With EU backing through the “Challenge Fund EU4I” program, Ekofungi has set up a BioLab where mushrooms are grown using agricultural waste such as straw, olive branches and residues from olive oil factories.

The initiative is designed to cut pollution by reducing waste, create jobs and provide training for young people to build green businesses, and offer a sustainable model that has drawn interest from hotels, restaurants and cafés.

“This innovation delivers a triple impact: Environmental – reduces agricultural waste that often ends up polluting nature. Social – creates jobs and offers training for young people, empowering them to build their own green businesses.  Economic – a sustainable, cost-efficient model that has already sparked strong interest from the HoReCa sector,” the EU Delegation said in a social media post.

Ekofungi is one of several startups the EU is supporting in Albania.

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By combining classroom theory with hands-on training and fostering direct partnerships with businesses, this education model provides students with practical skills and early employment opportunities. Supportive government policies and success stories from students are reinforcing vocational training as a reliable career path, particularly in fields such as culinary arts, technology, agriculture and mechanics.

Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Blendi Gonxhja, on Thursday highlighted one such example on social media – the story of Xhuljana, a student enrolled in the country’s Dual Vocational Education program, specializing in culinary arts.

Xhuljana is currently completing her professional internship in one of the city’s most renowned kitchens under the guidance of Niko, an experienced chef who mentors her step by step – from mastering basic techniques to preparing the most intricate recipes.

“What makes this model special is that Xhuljana is paid while gaining the hands-on skills demanded by today’s labor market. This is the essence of dual vocational education: real preparation, not just theory,” Gonxhja said.

The Minister urged students finishing ninth grade to consider vocational education as they continue their studies. “Register in the 10th grade through the e-Albania portal and begin your journey to success,” he wrote.

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The government head said that Taulant left Albania when he was 14 to work and study in Italy. “However, he decided to return back home and invest in his homeland.”

“Today, thanks his commitment, passion and vision, Taulant has built a success story up to European standards and he is also convinced that his son can grow up and receive decent education in Albania that offers ample opportunities,” Rama wrote.

Taulant recalls that his beginnings were really hard for him.

“I first graduated from the Giuseppe Garibaldi Agricultural Technical Institute in Rome. I then attended the economics and finance bachelor degree at Sapienza University, and I am a holder of a master’s degree in innovation, management and enterprise internationalization,” Taulant said, adding that he returned back to Albania in 2014.

“The first thing I did was invest in machineries. As the machineries were being installed, the process was transitioning from an old artisanal one to an automated process,” he said.

Taulant notes that he and his father were initially traded arguments about the new machineries.

“However, when the work process was put into practice, it was clear to everyone that the result was a high-quality product. New products emerged in the process. From humble beginnings, our products have gained access to the market as they meet best European standards,” he said.

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