The Decentralization and Local Development Program dldp, financed by SDC and implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation is based on a bilateral agreement between the government of Albania and of Switzerland. In its first phase from 07/2006 to 02/2010, the project was operational in the Qark (region) of Shkodra in Northern Albania, belonging to the poorest regions of the country. The second phase of dldp was planned for 3/2010 to 2/2013 and extended beyond Shkodra Quark to the Qark of Leza covering an area of 54 Local Government Units LGUs in both Quarks with a population of roughly 550,000 people.