Handicrafts and Heritage: A Heritage-Based Tourism Project in Bulqizë

Project Overview

Handicrafts and Heritage used tourism and traditional craftsmanship as tools for creating economic opportunities for women and young people in Bulqizë.

The project responded to limited employment opportunities and high levels of migration by supporting local people to transform cultural heritage, handicrafts and hospitality into marketable tourism products and services.

What We Did

The project supported the establishment and development of a women artisans' group, accompanied by training in entrepreneurship, online marketing and business development.

Female tourism operators received practical training in hospitality and customer service, while additional activities addressed access to finance and small-scale productive support for selected women entrepreneurs.

The project also organized a Tourism Day in Bulqizë, strengthened links between artisans and tourism operators and supported the promotion of local cultural events, including the Golloborda Folk Festival.

Key Contribution

The initiative strengthened the role of women and youth within the local tourism economy and demonstrated how traditional skills, cultural identity and tourism entrepreneurship can contribute to livelihood diversification and heritage preservation.