The handover ceremony was attended by representatives of the State Police, the European Union Delegation in Albania, the French Embassy and partner institutions involved in implementing the project.

State Police Director General Skender Hita said the donation would strengthen operational and investigative capacities, particularly in cybercrime investigations, border management and forensic crime scene analysis.

He said the support would help improve the effectiveness of efforts against cross-border crime and migrant smuggling networks.

Through the EU4FAST project, the European Union continues to support the strengthening of law enforcement structures, border management and judicial cooperation in the region, with the aim of dismantling criminal networks, protecting vulnerable individuals and reinforcing security and the rule of law.

The donated equipment includes “Mercure” software licenses for cybercrime investigations and risk analysis, portable CTMS scanners for document verification and detection of forged documents, a van dedicated to migrant transport operations, and a vehicle supporting forensic police investigations at crime scenes.

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The museum had remained closed since suffering damage in the 2019 earthquake, but the restoration has transformed both the structure itself and the scope of its collections, offering visitors a broader insight into the city’s cultural heritage.

Located in a traditional 19th-century townhouse, the museum preserves key architectural features of historic urban homes in Durres, including wooden elements, an open gallery and period interior layouts that recreate the atmosphere of old Durrës households.

The renovated museum now features seven exhibition rooms on the upper floor and a large hall on the ground floor, compared with just four accessible exhibition rooms before the earthquake. The expanded spaces allow for a more comprehensive presentation of ethnographic objects and the stories behind them.

Displayed throughout the museum are traditional household items, work tools, folk costumes and everyday objects reflecting Albania’s past way of life. Each room has been curated as a distinct narrative combining the practical and symbolic value of the exhibits.

The museum also houses a collection of 125 artworks donated in honor of painter Ibrahim Kodra, adding a contemporary artistic dimension to the institution. Dedicated spaces also highlight prominent cultural figures, including internationally renowned actor Aleksander Moisiu.

Museum staff told the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that the reopening has already attracted strong interest, particularly from foreign tourists, many of whom spent time exploring the exhibits and learning about local traditions and historical lifestyles.

The reopening of the museum is expected to strengthen its role as a key cultural and tourist destination in Durres, while helping preserve and showcase Albania’s ethnographic heritage for future generations.

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Speaking at the launch of the project in the coastal city of Durrës, Gonzato described the initiative as a practical programme delivering direct benefits at the local level.

“Albania’s European journey must be experienced in every municipality. Local government must be an active actor in this process,” Gonzato said.

He said even relatively small amounts of funding could bring tangible improvements to citizens’ daily lives and stressed that smaller municipalities would be prioritised under the programme.

“No municipality will be left behind,” he said, adding that all municipalities would have access to the programme and benefit from a shared knowledge centre.

Gonzato also highlighted the importance of inter-municipal cooperation and Albania’s territorial-administrative reform, urging local institutions to exchange experiences and better address citizens’ needs.

“Learn from one another and think carefully about how to address local needs and create opportunities for young Albanians to stay in the country or return,” he said.

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Elbasan’s city council has approved a project to open the Dopaj-Funar trail and install orientation signage, funded under the European Union IPA Cross-Border programme “Krushevo and Elbasan – Journey in Nature and Adventure”.

Mayor Gledian Llatja said the initiative forms part of a broader effort to develop nature and adventure tourism in cooperation with the municipality of Krushevo in North Macedonia.

The first phase included the construction of a tourist information point at Funar Lake and the development of a paragliding site, which helped increase visitor numbers, Llatja said.

The new phase will focus on trail marking and light improvements to enhance accessibility, without major infrastructure works, he added.

The project also foresees the creation of an adventure park and is expected to attract visitors, particularly from nearby Tirana, as Albania looks to expand its eco-tourism offering.

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The initiative will also support Albania in meeting EU environmental and climate standards, a key requirement under Chapter 27 of its accession process.

Forests cover around 36% of Albania’s territory and play a crucial role in water security, biodiversity, rural livelihoods, erosion control, and climate regulation. However, unsustainable land use, illegal logging, wildfires, overexploitation, weak inspection and monitoring, and limited investment have led to a 32% decline in forest volume over the past two decades.

Funded by the EU (12.7 million euros), co-financed by Italy (3 million euros), and UNDP (260,000 euros), the programme will support Albania’s forestry sector through improved governance, stronger institutions, and long-term planning.

It will focus on reforestation, wildfire prevention, and strengthening forestry institutions, with a strong emphasis on local governance. Municipalities will receive support to develop forest management plans.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj said Albania had undertaken major reforms to align its legal framework with EU acquis, including a new forestry law and institutional strengthening.

He said work is under way to establish a State Forestry Enterprise as a key tool for professional and sustainable management, as well as state-owned nurseries to ensure certified and high-quality planting material.

EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato said the programme reflects the EU’s commitment to a green and sustainable future for Albania, noting that the forestry sector needs decisive support to align with EU standards and reverse the impacts of deforestation, wildfires, and climate change.

AICS Tirana Director ad interim Letizia Fischioni reaffirmed Italy’s commitment, highlighting wildfire prevention and civil protection as key pillars of environmental resilience.

UNDP Resident Representative Randi Davis said the initiative takes a people-centred approach, stating that “EU4Forests invests in both nature and people—building resilience, creating opportunities, and ensuring forests benefit future generations.”

Over five years, the programme will provide technical and operational support to improve forest governance, including alignment with EU standards, strengthening Albania’s Forest Information System, and capacity-building at national and local levels.

It will also support the development of 10 municipal forest management plans and a national afforestation and reforestation plan, alongside ecosystem restoration and wildfire prevention measures. A grant scheme for municipalities will be introduced to support local action, awareness-raising, and behavioural change.

Implementation will involve close cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, the National Forestry Agency, local authorities, communities, civil society, academia, and the private sector, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises in wood processing. The project will also use GIS-based monitoring and AI-supported wildfire risk assessment tools.

“EU4Forests” is aligned with Albania’s commitments under the EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and the EU Forest Strategy 2030, supporting both environmental protection and economic development while advancing the country’s EU integration path.

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The programme has made a significant contribution to strengthening Albania’s pre-university education system through an inclusive approach that simultaneously targeted teacher capacity-building, improved support services and consolidation of the education system, laying sustainable foundations for long-term inclusion.

During its implementation, some 15,000 teachers were trained in inclusive teaching practices, while 348 trainers were certified to support the nationwide rollout of the approach.

In parallel, 550 psycho-social support units were equipped with modern infrastructure, and two special schools were transformed into National Resource Centres.

As a result of these interventions, more than 135,000 children have directly benefited from more inclusive learning practices.

The European Union, working with Albanian institutions and partner organisations, continues to support the development of an education system in which no one is left behind, in line with European standards and Albania’s EU integration priorities.

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SOCIEUX+ brings European expertise to improve social protection, labour, and employment systems, through knowledge-sharing and tailored to meet Albania’s need.

This show the EU’s commitment to supporting Albania on its path towards a more inclusive and resilient society.

Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, said he was pleased to see the launch of SOCIEUX+, EU-funded instrument in Albania. According to him, the programme provides short-term support in the field of social protection, labour and employment, based on the peer exchange model.

“The support provided by SOCIEUX+ can help Albania draw on experience and best practices from the EU member states when aligning its legislation and standards in the process of EU accession. But this is not just about changing laws; its about transforming society for the benefit of all Albanians,” said Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania,” Perr said in his remarks at the programme launch event.

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The European Union launched its 75 million euros worth programme as part of its financial commitment during the International Donor’s Conference, organized in Brussels on February 17, 2020. The programme is being implemented by the UNDP in cooperation with the Albanian Government and targets indicatively rehabilitation of 58 educational facilities in 11 quake-affected municipalities across the country.

Around 24.000 pupils, kindergarten children and students will benefit from renovated or reconstructed education facilities. Around 1 million community members will also benefit from this intervention.

Reconstructed educational facilities are not only resilient to future earthquakes under the principle “Building Back Better and Building Back Together,” but they also meet European standards regarding energy efficiency, green spaces, water and sewerage, sports facilities and internet provision.

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