Albania presents new program ‘Renaissance 2.0’

Minister of State for Local Governance of Albania, Ervin Demo, presented the new program ‘Renaissance 2.0,’ a package comprising 11 strategic objectives aimed at territorial interventions and sustainable regional development.

Minister Demo told a media briefing after the govt. meeting that this program will establish a new paradigm of local development, integrating cultural identity, innovation, and modern technology with the needs of communities, CE Report quotes ATA.

“Today we presented the new 2.0 program concerning territorial interventions and sustainable regional development. It encompasses 11 strategic objectives, beginning with the strengthening of local identity. This program will focus on the establishment of local museums dedicated to the distinctive identities of specific regions of Albania, particularly in light of the growth already achieved in the tourism sector. At the same time, it aims to further create and reinforce the local identity present across the territory,” Minister Demo underlined.

Minister Demo also addressed the improvement of functionality and accessibility in urban areas. ‘Our current focus is on the construction of parking facilities to ensure sustainable access within urban zones. A total of 160,000 square meters of surface area has already been identified across 12 municipalities, with the potential to accommodate up to 15,000 parking spaces. We have concentrated efforts on municipalities characterized not only by significant urban density but also by considerable tourist flows, taking into account the rapid growth of the tourism sector in recent years,’ Demo stated.

Demo highlighted that the third objective of the program is to regenerate former industrial sites—whether privatized, partially privatized, or state-owned—by converting them into community assets. The initiative aims to provide primary services such as sports and recreational facilities, while also fostering local economic development through new start-ups that can utilize these spaces.

Minister Demo continued by noting that the fourth objective is to raise the standards of public infrastructure by harmonizing local architecture with the offerings of cities, and above all, by unlocking new development potential for specific areas.

Minister Demo emphasized that the fourth objective focuses on enhancing public infrastructure standards, particularly in the pre-university education system. He noted that a broad team of domestic and international architects is working closely with municipalities to design projects that deliver genuine added value to local territories.

Minister Demo stated that the fifth objective is to promote innovation by encouraging local start-ups as drivers of economic development and opportunities for youth. He emphasized that while most start-ups currently emerge in Tirana due to the concentration of universities, the program aims to extend support nationwide, fostering a dynamic entrepreneurial landscape across the entire territory.

Minister Demo explained that the sixth objective focuses on improving the urban environment through comprehensive territorial coverage for waste management, while also addressing broader aspects of urban development.

Minister Demo emphasized that municipalities are working closely with the government to achieve full territorial coverage in waste management. He noted that this effort also aims to meet mandatory standards arising from European Union integration, beginning with recycling and extending beyond.”

Minister Demo explained that the seventh objective focuses on transforming urban public transport through the introduction of electric buses. Several municipalities will serve as models for this initiative, with the first pilot expected in the final quarter of the year. He emphasized that the central government will support municipalities in overcoming the significant capital investment barrier to ensure the service meets proper standards. The eighth objective, he added, is to promote healthy living by developing new recreational and sports spaces at the local level.

Minister Demo explained that the tenth objective is to strengthen municipal capacity for asset maintenance through the establishment of a new logistics fleet. This fleet, currently in the execution phase, will operate at the local level to address needs such as flood prevention, improved irrigation systems, and enhanced rural infrastructure to ensure better access. He further noted that the eleventh objective is the development of smart cities, advancing urban innovation through smart city initiatives.

Photo: Wikipedia