The agreement was signed by Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri, Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf and four mayors: Petrit Sinaj of Berat, Selfo Kapllani of Kuçovë, Juliana Memaj of Ura Vajgurore and Nesim Spahiu of Çorovodë.

“Albania faces a huge problem when it comes to waste management. I want to make it clear that this project aims at creating a concrete example of how waste can be managed in Albania. It will have a very specific, regional focus, but if carried out successfully, it can be replicated in other regions of the country”, said Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf.

Minister Gjiknuri thanked the Swiss government for the support it provides in dealing with a problematic issues such as waste.

“I think it is the right solution to treat waste at regional, Qark level as we can not build and finance individual landfills for small municipalities. This is called an integrated approach for urban waste. The government’s strategy has foreseen that urban waste is collected in designated locations where they can be treated according to relevant technological solutions”, said Minister Gjiknuri.

The new project will develop capacities for planning and implementing waste management in these municipalities, and will boost their skills in policy-making and funding schemes for improving services. It will lay the basis for future sustainable investments in infrastructure.

Throug the project these municipalities will work on the Regional Waste Management Plan, will prepare a Feasibility Study to determine future regional investments. In addition, public information and awareness raising will be targeted and finally the implementation of short-term measures.

The project’s main funding comes the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - SECO.