TIRANA (Albania), February 28 (SeeNews) – The Delegation of the European Union to Albania said it has launched a 7.5 million euro ($8.5 million) programme for strengthening the innovation ecosystem in Albania in cooperation with the governments of Germany and Sweden.
The programme’s objective is to create an environment attracting and cultivating talents and to support a number of Albanian startups to become successful, the EU delegation said in a statement earlier this week.
The project will be implemented by German development agency GIZ and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Calls for applications are expected to open in April.
“A highly skilled workforce is critical for a successful ecosystem. Universities, high schools, and other learning institutions should respond, and in fact anticipate, the needs and demands of business and the industry,” the head of the EU delegation to Albania, Luigi Soreca, said.
The EU ambassador noted that Albania needs a targeted regulatory environment that supports start-ups – for example through favorable tax terms for entrepreneurs and employees in start-ups.
“I am proud that the EU is putting 6.6 million euro in this 7.5 million euro project,” Soreca said.
Albania was granted EU candidate status in 2014 and hopes to launch membership negotiations later this year.
($ = 0.87860 euro)