Partners Albania organized on 28-29 June 2018 in Tirana, the national competition “Green Ideas 2018“.

“Green Ideas” is an annual competition that Partners Albania organizes since 2012, in the framework of its work on promoting entrepreneurship and social innovation. It serves as an incubator for small scale green economic enterprises in Albania, utilizing local resources and revitalizing traditions of production and community-based markets in an environmentally friendly way.

During the two days of the competition, 20 individuals, civil society organizations and small business ventures presented their ideas before a jury of experts, who selected three best ideas:

“Green Paths“, the idea of ​​the Vjosa Explorer Association, which aims to increase the touristic offer in the Permeti area through the construction of the Green Paths, as an untapped potential that improves the visitor experience, increases the quality of their stay and influences in reducing the seasonality of tourism activity in favor of employment growth, and social and economic development.

“Aloe Vera (Aloe Saponaria) in Albania“, the idea of ​​Albi Sulo, (individual), consists in the development of a new enterprise to grow the Aloe Saponaria plant (for the first time in Albania) in a suburban area of Tirana, aiming to turn the cultivation of Aloe Vera in a successful and lucrative venture.

“Pana Souvenirs”, the idea of ​​Pezana Rexha, which aims to create and develop a new line of products – the “Made in Albania” souvenirs. It also aims creating job and training opportunities, as well as a line of unique products that fully represent and identify Albania.

Winning ideas will be financially supported up to 800,000 ALL, through a fund created with contributions from local companies and private donors. Co-funders are the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Balkan Trust for Democracy-A project of the German Marshall Fund, Credins Bank and Telekom Albania.

In addition, the winners will be part of the “Philanthropy in Support of Green Ideas” regional competition that will take place in Macedonia in July this year. The regional competition with the participation of Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina presents an opportunity for local winners to benefit from additional funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) through partner foundations in each of these countries. Partners Albania is the RBF partner in Albania.

Visit here a photo gallery from this event.