TIRANA, Feb 10 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ – Director of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Tirana, Hubert Perr, praised Albania’s participation in various European Union networks and systems as an example of the accelerated integration into the EU, although the country has yet to become a member of the bloc.
Addressing the presentation event of the new Community Hub for development of the innovation ecosystem in Albania, Perr stated that no sustainable economic development or growth can be achieved without focusing on human capital development.
Perr announced that the EU Delegation will launch a seven-week campaign, focusing on education and the importance of education in a country like Albania.
According to him, education and training of human resources are a prerequisite for innovation to thrive in Albania.
The EU official also noted that tangible results have been achieved in Albania under a series of EU-funded innovation and startup support programmes in the last five years.
“The EU’s economic power is attributed to the bloc’s competitiveness. Competitiveness is what takes us forward and that’s why we need to build an economic system, with innovation at its core. The same is happening with Albania,” Perr said, adding that the significant pay rise in the country recently should go hand in hand with increased competitiveness through innovation.
In this regard, the Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation noted that Albania is delivering through a very clear and deliberate approach, bringing the digital aspect to the top of the agenda in areas like tourism, agriculture and many other sectors.
“We are proud that EU and member states can support this system and this innovation hub comes at the right time,” he added.
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), groundbreaking EU-funded initiative in partnership with EU4innovation project, launched Monday the first EIT Community Hub in Albania. The initiative aims at fostering a strong local innovation ecosystem, important for driving improved economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, help local entrepreneurs connect with Europe’s largest innovation network.
The EIT Community Hub will serve as a one-stop shop for local entrepreneurs and innovators to access a wide range of opportunities in education, business development and research collaboration.
This major project is part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS) programme, which works to accelerate Europe’s innovation agenda and engage local talent in high-value opportunities.
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