Publication Archive • Urban Research Institute

Third Meeting of the Community of Practice on Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) Convenes in the Western Balkans

From 25 to 27 March 2026, the Urban Research Institute (URI) participated in the Third Meeting of the Community of Practice (CoP) on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), held in Fruška Gora, Serbia. The regional workshop was organized by IUCN within the framework of the ADAPT 2.0 project, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation through ecosystem-based approaches […]

Berat: A successful model of Integrated Waste Management in Albania

A historic city in central Albania and part of the UNESCO World Heritage, Berat has become an increasingly visited and sought-after destination for tourists and beyond. Stretching along the banks of the Osum River, this Ottoman-era city represents a true cultural and historical labyrinth in our country. The Urban Research Institute, in partnership with Brooks […]

Extended Producer Responsibility in the Western Balkans: what it means and why it matters

When we talk about waste, we usually think that responsibility lies only with citizens or municipalities. In fact, however, a large part of the responsibility also relates to the companies that produce or import products. This is precisely what the Extended Producer Responsibility strategy, or EPR, is intended to address. Put very simply, EPR means […]

Elbasan towards climate neutrality: how the city is transforming through GreenELB and eCIM with URI support

In the Municipality of Elbasan, structured steps are being taken toward climate neutrality, grounded in data and pilot projects that propose solutions that can be implemented in practice. The Urban Research Institute is a partner in two projects that address, in an integrated way, the key sectors of Elbasan’s urban climate transition—energy efficiency in private […]

“Berati Riciklon”: a new standard for waste management

“Berati Riciklon” is consolidating as a success story and a replicable model for source separation of waste, not only because of its concrete results, but because it has set a new standard for how recycling is built and delivered as a public service: organised, well maintained, measurable, and connected to the market. In a sector […]

Climate finance in Albania: the issue and the momentum for mobilization

Climate change is no longer an abstract risk for Albania. Floods, droughts, fires and infrastructure-related risks are occurring more frequently and at higher costs, while the “cost of inaction” translates every year into pressure on public budgets, local economies and household well-being. This raises a fundamental question for policymaking: do we only have strategies and […]

Annual Report 2024

The Urban Research Institute Annual Report 2024 brings together one year of work on cleaner cities, climate action, and better local governance in Albania and the Western Balkans. It highlights how data, policy expertise, and community engagement translate into concrete results for municipalities, citizens, and regional economies. In this 2024 annual report, you will find […]

BREATHE CLEAN: A REGIONAL CALL FOR CLIMATE AWARENESS ACROSS THE WESTERN BALKANS

Overview and Regional Context In late September 2025, coordinated awareness activities took place across 10 Western Balkan cities under the regional campaign Breathe Clean, aligned with World Lung Day. Instead of organising a single centralised event, a shared methodology was adapted locally across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Croatia, demonstrating that climate […]

Adapting to the EU Waste Framework Directive and Extended Producer Responsibility

A Practical Guide for Producers, Importers and Distributors in the Western Balkans This comprehensive guide helps businesses in the Western Balkans navigate the transition to EU environmental standards, specifically the Waste Framework Directive and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements. Key Contents: The guide serves manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and waste management operators, providing both immediate […]