EIT Community RIS Hub in Albania
Igniting Innovation Capacities in Albania
Albania is considered an emerging innovator by the European Innovation Scoreboard, and its innovation ecosystem. The involvement of Albania in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme from January 1st, 2025 is one notable step to invigorate growth and development.
There are a lot of possibilities to strengthen long-term incubation programs that would help aspiring entrepreneurs. Albania can improve university-led incubation programs by creating a consistent flow of financing and encouraging university involvement in entrepreneurship. The establishment of technology transfer offices and more R&D spending will also allow for commercialization, allowing start-ups to successfully absorb and employ new technologies.
Albania’s association agreements with EU programs also provide important access to funds, which might further stabilize the innovation environment. Enhanced data collection on R&D will hence further improve the standing of Albania as an emerging innovator.
This would help to foster a strong local innovation ecosystem, important for driving improved economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. By breeding an enabling environment that nourishes new ideas, products, and services, Albanian firms will be more competitive in the global marketplace. The virtuous cycle of economic success will be created by investing in and nurturing local innovators, attracting foreign investments. This will dynamically keep Albania flexible and reactive to the changed market demands.
EIT Community Hub Albania will enable joint learning and initiatives through best practices and synergies built on common geographical and thematic interest.
About the EIT Community RIS Hub
The EIT Community Hub Albania is committed to promoting innovation for economic growth and societal welfare, acting as a contact gateway for local stakeholders toward EIT Community programs. It will facilitate cross-KIC coordination in aligning KIC programs at the national level and initiates joint activities among EIT KICs on projects in line with RIS3 priorities.
The Hub will promote the EIT by collecting and disseminating information on KIC activities, results, and opportunities to local stakeholders. It will also scout for local funding options by coordinating the identification of funding opportunities and facilitating joint proposals for national and regional funding. The Hub will drive local communication activities for EIT KICs and organize awareness-raising events and coordinating the participation of EIT Community representatives in relevant national events.
Partnerships have been already established with organizations like NCPs, NASRI, and the EIT Raw Materials Regional Innovation Center. The Hub plans various meetings with EIT Raw Materials to align initiatives and organize workshops on sustainable resource management and advanced materials.
The Hub is located in a favorable area in Tirana, Albania, the office is near various important stakeholders, ensuring that innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from all Albania can benefit from EIT Community initiatives.
“The EIT Community Hub in Albania is a strategic initiative aimed at increasing the participation of Albanian innovators in the EIT Community activities. This new presence represents a gateway to countless opportunities, enabling us to collaborate more closely with local talent, researchers, HEIs and the national business sector, to drive forward ground-breaking initiatives that will shape the future. This is an excellent opportunity for the new generation of entrepreneurs as the Hub will integrate with Europe’s larger innovation ecosystem while giving local stakeholders the networks and resources, they need to turn ideas into meaningful solutions by encouraging cross-KIC collaboration. As the ECO for Albania, I look forward to collaborate closely with our partners to turn ideas into significant and scalable results that may contribute to the development of a brighter future for our nation”.
MS. FRANÇESKA KORANÇE, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER ALBANIA
EIT Funding & Impact
In 2022, Albania made remarkable strides in enhancing its innovation and research capacities, largely thanks to additional funding provided by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). This support enabled the successful implementation of various projects that have left a significant impact on the country’s higher education and technological landscape. One such initiative, HEI4Future, focused on strengthening the collaboration between Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across Europe. The University of Elbasan “Aleksandër Xhuvani” became a key beneficiary of this effort. The project introduced entrepreneurship-focused activities such as workshops, mentoring programs, and mobility initiatives, all designed to nurture innovation and support the development of critical skills. Similarly, the OASIS project brought transformative opportunities to Albania, with Kolegji Universitar LOGOS participating as a partner. This initiative centered on integrating open science technologies to address pressing educational and labor market challenges. By doing so, it contributed to the nation’s ongoing digital transformation and broader sustainable development goals. Polis University also played a prominent role in this wave of innovation through its involvement in the DeepGreenInno project. As part of the European Deep Tech Talent Initiative, this project focused on capacity building for the participating HEIs, including Albania, and emphasized the cultivation of expertise in deep technology fields. These efforts highlight the transformative role of EIT funding in empowering Albanian institutions to actively contribute to the broader innovation ecosystem.
About the EIT Community Officer
Ms. Françeska Korançe
EIT Community Officer Albania, CEO Build Green Group
Ms. Françeska Korançe (PhD) is an expert and consultant with more than 13 (thirteen) years of experience in the field of research and innovation, with extensive knowledge of the Albanian ecosystem. Over the course of her career, she has been part in many initiatives fostering stakeholder engagement, designing and leading capacity-building efforts, and providing funding opportunities to the innovation landscape of a variety of entities (including Academia, Chambers of Commerce, MSMEs, CSOs, and public institutions); leading to the establishment of a wide network at the local, national, regional and international scale. Additionally, she possesses a deep understanding of EU funding schemes, programs and projects; as well as a comprehensive expertise in project management from diverse donors. As the EIT Community Officer, Françeska’s primary goal is to unlock the potential of Albania’s innovation ecosystem by fostering collaboration and leveraging the opportunities and resources provided by EIT.
Contact Details
- Email: albania@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +355 69 223 5144
- Address: Str. Nikolla Tupe, Nd. 4, Ap. 2, Tirana, Albania.
- LinkedIn: EIT Community Hub Albania
Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Albania's innovation ecosystem and the activities of EIT Community Hub Albania.
