The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and EU4Innovation inaugurated today the new EIT Community Hub in Albania at Europe House. This center, designed to strengthen collaboration between business, education, and scientific research by connecting them with Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem, is the first of its kind in Albania. Local talents and entrepreneurs will benefit from the opportunities provided by the EIT community in education, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

The opening event was attended by high-ranking national, regional, and European officials.

The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, Hubert Perr, emphasized in his speech:
“The EU actively supports Albania’s innovation ecosystem through our EU4Innovation program. Today, we take another important step with the opening of the first EIT Community Hub in Albania, which will serve as a bridge between the Albanian and European innovation ecosystems, fostering cooperation between businesses, educational institutions, and researchers. The EIT Community Hub in Albania, a result of excellent Team Europe collaboration, will further enhance Albania’s innovation potential. Through modern education and training systems, Albania will be able to address one of its biggest challenges: brain drain. The EU is committed to contributing to tackling this issue by supporting the country in improving education quality, equipping students with relevant skills, and ensuring they have opportunities to build their future in Albania.”

EIT Director Martin Kern congratulated the EU and EU4Innovation on this initiative, stating:
“The new EIT Community Hub in Albania will represent all EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) and will focus on attracting and engaging an increasing number of local participants in EIT Community activities.”

EU4Innovation supports the establishment of the EIT Community Hub in Albania as part of its mission to drive economic transformation towards an innovative and knowledge-based economy, leveraging Albania’s human capital, entrepreneurial potential, and research capabilities. This initiative is a key pillar of the project, focused on fostering innovation, entrepreneurial skills, and the co-creation and sharing of knowledge among stakeholders in the quadruple helix model.

EU4Innovation is a project co-financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and SIDA. It is implemented by GIZ Albania and the Swedish Embassy in Albania.

This new center is part of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS), which aims to foster innovation across Europe.

The European Union, Germany, and Sweden are working to create jobs in Albania through the development of an innovative economy. The project harnesses Albania’s human capital, entrepreneurial drive, and research potential.