On 4 September 2025, the Municipality of Mallakastër hosted the presentation of the first draft of the Conservation Plan for the Bylis Archaeological Park. This important step toward safeguarding this cultural asset of the Mallakastër region is financed by the European Union’s EU-IPA II Programme for Albania, within the framework of the project “EU for Economic Development – Tourism-led, Local Economic Development, with a focus on Cultural Heritage,” implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

The meeting took place in the presence of the Mayor, Mr. Qerim Ismailaj, the Director of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (IKTK), Ms. Joli Mitrojorgji, the Park Director, Ms. Ornela Durmishi, as well as a broader group of participants, including sector experts, local residents, and representatives of local businesses.

The main objective of the meeting was to present the work carried out so far by the experts and to foster an open discussion among all participants on the conservation of the monuments within the park. Following the opening remarks by the Mayor, Mr. Qerim Ismailaj, and Mr. Ilir Parangoni, Project Team Leader, Prof. Neritan Ceka presented the work conducted to date by the consultants, which focuses on the long-term preservation and promotion of the monuments of Bylis. Contributions by specialists in mosaics, Mr. Agron Islami and Ms. Berbis Islami, were also presented, along with perspectives on tourism and community development shared by Mr. Genc Metohu.

Subsequently, Ms. Joli Mitrojorgji, Director of the IKTK, highlighted the importance of the programme and the growing relevance of the site, emphasizing the cooperation between the IKTK, the Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation (MEKI), and AICS. She referred to the process of providing feedback from the IKTK on the first draft and thanked the experts for their contributions. Ms. Mitrojorgji also acknowledged the work carried out over the years by the Institute of Archaeology and distinguished professors, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to continued collaboration within the project.

A particularly significant moment of the meeting was the open dialogue with representatives of the communities surrounding the park. They shared ideas and suggestions on how local residents could be more actively involved in the conservation processes and the future management of the park. The discussions emphasized that the protection of heritage is not solely an institutional responsibility, but a shared mission that brings tangible benefits to the local community.

The draft study for the preparation of the Conservation Plan for the Bylis Archaeological Park was formally submitted to the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (IKTK) in August, where it was reviewed and commented upon. The comments from the IKTK, together with the suggestions collected during the meeting with local residents, will be incorporated into the final version of the plan. This version will be submitted for approval to the National Council of Tangible Cultural Heritage (KKTKM) at the end of September 2025.