The delegation also toured the extraordinary mosaics of Bylis, where AICS introduced its upcoming capacity-building program, scheduled to start implementation in September 2025. The program aims to train not only the new park administration but also students and other heritage professionals from across Albania.

With a ceremony at the Multifunctional Center of Pogradec, some results of the project “Lakes of Albania” – funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by the italian civil society organizations COSV and VIS – have been presented to the local community: the booklet “Tales from the Legends of the Lake” and two videos aiming at encouraging responsible and inclusive tourism in Pogradec/Ohrid, entitled “Dare to join, or miss the fun” and “The Chestnut Trail”, already disseminated on social media and quickly became popular.

The project, titled “Ho(spitable) Re(silient) Ca(pable): Support to the Labour Market Integration of Young People in the Hospitality Industry” targets the hotel, restaurant, and catering (HoReCa) sector — one of Kosovo’s fastest-growing industries with strong potential for job creation.

Both projects are funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) through CIHEAM Bari, in cooperation with institutions across all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the same occasion, the launch of a new project was announced: ProBio BiH – “Promoting Local Biodiversity through Nature-Based Innovation in the Agri-Food Sector in BiH“. Both projects are funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) through CIHEAM Bari, in cooperation with institutions across all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This is the second consecutive year for AICS Tirana at the Rimini fair dedicated to the fruit and vegetable sector, proving the job carried out on the field and the commitment of the local office of the Italian cooperation to support small Albanian agricultural producers.

Known as “Bylis and Klos”, according with the two involved archaeological parks, the project aims at preserving and restoring the remarkable archaeological heritage of the area, including a conservation plan and a significant improvement of touristic services through the set-up of a multifunctional center also for scientific purposes.

In a ceremony held today at the Archaeological Museum of Tirana, AICS Tirana and the Albanian Institute of Archaeology (IA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the Conservation Plan and the Multifunctional Center of the Byllis Archaeological Park, which includes the ancient cities of Byllis and Klos.

The workshop “Environmental Crimes and Environmental Protection” took place within the framework of the “EU for Nature” project, funded by the European Union and Sida, and implemented by AICS and UNDP.

Funded with 2.1 million euros over a total duration of 36 months, the project aims to strengthen gender-sensitive governance, combat gender-based violence, and promote the economic and social empowerment of women in rural communities.