Inaugural Steering Committee of the EU-Funded Project on Tourism-Led Local Economic Development in Albania

Tirana, Albania – 20.09.2024 – The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee for the project “EU for Economic Development – Tourism-led, Local Economic Development, with a Focus on Cultural Heritage” (Contribution Agreement No. 2020/420-271) was successfully held today at the Europe House in Tirana. The meeting gathered key partners, including representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, the European Union Delegation in Tirana, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) – Tirana regional office, alongside leading institutions in Albania’s cultural heritage sector.

The €6 million project, funded by the European Union, with an additional €250,000 contribution from AICS, focuses on preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Mallakastra region. Core initiatives include the conservation of the archaeological sites in Bylis and Klos, enhancing visitor accessibility through the establishment of a multifunctional visitor center with an integrated physical museum, and delivering capacity-building programs for local students and experts. The project also includes community grants aimed at fostering local economic development and deeper community engagement.

The meeting was officially opened by Ms. Stefania Vizzaccaro, Head of Office for AICS Tirana, followed by remarks from Ms. Lira Pipa and Mr. Sokol Duma, Deputy Ministers of Economy, Culture, and Innovation, outlined the meeting’s key goals and project expectations, while Mr. Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Albania, presented an overview of the project’s activities and achievements to date, as well as the updated timeline.

Mr. Ilir Parangoni, Project Team Leader at AICS Tirana, further provided an in-depth presentation on the project’s management plan and key milestones to reach until 2027.

Later there were discussion from Ms. Eridana Cano – Director of State Agency for Strategic Programming and Assistance Coordination (SASPAC) and And Akademics  Gezim Hoxha and ADem Buguri with Mayor of Mallakstra Mr. Qerim Ismailaj for the the support to the project and the meeting concluded with a productive discussion on the project’s progress and the formal endorsement of the work plan and timeline for the upcoming months.