Pogradec is a small city with a population of approximately 20,000 that is located in the far eastern part of Albania near the Macedonian border in the Prefecture of Korçe. Lying adjacent to Lake Ohrid and despite its rural heritage, Pogradec is part of a growing regional trade route that has also made it a focal point for both the growth of tourism and local service industries.

Due to the high unemployment, low-skill levels and the absence of health services common amongst the Albanian population, the Ebu Bekr Community Training Centre (CTC) was established in 1995.

At the request of the local community for establishing a CTC, initial renovations needed for the CTC complex were started in 1993 and involved Islamic Relief's extensive conversion of a cinema into classrooms, conference rooms, a large Jamia mosque heavily used by the community, administrative offices for the Mufti of Pogradec and Islamic Relief, as well as a modest health centre.

The CTC complex plays an important part in supporting educational and Islamic activities in this small city. Owned by the Albanian Muslim Community; the government-sanctioned body which overseas Islamic activities, mosques and organisations in Albania, the CTC is the only Islamic complex of its kind in eastern Albania.

Islamic Relief designed and continues to implement this project to provide much-needed and in demand skills to the people, especially the youth and women who normally find themselves unqualified to meet the criteria needed to find meaningful and legal employment.

Local demand for training in sewing, tailoring and handicrafts is on the rise owing to the growing opportunities and demands for skilled workers in a fledgling local export-oriented textile industry.

The CTC provides English language training as well as computer usage, sewing and handicrafts. The Albanian Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs fully licenses the course offerings and even signs off on graduation certificates.

Demand for enrollment in the CTC for its various course offerings far exceeds the amount of spaces available owing to the high quality of educational services and value for price. Local communities throughout Eastern Albania have been in negotiation with Islamic Relief to open up smaller branches to provide courses in sewing, tailoring and handicrafts.

Project Objectives

• To equip individuals with the skills necessary to find employment and contribute to the long term development of the country;

• To provide a facility where Albanians can have access to education and useful skills;

• To serve as a true community centre in which individuals can come together in a healthy environment.

Project Activities

• Educational training courses;

• Kindergartens;

• Educational activities and events;

• "Summer Club" activities;

• Sports championships;

"Islamic Relief is striving for a fairer world. Our mission is to help the poor and needy to live sustainable, self-reliant lives within safe and caring communities. Our work is guided and shaped by the core values of accountability, humanitarianism, neutrality and impartiality, inclusiveness, integrity and co-operation, all of which are also integral to the Islamic faith."
Dr Hany El Banna - Founder of Islamic Relief

Islamic Relief was established in 1984 and our unique approach is the result of these many years of hands-on experience.

1. Where possible we adopt a community partnership-based approach; encouraging community involvement, understanding and ownership of projects.
2. We run the majority of our field projects ourselves, giving us direct insight into the problems faced and how best to solve them.
3. We aim to empower those we help in order to achieve sustainable results.
4. Though our emergency response teams are quick to respond to emergencies around the world, we continue to support communities long after the initial media interest has died down.
5. We recruit staff locally to benefit from their local knowledge. This ensures that we are culturally sensitive and allows us to reach communities and areas other organisations cannot.
6. Where necessary we coordinate our work with other reputable aid agencies, local organisations and governments.

Millennium Development Goals

Islamic Relief is committed to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which have been agreed by the world’s leading development institutions in an effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by the year 2015. 

The goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

For more information about the MDGs, please visit: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/