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Finance and Economy through Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA).