Albanian Civil Society and its Impact on Cultural Heritage Values on the Country's Development

Abstract

Studies have shown that civil society associations play an essential role in preserving, documenting and promoting the cultural heritage of a country. They can engage in policy-making, lobbying, creating public awareness and practical projects to preserve and present cultural heritage. Civil society also plays a crucial role in shaping national identity and a sense of a country's past and cultural heritage. Through their activities, associations can help disseminate knowledge, raise awareness, and shape national identity. They impact the country's development through their participation in decision-making processes and the development of various projects for the development of cultural heritage. They can promote cultural tourism, create employment opportunities in the cultural sector and contribute to the country's economic growth. Cooperation between civil society associations and public institutions is essential to realize the common objectives of preserving the cultural heritage and developing the country. Experience shows that when there is good organizational and institutional cooperation, the results are more successful and sustainable, but this has yet to cause much interest in the scientific community. This article will focus on describing the role played by civil society in Albania in this process and highlighting some specific features of its participation. The goals and objectives of this study are to (1) describe civil society engaged in the heritage and the interaction between them; (2) describe how the role of civil societies is changing amid ongoing changes; (3) identify trends in the development of cooperation between national institutions of civil society.

Received: 26 March 2024 / Accepted: 20 May 2024 / Published: 5 July 2024