Organization

 "QGIS USER GROUP ALBANIA" was founded voluntarily by a group of professional initiators in the field of GIS with a focus on QGIS software and is a non-profit association. It is a non-governmental organization, independent of political parties and national organizations and enjoys freedom and autonomy of action in accordance with its Statute, Program and Regulations.

The full name of the Association in official Albanian is "GRUPI I PËRDORUESVE TË QGIS-it NË SHQIPËRI"
The short name of the Association is "QGIS-AL"
The name of the Association in English language for international use is: "QGIS USER GROUP ALBANIA".

The association will execute its activity in accordance with the Albanian legislation in force, specifically the law no. 8788, dated 07.05.2001 "On Non-Profit Organizations", law no. 8789, dt 07.05.2001 "On the registration of Non-Profit Organizations", Article 39 et seq. of the Civil Code of the Republic of Albania and the provisions of its statute. The association acquires its legal personality at the moment of registration in the Court of First Instance in Tirana. Its activity will extend throughout the territory of the Republic of Albania and outside it during international communication with international professional organizations related to the association's objectives.

The first initiator for the establishment and the founder of the association is the South-East European Research Institute on Geo Sciences (Geo-SEE Institute) from Skopje.

The association was founded with the aim of representing and lobbying for the advancement of legislation, raising public awareness and affirming the rights and advantages of using the QGIS software package in the Republic of Albania in accordance with the international standards set by QGIS and other international organizations for the standardization of geospatial data and the promotion of free and open source software packages in the field of geoinformation. The association was founded in order to:

• support geoinformation in Albania using open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• raise the awareness of Albanian institutions about the importance of geosciences and geospatial data in the functioning of state institutions and the daily life of citizens, as well as about the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• increases the quality of life of citizens through the organized management of geospatial data at the national and international level,

• offer courses, trainings for geospatial data using free and open source software, with a special focus on QGIS software

• initiate and facilitate better collaboration between governmental, non-governmental, educational, scientific and private institutions and organizations in the field of geosciences and geospatial data using free and open source software, with a particular focus on QGIS software ,

• approach contemporary trends and standards in the field of geosciences and geospatial data, such as INSPIRE, GSDI, EuroGlobalMap, Eurogeographics, etc.

• initiate and assist in greater cooperation between different fields of the geoscience family, such as: geography, geodesy, geology, geomorphology, topography, cartography, GIS (geographic information systems), SDI (spatial data infrastructure), linguistics, toponymy, cadastre, remote sensing, demography, sociology, spatial planning, ICT (information and communication technology), biogeography, etc., using open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software.

• analyze the current situation with official geospatial data in Albania's state institutions and the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• cooperate with professional institutions-organizations that deal with geosciences and geospatial data in other countries, with special emphasis in cooperation with organizations in Europe and America, for the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• to join the international network of official QGIS USER GROUPS.

The association, for the realization of legal goals for public benefit, has the following scope:

• the initiation of projects related to the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on the QGIS software in the geosciences for geospatial data,

• the organization of professional events such as conferences, seminars, symposiums, workshops, etc., for the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software

• organizing debates and open forums with state institutions, non-governmental organizations, citizens, the private sector, professional associations, scientific/educational institutions, etc., for the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software.

• publication of acts with scientific, professional and informative works related to geosciences and geospatial data, as well as for the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• publication of books, summaries of works, magazines, newspapers, etc., on the use of open source and free software, with a special focus on QGIS software,

• participation in national and international projects,

• membership in the international QGIS network,

• membership in the international network of OSGeo,

• membership in national and international networks and organizations related to the scope of the association.

The bodies of the association are:   

• General Assembly – all members

• Managing board – 5 (five) members with 4 (four) year mandate

• The President – official representative of association with 4 (four) year mandate

• Council for supervision – 3 (three) members with 4 (four) year mandate.

Membership in association:

Anyone can be a member of the association, be it a physical or legal person. The approval of the request for membership in the association is made by the Managing Board. The new member is recorded in the association's membership list, which is kept in the secretary's office. The submission of the request for registration and membership automatically includes the acceptance of the statute and code of ethics.

Membership in the association is considered completed only after approval and payment of the relevant contribution. The monthly fee will be 1 euro/month, while the payment is made annually with the total amount of 10 euro/year.

State institutions and private companies can be business members of the Association, according to their request and the approval of the managing board of the association. The monthly fee for them is 10 euros/month, while the payment is made annually with the total amount of 100 euros/year.

Retired members, unemployed persons and students pay an amount equal to half of the average quota of ordinary members, exactly 0.5 euro/month, while the payment is made annually with the total amount of 5 euro/year.

Download APPLICATION FORM for membership in QGIS USER GROUP ASSOCIATION! (SOON)

STATUTE of the Association QGIS User Group ALBANIA (SOON)

NGO Registration Certificate of the QGIS User Group ALBANIA (SOON).