Making a livelihood. A study of rural migrants in Bathore, Tirana

The present study explored the relationship between internal migration and poverty in Bathore, Tirana under a livelihoods focus. DFID's Sustainable Livelihoods Framework was used as the theoretical basis of this research, with few adjustments, like inclusion of political capital. A case study design was conducted, which made use of both quantitative and qualitative data gathered from primary and secondary sources. The study aimed at gaining a better understanding of the migration process and migrant livelihoods, as well as exploring possible policy issues of relevance to migration and development. The demise of the communist regime in the country marked the start of a chaotic mass migration of unprecedented dimensions, giving rise to a wild process of urbanisation. From 1990, when migration to Bathore started, until the present day, migration has been continuous, and has operated in a laissez faire situation, largely unaffected by policies and regulations. Despite the significance of the phenomenon, attention has been minimal, both from a governmental/institutional and academic perspective. Migration to Bathore is characterised by whole-family migration, driven by the hope for a better future for one's children. Income and employment opportunities were important, albeit not major factors in the migration decision. The majority of the migrants are neither poor nor rich, although both the very poor and the wealthy have adopted migration as a livelihood strategy. Despite poor financial capital and severe unemployment, migration has resulted in improved livelihoods, in terms of better access to physical, human, social and political capital. Migrants engage in a variety of livelihood strategies, but for most, these strategies are targeted at survival. Thriving is difficult since the current, very limited asset base, does not allow for capital accumulation. Findings revealed a marked gender dimension in various respects, like intra-household power relations, employment and education. This calls for the inclusion of the gender perspective for effective policy making. Bathore is in urgent need of state-led interventions in many respects. Investments in improving household's physical and financial capital seem the two most important, and most immediate interventions, which can have spillover effects to other assets. Special attention needs to be given to building human capital, indispensable for breaking the intergenerational transmission of poverty. There is a need for migrants in Bathore, and similar areas, to be recognised as vulnerable categories. In addition to the role of the government, and other actors, in improving the livelihoods of thousands of migrants, the findings also indicate the need for the Government of Albania to guide future migration so that the process of urbanisation goes hand in hand with the sustainable development of the country. Importantly, migration should not be the only livelihood strategy open to poor rural households. Needless to say, one of the recommendations emerging from this study is the absolute need for future research on internal migration in Albania.