Partners Albania organized on May 19,  the “Green Business Competition 2022“.

The Green Business Competition is an activity organized by Partners Albania since 2012. It aims to stimulate and encourage innovation for green business ideas at the local level and explores the role of philanthropy in engaging local communities to generate green business ideas that utilize local resources and revitalize disappearing traditional production chains and community-based markets. By supporting innovative, local sustainable economic development initiatives, The Green Business Competition aims to substantively contribute to building a peaceful, competitive, and prosperous Western Balkans and Greece region in line with the seven (7) Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. This year, the organization of the Green Business Competition was supported by Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Erasmus Plus Program of the European Union, Tirana Bank, One Telecommunications, and Credins Bank

Thirteen finalists selected among competitors from social enterprises, individuals, small business ventures, and non-profit organizations, presented their business ideas which were evaluated by an independent jury of experts in the area of economy, education, and business development.

The competition supported business ideas in two main LOTs according to their stage of maturity:

LOT 1: Business Ideas at Conceptual Stage
LOT 2: Businesses in Pre-Seed Stage

The winning ideas are:

LOT 1: Business Ideas at Conceptual Stage

“Shebenik Egnatia Explorers” presented by Lytfi Alliu. The idea consists in setting up mobile camps in the Shebenik National Park and other segments of the Egnatia road, creating more mobility and entertainment opportunities for tourists.

“Qukapiku Educative Toys” presented by Ina Fasko. The idea is to establish an enterprise that will offer Albanian consumers educational toys for children, made from wood untreated with chemicals.

Each of the winning ideas under this Lot will be financially supported up to the amount of 500,000 ALL.

LOT 2: Businesses in Pre-Seed Stage

“Funky Cabins – Glamping” presented by Rizvan Kurti (Funky Creative shpk). The idea is to offer a 5-star outdoor hotel through ecological Indian-style wooden cabins with 360-degree glass views, exploring the wonderful nature of our country.

“Belsh Smart City” presented by Albert Hysa (Registered individual). The idea is to expand the existing bicycle rental business, including City Coco electric motors, creating a new service that will enable tourists to explore the area more extensively.

“Lika Apitourism” is a small accommodation unit welcoming the tourists in the village of Sebisht. They improve tourist’s experience offering different activities during their stay, such as tasting local food, involving them in the bee-keeping processes such as feeding, guarding, caring, and collecting honey, otherwise called “Api-tourism”.

Each of the winning ideas under this Lot will be financially supported up to the amount of 800,000 ALL.

Three of the winners, namely “Shebenik Egnatia Explorers”, “Qukapiku Educative Toys” and “Funky Cabins – Glamping” will automatically become part of the regional Balkan Green Ideas Competition 2022, which will take place in September, in Albania.

Visit a photo gallery from this event.