PUBLISHED ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2023

The European Union and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) launched today the “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth – Waste Infrastructure in Albania” project. Funded by the EU with a EUR 19 million grant and implemented by AFD, the project will help reduce the environmental and health impact of solid waste in Kukës and Gjirokastra/South Vlora waste areas.

Project activities will include increasing recycling to reduce waste volumes and establishing new European Union compliant landfills and waste facilities to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also assist Albania to further align to EU standards on its path to EU membership.

The activities will improve the living conditions of nearly 190,000 inhabitants in Kukës and Gjirokastra regions. This project is in line with Albania’s National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) for the period 2020-2035, and will be an important milestone towards the implementation of EU compliant reforms and investments related to the circular economy and green growth. 

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Find out more about AFD’s action in the Western Balkans

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In a joint ceremony, Minister of Tourism and Environment Ms Mirela Kumbaro, the French Minister Delegate in charge of Foreign Trade, Economic Attractiveness and the French Nationals Abroad Mr Olivier Becht, French Ambassador to Albania Ms Catherine Suard, Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Chargé d’affaires a.i., EU Delegation to Albania, and AFD Director for Western Balkans Region Mr Arnaud Dauphin officially launched this new project. After an inception phase dedicated to consultations and technical studies, concrete investments will materialize from 2024-2025 over a four years period. 

This project is part of the EU’s larger EUR 30.9 million “EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth” programme for Albania, which will also address alignment to EU legislation, introducing Extender Producer Responsibility policies, and mobilising communities and the private sector in circular economy and green growth.  

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.

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Contact:

AFD, Tirana Office: Marija Stankovic | Tel: +381 11.78.58.830

EU Delegation to Albania | Tel: +355 4 222 8320

Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Albania 

Source : https://www.afd.fr/en/actualites/communique-de-presse/albania-eu-france-launch-project-support-circular-economy-municipalities?origin=/en/actualites/communique-de-presse