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 […]
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“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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Published: June 5, 2025 Prepared by: Marinela Spahiu, Project Manager, Climate Bridges project, URI The Climate Bridges Network project was represented at the second EUKI Academy Study Tour to Brussels, taking place from June 3-5, 2025, by Mr. Jakob Dietachmair from CIPRA International Lab. This unique opportunity brings together 20 participants from EUKI projects across […]
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May 29, 2025 – Tirana, Albania by Marinela Spahiu, URI On May 29, 2025, the Urban Research Institute hosted a successful national exchange event in Tirana as part of the Climate Bridges Network project. The event brought together over 30 representatives from civil society organizations, local and national government institutions, and climate experts from across […]
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by Marinela Spahiu, Urban Research Institute TIRANA, ALBANIA – On January 30-31, 2025, consortium members of the Climate Bridges Network in Action project gathered in Tirana for a two-day strategic meeting to launch the next phase of the initiative. The meeting brought together environmental organizations from across the Western Balkans to plan and coordinate efforts […]
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