Threads of tradition: EU support helps Tropoja’s women preserve cultural heritage

The image of a mosque with two minarets stands at the centre of a tapestry woven on a loom in Tropoja during the 1940s. Created during a time of religious freedom, the tapestry was later hidden away when the communist regime banned religion. Inherited and secretly preserved for decades, it now serves as a model in the workshop of Tropoja’s artisan women—a symbol of resilience and continuity.

Located in the city centre, the workshop is more than a workplace. Here, women gather around looms and sewing machines, their hands moving with practised rhythm. Threads of wool and cotton are transformed into tapestries, carpets, traditional clothing, embroidered fabrics, bedspreads, bags and even handmade soaps infused with olive oil, sage or thyme.

Each tapestry carries traditional motifs: geometric figures that echo the eagle, Albania’s national symbol; colourful flowers that recall the surrounding mountains; and patterns that embody the spirit of the Alps and the region’s lofty valleys. Hour after hour, these designs come to life through the hands of women who have spent their lives in this rugged landscape.

For many of these women, the workshop is not only a cultural endeavour but also a lifeline and source of employment. Widowed, affected by blood feuds or facing difficult economic circumstances, some have turned to handicrafts as a way of preserving tradition while securing their livelihoods. In their work, heritage and everyday challenges are inseparable.

EU Delegation to Albania

The craft centre paves the way for empowerment, offering women the opportunity to work, produce and sell together. To advance women’s economic opportunities, six looms, a sewing machine, a laptop and a printer were provided through the Challenge Fund under the EU4Innovation project to the artisan collective Artizanet e Tropojës. Dedicated to preserving cultural heritage through authentic handmade products while empowering local women, the initiative combines traditional craftsmanship with environmentally friendly practices and provides a sustainable platform for economic and social development.

“This initiative has been a tremendous support for us. We work with looms to create carpets and tapestries; we embroider, do needlework, produce honey and traditional soaps, and prepare traditional foods. Some of us spend our days in the workshop, while others take orders and work from home. The women come from different areas, and some even walk for more than an hour to get here. What matters most is the commitment and the opportunity for employment.

“Our craft workshop is both a place of production and a showroom. Visitors stop by to admire our work and purchase souvenirs or carpets,” explains Dafina Gjeloshi, founder and leader of the women’s collective.

Their creations draw inspiration from nature, folklore and everyday life, offering visitors and customers around the world not only unique, high-quality products but also a meaningful connection to Tropoja’s rich traditions. Every purchase supports sustainability and cultural storytelling, making the products distinctive in both value and impact.

The EU4Innovation grant supported Artizanet e Tropojës in strengthening its business through the development of a website and e-commerce platform, as well as investment in new equipment. For Gjeloshi, the workshop is more than a source of economic support; it is also a gathering place for women.

EU Delegation to Albania

“We share our time and efforts together. I have been working with handicrafts for 20 years. With the growing number of tourists, I thought it would be better if we joined forces, worked collectively, shared knowledge and experience, and built a network among ourselves. We exchange designs and techniques, and we also teach our daughters the skills we have inherited. Occasionally, tourists even take part in workshops at our artisan centre,” she explains.

Most of the handmade garments require several weeks and multiple stages of work before they are completed, with traditional methods still being used to achieve their distinctive forms. The wide apron (peshtjellaku i gjerë) is one such example and requires particularly careful craftsmanship.

“To create the panels, the woollen fabric is first sewn by hand and then placed in very hot water. This process gives it the shape we see today, preserving the panels permanently without the need for ironing,” explains one of the women as she finishes shaping the apron and begins the embroidery.

New equipment now complements the women’s skills. Technology, once foreign to the rhythm of weaving, now supports it, ensuring that Tropoja’s artisans can reach markets beyond their valleys. Dozens of traditional costumes for boys, girls, women and men, alongside tapestries, carpets and even handmade horse saddles, are displayed in the workshop, which preserves one of the region’s oldest traditions.

Above them, the ceiling is crafted in the traditional trina style, using dried branches and shrubs, echoing the roofs that once covered many local homes.

Background information

EU4Innovation is a programme dedicated to strengthening Albania’s innovation ecosystem by promoting collaboration between academia, industry, government and civil society. Funded by the European Union, with additional support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the programme is structured around four key pillars: improving innovation policy and governance; supporting start-ups and businesses through financial and technical assistance; integrating entrepreneurship into education; and strengthening links between academia, industry and public institutions. The project places particular emphasis on education by promoting entrepreneurship as a core skill and integrating it into university curricula. This is achieved through piloting green and circular economy initiatives, organising awareness-raising events and developing targeted skills programmes. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among young people, the programme aims to equip the next generation with the tools needed to drive sustainable economic growth in Albania.