EU, Albania’s largest contributor and strategic partner in the green transition
Only during the first half of 2025, 81 projects with foreign financing are being implemented in Albania, with a total value of around 2.3 billion euros, where over 18.2% of this amount is directly related to climate and environmental interventions, proving that climate is now one of the main destinations of development financing in the country.”
In Tirana, the National Climate Finance Conference was held, where the Albanian Minister of Environment, Sofjan Jaupaj, presented the largest projects being developed in the country, noting that the European Union remains the largest contributor and Albania’s strategic partner in the green transition.
Under the IPA III instrument, Window 3 “Green Deal and Sustainable Connectivity” represents the main pillar of EU support for Albania.
About 15% of the IPA portfolio for Albania is dedicated to climate interventions, including the EU for Nature programs, EU for Circular Economy, EU for Water, the energy resilience package under IPA 2023 worth 80 million euros, as well as the EU for Forests program with 13 million euros under IPA 2024.
In addition, the Operational Programs 2024–2027, particularly the Operational Program for Energy Efficiency, with a total value of 79 million euros – where 50 million euros are the EU’s contribution and 29 million euros are national co-financing – directly address public buildings, e-mobility, renewable energy and railway electrification, aligning our national policies with the EU’s priorities for climate neutrality.
Minister Jaupaj announced that “within the framework of the Reform and Growth Facility, policy area no. 4 dedicated to clean energy foresees a fund of 127.8 million euros, which is expected to be absorbed by Albanian institutions after the implementation of sustainable reforms focused on climate and clean energy.”
In recent years, the green transition has turned into the fundamental axis of the modernization of the Albanian state, an axis that clearly defines the country’s ambition to advance as a European, resilient, competitive and future-oriented economy.
Likewise, in terms of finance, in addition to the European Union, the World Bank is currently implementing 1,474 million euros in projects, KfË and GIZ around 1,240 million euros, while Japan and AFD contribute sustainably to environmental projects with 717,500 euros and 610,000 euros respectively. Switzerland and Sweden also remain reliable partners in climate financing. (16 December)
