Kick-off meeting of grant beneficiaries in Mallakastër: The local community at the heart of tourism-led development”

On 12 February 2026, the Municipality of Mallakastër hosted the Kick-off Meeting of the project “EU for Economic Development – Tourism-led Local Economic Development, with a Focus on Cultural Heritage.”

The event brought together local authorities, representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, AICS, ART-ER, grant beneficiaries, local operators, technical experts, and members of the community. The strong participation confirmed the high level of interest in the project and its potential to generate tangible impact across the territory.

The meeting was opened by the Mayor of Mallakastër, Mr. Qerim Ismaili, who emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative for local economic development and for the valorisation of the area’s rich cultural heritage.

The Programme Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Albania, Ms. Entela Sulka, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive local economic development models rooted in culture. She also highlighted the importance of complying with EU visibility requirements in all project activities.

The AICS Project Team Leader, Mr. Ilir Parangoni, presented the strategic framework of the initiative, underlining tourism as a driver of local economic development and the added value of the initiatives financed through the grant scheme. He also provided an overview of the activities implemented so far, the key achievements, and the expected results for 2026.

Project partner and grantees present their initiatives

ART-ER, partner for the project’s local development component, presented the work carried out to date, the technical assistance provided to beneficiaries, and the actions planned for 2026, with a focus on consolidating results and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the interventions.

The five beneficiary organizations presented their initiatives, outlining objectives, planned activities, expected economic and social impact, and the involvement of the local community. The projects demonstrated a strong territorial dimension and a clear ambition to generate employment, strengthen local value chains, and promote cultural heritage through innovative approaches.

Community members actively engaged in the discussions, showing strong interest and constructive commitment toward the further advancement of the initiatives.

The projects financed through the grant scheme will be implemented until the end of 2026, providing sufficient time to ensure quality delivery, meaningful community engagement, and measurable results in the development of the territory of Mallakastër