Call for Expressions of Interest

For the operationalization of special tourist accommodation facilities (guesthouses/hostels and campsites) from the D2T project in Dibër Municipality. This Call is within the framework of the DIBRA: Tourism and Tradition (D2T) project, which is financed by USAID, the Swedish Embassy and implemented by ALCDF (Albanian Local Capacity Development Foundation), in partnership with Dibër Municipality and CNVP Albania. This project seeks to contribute to increasing the number of employees, particularly youth and women in the Dibër area, and to increasing the income of Dibran families engaged in the tourism sector. The purpose of this call is to support initiatives from Dibrans seeking to operationalize tourist services as special tourist accommodation facilities (guesthouses/hostels and campsites) as sustainable businesses for the longest possible duration.

The D2T project seeks to support initiatives for the creation of special tourist accommodation facilities, with an available fund of $40,000. The support fund from the D2T project for a tourist accommodation facility is a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $4,000 from the project. The total fund for each intervention must be a minimum of $4,000. It is also required that the applicant cover with self-contribution a minimum of 50% of the total value of the intervention. For example: If the total value of the investment is $8,000, 50% of its value will be covered by the D2T project, i.e., $4,000, and 50% will be the applicant's contribution valued at $4,000. It is preferred that the applicant offers a higher contribution value than 50%.

The D2T project will support those expressions of interest that seek to intervene with the operationalization of special tourist accommodation facilities located in areas where there are tourist villages, tourist trails, itineraries, and that are close to natural resources and historical-cultural monuments. Interventions seeking to improve the infrastructure of traditional and characteristic houses will also have priority, while preserving traditional values and improving the quality of tourist services in these families engaged to enter this business for the most sustainable period possible, and demonstrating readiness to participate in the activities of the D2T project.

This call is open to all applicants who meet these criteria: - Be residents/residents with permanent residence in Dibër Municipality; - Possess property documentation of the house or land (Property Certificate); - Not be under criminal prosecution (Criminal Record Certificate); - Be willing and able to contribute a minimum of 50% of the total value of the investment in the tourist accommodation facility.

Interested individuals must submit the following documentation to the D2T project offices at this address: "Tourist Information Office, Boulevard Elez Isufi, Peshkopi, to the local coordinator Mr. Zenulla Mehmeti: - A letter of interest according to the format provided by the D2T project (Annex 1). This format must be completed by computer and not by hand; - The signed and completed Letter of Commitment according to the format provided in Annex 2; - Photocopies of the Identity Card (ID) of the person applying; - Criminal Record Certificate (issued in the last 3 months), original; - Certificate of ownership of the facility and land where the intervention will be carried out (photocopy in the application and notarized in subsequent steps if selected among winning applications), accompanied by the property card and indicative map; - Notarial authorization for the person applying (if not the owner) from the owner of the house or land where the intervention will be carried out, to apply.

What interventions can be undertaken? Applications may provide for interventions with the following types of works and equipment as follows: - Rehabilitation/reconstruction of existing residential buildings and/or internal spaces, with the objective of guesthouses or hostels, while preserving tradition and characteristic rural style; - Supply of necessary equipment and furnishings for service, functionality; and - Renewable energy for the guesthouse or hostel (solar panels or other innovative technologies); - Construction and operationalization of campsites with interventions in: Protective fencing of the area; Arrangement and landscaping around; Toilets, showers and other hygiene facilities for waste management; Etc.

The application will be submitted to the Dibër Tourist Information Office at this address: Boulevard Elez Isufi, Peshkopi, to the local coordinator Mr. Zenulla Mehmeti, in a sealed envelope signed by the applicant. Applications will be accepted until June 10, 2019, at 17:00. This call will be open for only one round, and only one application will be selected as the winner.

For any further information, please contact: The Dibër Tourist Information Office at this address: Boulevard Elez Isufi, Peshkopi; and these persons: Zenulla Mehmeti: ([email protected])