Albania, EU and AFD launch Waste Management Programme in Gjirokastër and Vlora South

The Government of Albania, the European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency (AFD) launched today the new ‘EU for Circular Economy – Regional Waste Management Programme’ (EU4CE-ReWaM). Fully funded by the EU and implemented by AFD, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania, the 19 million EUR project will upgrade the waste management in Gjirokastër, Vlora South and Kukës.

The programme will support Albania in enhancing recycling; establishing EU-compliant landfills and waste facilities; and reducing environmental impacts of solid waste. This initiative will contribute to improving living conditions in the affected areas and support Albania's alignment with EU standards for its EU membership journey.

The inaugural event in Gjirokastër marked the official start of the programme in the Gjirokastër-Vlora South waste zone. It brought together municipalities and local stakeholders, and was attended by the Minister of Tourism and Environment Ms. Mirela Kumbaro, the EU Ambassador to Albania Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Gjirokastra Mayor Mr. Flamur Golemi, the Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy Mr. Samuel Richard, and by representatives from AFD.

A team of international and local consultants appointed by AFD will be in charge of carrying out the programmatic activities in the coming months, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Environment, as well as the 12 municipalities from the two regions.

Minister Kumbaro emphasized the importance of coordination at the local level for the implementation of this key programme. Regarding waste management and the role of citizens and authorities in limiting the impact for the environment, “mayors have a role to play in changing mentalities,” noted Kumbaro. EU Ambassador Mr. Silvio Gonzato highlighted that the programme is an important milestone towards the implementation of EU-compliant reforms and investments related to circular economy and green growth. He also reiterated the key messages of the ongoing “EU Green Campaign”. An awareness campaign and an open call for Albanian citizens, businesses and policy makers to step in with a series of actions, which spans from individual choices to public initiatives and policy, in order to preserve the environment according to European standards.

“In the accession negotiation process which Albania has started, respect of the EU's environmental standards is one of the most challenging tasks. The reason for it is that it is not just a question of adopting legislation. It requires also substantial investments, a shift of public policies, as well as changes in the way people live and behave. The project we launch today wants to contribute to this political and societal shift,” concluded the EU Ambassador.

During his remarks, Mr. Richard, while attending the event as Chargé d’Affaires a.i of the French Embassy, emphasised the growing France-Albania cooperation in environmental matters, and the instrumental contribution of AFD in this partnership momentum.

“The Municipality of Gjirokastër has a consolidated experience in collaboration with donors and in particular with the EU in several other projects. I would like to emphasize that the "EU for Circular Economy" project contributes greatly to the tourist perspective of the city. We cannot have sustainable tourism development unless we address long-term fundamental issues such as the treatment of urban waste,” declared Mayor Golemi.

This launching event underscored the commitment of local municipalities to promote a circular economy and sustainable waste management practices. Under the framework of the “EU Green Campaign”, the event also served as an occasion to remind the public of the impact of their actions and to highlight how the EU is assisting the country in protecting its biodiversity and countering environmental degradation. The latter, together with EU4CE, consists in three different programmes (worth 44 million EUR) that will contribute to improving waste and water management and will increase the protection of biodiversity in the protected areas. A similar event will take place on Friday 19 January in Kukës to officially kick-start the project in 4 municipalities of this region.

About the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania

The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is the government department responsible for drafting and implementing policies aimed at environmental protection, climate change protection, sustainable use of natural resources, protection of nature and biodiversity, sustainable development of forests and pastures, water quality monitoring, as well as the design and implementation of tourism policies. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment operates under the relevant legislation, concerning nature and biodiversity, including flora and fauna, soil protection from erosion and degradation, protection of the natural landscape, protection of wild fauna and endangered species, and protected areas.

About the European Union in Albania

The European Union is Albania’s strongest development partner, providing over EUR 100 million annually in grant assistance to support the Albanian people and help Albania adopt and implement key political, institutional, social and economic reforms to comply with EU values and progressively align with its rules. Further information on EU funded projects in Albania and EU-Albanian cooperation can be found at https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/albania_en