Rama said the programme builds on housing policies implemented in recent years and would provide 4,000 young couples with access to homes through zero-interest loans and another 3,000 with subsidised rents.

Under the first scheme, 2,000 zero-interest loans will be available for apartments costing up to 60,000 euros, while another 2,000 loans will carry an interest rate of 3% for homes priced above 60,000 euros.

The second scheme will provide 3,000 subsidised rental opportunities, with the state covering 50% of the rent. Young couples and returning emigrants with similar family profiles will receive priority, Rama said.

“These are not election promises but milestones of the National Programme,” Rama said, adding that implementation would require a new law, a comprehensive reform of the agencies managing the scheme and the necessary funding in the 2027 state budget.

Calls for applications and preparations for those interested in participating will be published soon, he said.

“Four thousand keys from one programme and 3,000 from the other make 7,000 keys for 2027,” Rama said, adding that the figure did not include existing subsidised loans for teachers, police officers and young members of the armed forces.

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More than 83% of participants received an offer within four months, Manjani said, adding that following the pilot, the programme will be rolled out nationwide over the next three years.

The scheme aims to strengthen links between education, young people’s skills and labour-market needs by providing opportunities for employment, education, vocational training and skills development.

Youth employment indicators have also improved, with unemployment among 15-29-year-olds falling to 15.1% in the second quarter of 2025, down 3.3 percentage points from a year earlier.

“The Youth Guarantee is the largest project we have undertaken to integrate young people into the labour market,” Manjani said.

She said the challenge was not simply to help young people find jobs today, but to equip them with the skills needed for tomorrow’s jobs.

“Our commitment is to ensure that no talent is left behind because of a lack of information, skills or opportunities. Young people are not only Albania’s future. They are the Albania we are building today,” she said.

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Economy, Culture and Innovation Minister Blendi Gonxhja said Wednesday that 650 families were supported under social housing programmes in 2023, while the new target reflects expanded investment in subsidized rent, low-interest housing loans, reconstruction of existing homes and new municipal housing projects.

“Our goal is affordable, adequate and sustainable housing for every citizen, raising living standards across the country,” Gonxhja said in a statement.

Officials said the initiative is part of Albania’s National Social Support Programme and represents a concrete step toward strengthening social policies and integrating vulnerable groups into sustainable urban development.

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Speaking at a joint conference with the Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, also Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Prime Minister Edi Rama said it is the first time since the regime change in Albania, 35 years ago, that electricity rates are lowered for household consumers.

The Premier recalled the lamentable state of the country’s energy sector when his government took office in 2013, saying that power grid losses were estimated at around 50% due to mismanagement and electricity theft.

He also underlined that only 65% of the consumers used to pay utility and electricity bills, while only 100 000 consumers benefited reduced rates under government support policies.

Rama stated that the number of beneficiaries from the reduced electricity rates is now 10 times higher or over one million consumers.

Earlier today, ERE decided lower the cost by 8.5 lek for every 700 kWh consumed, and 9.5 lek for consumption above this amount and the new reduced rates are expected to enter into force as of February 1, 2025.

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The group of 50 entrepreneurs have already signed the due contracts with the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) after presenting their investment projects.

The overall fund is 17 million lek, with 9.75 million lek in grants. The beneficiaries are expected to enhance their accommodation capacities by 300 beds.

The National Institute of Statistics, INSTAT, said in its latest report on tourist numbers that more than 6.8 million foreigners entered Albanian territory in the first seven months of 2022.

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According to the MFE, all beneficiaries, who have not yet submitted the necessary documentation to receive the payment, are invited to fill in the necessary additions, according to legal requirements.

The fund for the payment of installments for former political persecuted for 2022 is projected at 1 billion ALL.

The Ministry of Finance and Economy has made available the phone number: 042281155 to inform on the progress of the process.//a.i/