EU4Innovation

We had the pleasure of hosting Can Lewandowski, CEO of RECUP, as a jury member and speaker at the CCL-Tirana Demo-Day. RECUP is a deposit system for take-away food and drinks in Germany, aiming to reduce packaging waste and promote cost-saving solutions through reusable products. During the event, Can emphasized the need for dedicated infrastructure around reusable packaging to make it easier for businesses and start-ups to integrate sustainable practices. He also highlighted the importance of low-entry barriers to foster growth for Albanian start-ups committed to sustainability. Reflecting on the event, Can shared: "I was amazed at how much commitment the teams put into bringing a circular economy forward and the professionalism and attention the programme brought with it." Circular City Labs-Tirana is a joint effort of the European Union and Germany via (1) Circular City Labs Project (2) EU for Circular Economy and Livable Cities (3) EU4Innovation programmes in partnership with the Municipality of Tirana. Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania #ICLEI Bashkia Tirane #GreenTirana #DestilCreativeHub Co-Plan Institute for Habitat Development POLIS University

Meet the Flexible Track Startups of Growpreneur's Cohort! These teams are taking a customized approach, balancing program resources with their specific needs to scale effectively Stay tuned as we share updates on their progress, milestones, and successes in the coming months! Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania #GrowpreneurAccelerator #Startups #Innovation #ScalingUp #entrepreneurshipjourney

Meet the Intensive Track Startups of Growpreneur’s next Cohort! These ambitious startups are diving deep into a hands-on acceleration journey, tackling challenges, refining their strategies, and scaling their innovative ideas. From AI-driven career guidance to sustainable fashion and digital platforms transforming industries, these teams are leading the way in innovation and growth. We’re excited to support them as they shape the future of their industries! Stay tuned for updates on their journey. Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania #GrowpreneurAccelerator #Startups #Innovation #ScalingUp #EntrepreneurshipJourney

🏆 And the Winners Are... 🎉 We are thrilled to announce the winners of CCL Shkodra Demo Day! 🌿 These 5 innovative teams stood out for their impactful ideas and dedication to creating a greener world. We can’t wait to see them take their projects to the next level! 🌱 A huge congratulations to: 🎖️ Eggcellent Turning cardboard waste into eco-friendly products like egg trays and seedling trays! ♻️🌱 🎖️ Circa Digital marketplace connecting buyers and sellers of surplus organic produce to reduce waste and create economic opportunities. 🌍 🎖️ The Galley Hostel Introducing reusable cups to reduce plastic waste in Shkodra’s nightlife! 🍻 🎖️ 1998 Vintage Store Upcycling textile waste into stylish, sustainable fashion pieces! 👗♻️ 🎖️ Plot Shije Fighting food waste by transforming overproduced fruits and veggies into delicious jams and sauces! 🍓🍅 Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this incredible journey🙏🏻 EU4Innovation GIZ Albania Yunus Social Business Balkans DEEP Ecosystems Shkelzen Marku #Growpreneur

What an incredible day at CCL Shkodra Demo Day! 🌿 We witnessed 9 visionary startups present their innovative solutions to some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges. From food waste and plastic pollution to sustainable fashion and the circular economy, these entrepreneurs are leading the way toward a more sustainable future. 💡 Over the course of the CCL Shkodra, these teams have grown tremendously. They’ve refined their ideas, perfected their business models, and developed solutions that can truly make an impact. From overcoming challenges to embracing opportunities, it’s been inspiring to see them evolve into the changemakers they are today. 🌍✨ The journey doesn’t end here! The future is bright, and these startups are ready to continue scaling their impact and driving positive change in Shkodra, Albania, and beyond. 🚀 CCL Shkodra is an acceleration programme powered by EU for Circular Economy and Livable Cities and EU4Innovation implemented by Yunus Social Business Balkans, in collaboration with DEEP Ecosystems, Qendra Rinore ARKA Shkoder and Bashkia Shkodër #Growpreneur GIZ Albania

The CCL Shkodra Demo Day will feature 9 start-ups presenting innovative solutions for a circular and livable future. From sustainable businesses like EcoCycle Connect and Eggcellent to creative ventures such as 1998 Vintage and The Galley Hostel, the participating teams are ready to showcase their ideas and tackle environmental and economic challenges. Don’t miss this inspiring display of local innovation! Join us tomorrow at Loro Boriçi Stadium. Together with Municipality of Shkodra we accelerate the way to green and digital innovation. Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania #Growpreneur Yunus Social Business Balkans DEEP Ecosystems Bashkia Shkodër Qendra Rinore ARKA Shkoder #circulareconomy #EU4I #reuse

Get ready for an exciting day at CCL Shkodra Demo Day!  On December 18th at the Loro Boriçi Stadium, the region’s most innovative start-ups will present their circular economy solutions to a panel of expert judges. The day features two pitch sessions, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities, culminating in the awards ceremony for the winning start-ups. We accelerate the way to green and digital innovation! Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania #Growpreneur Yunus Social Business Balkans DEEP Ecosystems Bashkia Shkodër Qendra Rinore ARKA Shkoder #circulareconomy #EU4I #reuse

The grand opening of Albanian Night marked a milestone in showcasing Albania’s vibrant traditions and entrepreneurial spirit. With over 500 artisans and 10,000 unique handmade products, the largest ethno-cultural center in the Balkans is now a place where culture and innovation thrive together! Reflecting on this achievement, H.E. Ambassador of Germany to Albania, Mr. Karlfried Bergner, highlighted the transformative journey of Albania’s innovation ecosystem since 2018, when Team Europe first teamed up with pooled resources of the Union, Germany and Sweden to build Albania's innovation ecosystem through EU4Innovation together with the Government of Albania. He highlighted the cooperation between Albania and Germany with a focus on sustainable economic development, particularly through GIZ projects. “Albanian Night not only celebrates Albania's heritage but also reinforces our commitment to sustainable, green, and digital growth.” This initiative, supported by EU4Innovation and Start-Up Albania, it’s a testament to the power of partnerships in fostering economic development and preserving traditions for future generations. GIZ Albania Delegation of the European Union to Albania

Historic Moment 🌟 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐮𝐛 (𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐇) 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭! Albania joins the European Commission's network of Digital Innovation Hubs, and we are proud to be the 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐦 🇦🇱 to sign this transformative project for the country's innovation and business climate. Together with our partners – 𝐔𝐌𝐓, 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐈𝐂𝐓, 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐬, 𝐀𝐁𝐒𝐋, 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒𝐆 dhe 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 – we have launched preparations for this 4-year initiative. 𝐃𝐢𝐕𝐀 aims to accelerate digital transformation for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across Albania, with a special focus on tourism and agriculture. By integrating cutting-edge technologies like 𝐀𝐈 and 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, we will strengthen the digital capabilities of Albanian businesses while fostering ESG practices in line with EU standards. This initiative, part of the 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 (2021-2027), with a total contribution of 8.1 billion euros, was made possible thanks to the incredible technical support of #EU4Innovation, #GIZAlbania, and the Ministry of Infrastructure throughout the application process. Stay tuned! 🚀 Universiteti Metropolitan Tirana , ICTSlab , DigitSapiens , ConsciESG (Techstars '24) , Cyber Morfosis , ABSL Albania , GIZ Albania , EU4Innovation , Ministria e Infrastrukturës dhe Energjisë Enkelejda Muçaj #EDIH #DiVA #DigitalEurope

Where cultural heritage and business meet and where the past is revived to nourish the future - this is Albanian Night, a new space opened in Tirana. Proud that the #EU4Innovation programme with 🇩🇪 & 🇸🇪 supported the successful launching of this new cultural hub that showcases authentic artisanal products, unique folklore, and the best traditions to 🇦🇱 and foreign visitors. While preserving the local identity, "Albanian Night" revitalises and presents to a European market the wealth of Albanian creativity. “EU accession is a win-win process. #Albania will bring a lot to the European Union once it joins, including its unique culture. "Albanian Night" contributes is not only to preserving Albanian heritage and art, but to promoting a thriving cultural sector and providing the basis for a more diverse and inclusive society,” #EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato. Delegation of the European Union to Albania GIZ Albania