The EU4Nature programme continues to play a central role in supporting Albania’s transition toward EU-compliant nature protection, contributing directly to the target of protecting 25% of land and marine areas by 2030. Implemented by the European Union, UNDP, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the programme focuses on strengthening legal frameworks, institutional capacities, and practical conservation measures.
Using water quality monitoring toolkits
Discussing of Dajti Mountain National Park Business Plan;
Joint meeting with ASPA on the e-learning modules
Round table discussion on species reference lists at the Faculty of Natural Sciences
Over the past year, Albania has advanced its alignment with the EU Nature Directives through targeted legal and institutional support. EU4Nature has contributed to drafting key by-laws and improving coordination among national and regional authorities, particularly the Ministry of Environment and the National Agency of Protected Areas. New governance tools for Protected Area Management Committees have enhanced decision-making and operational consistency.
A major achievement has been the introduction of digital systems for revenue collection in protected areas. The rollout of e-invoicing and e-ticketing has increased transparency, reduced informal practices, and enabled real-time financial monitoring.
The programme introduced digital revenue systems across protected areas, including e-ticketing in three pilot sites with over 8,600 tickets issued, the adoption of fiscalized invoicing by seven RAPAs and NAPA, and the standardization of more than 95 ecosystem service fee categories. This marks an important step toward modern, accountable management of ecosystem services.
Capacity development has remained a cornerstone of the programme. Through structured training programmes, workshops, and an expanding e-learning platform, over 150 professionals have strengthened their knowledge of Natura 2000, protected area management, and EU standards. Collaboration with the Albanian School of Public Administration ensures sustainability and institutional integration of these efforts.
The programme has also prioritized youth engagement through the Youth4Nature initiative, empowering young professionals to contribute to conservation activities and environmental awareness. This approach is fostering a new generation of environmental stewards and strengthening community involvement, with currently 20 young professionals engaged through Youth4Nature.
Progress in protected area management has been significant. New management plans, biodiversity assessments, and socio-economic studies, such as those conducted in the Shala Valley, are improving planning and decision-making. The application of the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT-4) across pilot sites is helping to systematically assess and improve performance.
EU4Nature has further supported the use of modern technologies, including GIS mapping and biodiversity databases, which are essential for Natura 2000 preparation and EU reporting requirements. At the same time, field-level investments, such as drones, monitoring equipment, and firefighting tools, have strengthened operational capacities and resilience to environmental risks.
Efforts to combat environmental crime and promote sustainable development have also been reinforced through targeted trainings and cross-institutional cooperation.
Despite challenges related to financial and administrative constraints, the programme remains on track. Its integrated approach, combining policy reform, digital innovation, capacity building, and field support,continues to deliver tangible results. EU4Nature is not only advancing Albania’s EU integration process but also ensuring that biodiversity conservation becomes a practical and lasting national priority.
EU4Nature Team