European Union and France launch €19 million project to support circular economy in the country’s municipalities

The European Union and the French Development Agency (AFD) have presented the “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth-Waste Infrastructure in Albania” project. Funded by the EU through a €19 million grant and implemented by AFD, the project will help reduce the environmental and health impacts of solid waste at the waste endpoints in Kukës and Gjirokastër/Southern Vlorë.

The project will increase recycling to reduce the waste volume, create new landfills aligned with EU standards, and facilitate waste management to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also help Albania to further align itself with EU standards, in its path towards EU membership.

The project will improve the living conditions of nearly 190,000 inhabitants in the Kukës and Gjirokastra districts.
This project is in line with Albania’s National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) for 2020-2035 and will be an important landmark in the implementation of reforms and investments, in line with EU directives on economic circularity and the fulfilment of the green agenda.

This new project was officially launched in a joint ceremony by the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro, the French Minister in charge of Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and the French Abroad, Mr. Oliver Becht, the French Ambassador to Albania, Mrs. Catherine Suard, the EU Ambassador to Albania, Mr. Luigi Soreca, and the AFD Director for the Western Balkans, Mr. Arnaud Dauphin. After an initial phase of consultations and technical studies, concrete investments will start in 2024-2025 and will continue for four years.

This project is part of the European Union’s largest programme for Albania “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth” worth 30.9 million euros, which will also address alignment with EU legislation by introducing the “Extended Producer Responsibility” policies and mobilising communities and the private sector towards the circular economy and the green agenda.

About the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment is the governmental institution responsible for the development and implementation of policies aimed at environmental protection, protection against climate change, sustainable use of natural resources, protection of nature and biodiversity, sustainable development of forests and pastures, monitoring of water quality, as well as the development and implementation of tourism policies. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment works in accordance with the relevant legislation concerning nature and biodiversity, including flora and fauna, protection against erosion and degradation, protection of the natural landscape, protection of wild fauna and endangered species, and protected areas.