A river clean-up day in Kurbin Municipality on Saturday, 18 November, will mark the launching of the campaign. EU Member States, EU-funded projects, civil society, local community, international organisations, students, and media representatives are invited to join a full-day cleaning activity. The clean-up location is the area where Fan and Mat Rivers meet, bringing waste materials from villages and urban from surrounding areas. The day will continue with an open discussion that will bring together various stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing plastic use, waste generation, and pollution under the theme of “Building an Environmentally Sustainable Future”. A live concert in Laç city centre, at 17:00, will conclude the day, by setting in motion several weeks of debates, open discussions, and environmental activism.  

The Agenda for River Clean-Up Day can be accessed here. 

Under the motto, “Join the Green Way, Europe is Here!”, the campaign will not only aim to make Albanians aware of the impact of their actions on environment but also to highlight how the EU is assisting the country in protecting its biodiversity and countering environmental degradation. The Green Campaign will explain to the public, policymakers, and businesses what it means for Albania to join the “European Green Deal”, as part of the country's EU integration process. The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU and its future Member States into a modern and resource-efficient economy by ensuring net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and by decoupling their economic growth from resource use. 

As Albania is progressing in the EU accession process, it is essential to harmonise its policy, laws, and initiatives in line with EU legislation in crucial areas like water management, biodiversity, green and circular energy, air quality, and climate change. Through round tables with informed stakeholders, open discussions with local communities, book clubs, movie screenings, and press trips we will discuss green solutions, showcasing the enhanced EU-Albania partnership.

The Green Campaign will explain new EU-funded programmes worth EUR 44 million:

EU4Nature: a €6 million project that will increase the protection of biodiversity in protected areas and further prepare Albania’s protected areas to join the EU’s Natura 2000 network. For more go to:

EU for Nature (to support Albania in achieving Natura2000 standards and protect biodiversity in Protected Areas) – EU Projects in Albania

EU4Circular Economy: a €30 million projects to upgrade waste management, including recycling, and to enhance the circular economy in Albania. For more go to:

EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth – Waste Infrastructure in Albania – EU Projects in Albania

and

EU for Circular Economy and Green Growth – support to the transition of Albania towards a circular economy – EU Projects in Albania

EU4Rivers: a €7.5 million project to support integrated water management and wastewater pollution reduction in Albania. For more go to:

EU4Rivers – EU Projects in Albania

As it aims to make Albanian people aware that their daily actions influence their lives and future generations, the campaign will also engage younger audiences in a national contest. The activation, which will take place mainly on social media, will celebrate and reward individuals who have creatively embraced and applied eco-friendly daily habits in their lives.

For more info about the campaign and the assistance the EU Delegation provides to Albania do not hesitate to contact us at: delegation-albania@eeas.europa.eu