A Publication of Their Own

For years, the environmental NGOs (ENGOs) have felt the need for a publication of their own that would enforce and stabilise the network of the environmental movement in Albania. Also, it could prove a powerful agent in the process of establishment of a strong public environmental opinion in the environmental development policies. Therefore, the publication of �The Environment Today� newspaper started in 2002. The paper is published by the Regional Environmental Center (REC) country office in Albania, in cooperation with Milieukontakt OOST Europa.

The national meeting of the ENGOs of April 25, 2003, in Durres, discussed the need to transfer the publication under the responsibility of the environmental associations. A newspaper in the hands of the ENGOs would provide them with a tool for expression of their voice in the media market, but also provide the institutionalisation and independence in organizing the newspaper.

The idea was strongly supported by MKOE. In a meeting held on July 4, 2003, five ENGOs took the initiative to prepare a concrete plan for transfer of �The Environment Today� in the hands of the other environmental NGOs.

The main principles of �The Environment Today� are:

A strong voice of ENGOs
A focal point of integration and vitality
A qualitative publication that step by step would be present at the free market to make it self-sustainable.

This initiative has been known to all the environmental organisations in Albania. In October 2003, eleven ENGOs expressed their direct interest to contribute to the implementation of the programme, and preparation of the environmental newspaper. The meeting appointed the Boards of nine ENGOs, charged with the preparation of the newspaper. The board was named �Eco-movement� and the same name was given to the publication.

The Board was later transformed into a group of the same name, as a consequence of the strengthening of relations between these organisations. Although without written rules, the future of the group was identified in the joint activities that its organisations undertake. The involvement in actions like the protests against the introduction of GMO in Albania, the �import� of waste from Italy and the protests for the protection of the Vlora Bay, marks the beginning of a new stage in the Albanian environmental movement.

Name of the newspaper: �Ecomovement�
Publication: twice a month
Number of copies: 600
Number of pages: 8 (A3) all coloured
Content and thematic:
Environment related to all fields of the life.

The structure:
Information
Articles regarding the environmental issues
Profiles of famous persons among the environmental fields
Reportages
Photography and designs

TEAM
Xhemal Mato (Editor)
Journalists:
Bujana Xhindoli
Irena Topalli ,
President of the Group:
Lavdosh Ferruni

DONORS
Regional Environmental Center (REC), country office in Albania
Milieukontakt OOST Europa
Association of the Organic Agriculture (QKE)
World Bank
Co-Plan