Description

In northern Albania, the delivery of basic services to the population has been deficient. Limited space at a health facility in Spiten, a village located in the county of Lezha, was an example of the daily challenge the population had to face.

In an effort to empower the community, World Vision introduced villagers with a methodology known as Citizen Voice and Action (CVA). This three-step approach aims at enabling citizens to learn about their rights and duties, monitor public services, and demand action from their government if service delivery does not meet established standards.

In Spiten, the major problem was lack of space in the community health facility. At the time, there were four health professionals working at the clinic, but the space was enough for only one to operate properly.

Community leaders wanted to press for change, and their first step was to form health advocacy teams (HATs) in order to lead the village through the CVA process. Next, HATs gathered community members to talk about the problems with the health clinic. Villagers were able to discuss issues and concerns in an orderly manner, and then sign up a petition addressing the commune (the local government unit).

The initiative allowed the community to engage with their local government in a series of meetings, in which citizens were able to voice their concerns and suggestions. The process was not an easy one, but community members followed through with advocating for better services.

Almost three years later, the commune delivered a plan for a new building and took care of all legal documentation and procedures for the acquisition of a permit. The Ministry of Health then allocated funds for the construction of the health clinic on a piece of land that had been donated by a community member.

HATs have been key in holding the commune accountable in this project. Even after the government had agreed to invest on the new health facility, HATs have been monitoring the construction and delivery of other investments. Recently, World Vision staff has reported that the community is only waiting on furniture for the clinic to open its doors.

The CVA methodology has enabled villagers from Spiten to speak up about their complaints and concern in an organized and effective manner. Not only were they able to discuss issues among themselves, but they were also empowered to approach their local government about them and demand change.