Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation in Albania (DART)
The joint project of the ILO, FAO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will strengthen agricultural productivity and competitiveness in food systems, promote digital inclusion, and empower small agricultural producers, particularly those placed in vulnerable situations.
Duration
1 October 2024 - 31 October 2027
Budget
850,000 USD (ILO budget); 2,640,000 USD (total budget)
Development partner(s)
Joint SDG Fund
Reference
ALB/23/50/UND
Location
Albania
Contact
Alessandra Molz, ILO Skills and Employability Specialist and Earli Shima, National Project Coordinator through [email protected]
Additional details
Access project dashboardDART aims to increase agriculture productivity, advance socio-economic growth, and enhance rural livelihoods in Albania by 2027. It harnesses the potential of digitalization to transform the agri-food sector from national level to underserved rural areas in Albania delivering on three components:
- The formulation of Albania’s National Digital Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan (led by FAO)
- The farmer-centric design and delivery of digital services via the recently launched national Farmers’ Portal (Portali i Fermerit) (led by FAO)
- The development of digital capacities among national public workers, TVET schools and centres; smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups in rural areas (led by ILO)
Through DART, the ILO is advancing its Decent Work Agenda by equipping Albania’s rural workforce with the digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving agri-food economy. The programme targets smallholder farmers, youth, women, and vulnerable groups, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital transition.
Key ILO contributions include:
- Establishing a Sectoral Skills Council for Agriculture, guiding national efforts to align vocational training with digital agriculture needs
- Conducting a national skills needs diagnostic, identifying gaps and shaping inclusive training programmes
- Supporting the integration of digital agriculture into vocational education, reaching at least 180 students and 400 farmers—50% of whom are women
By fostering digital inclusion and strengthening institutional capacities, the ILO is helping to build a resilient, future-ready rural economy. The programme also supports Albania’s EU accession goals, aligning national strategies with European standards on digitalization, gender equality, and human rights.
DART is more than a development initiative—it is a catalyst for systemic change. With a strong focus on policy reform, capacity building, and inclusive service delivery, the ILO is helping to create sustainable, decent work opportunities in Albania’s rural heartlands.