Lluka Nikollori worked and lived far away in the capital for years, while his childhood home, in Albania¡¯s coastal village of Ilias, slowly deteriorated.
But now he¡¯s back, and ¨Cat 80¨C is embarking on a new adventure.
A small grant helped him cover most of the costs for a new roof and facade on the century-old structure, using traditional architectural elements.
A grant is also paying half of what it is costing him to turn the place into a small bed and breakfast.
¡°There are two things I am doing this for. One, it is in order to maintain the legacy of my childhood home. And two, I will benefit economically,¡± says Nikollori.
The small grants which helped Nikollori to transform his home is part of Albania¡¯s Coastal Village Conservation and Development Program, supported by the World Bank and other international donors.
The multi-faceted program aims at developing and promoting tourism in a sustainable way along Albania¡¯s potentially tourist-rich southern coast line, through improving community infrastructure and promoting local construction traditions.