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Fiorda Llukmani, Project Officer at the Centre for Social Innovation in Austria, is currently undertaking a two-week fellowship at the National Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation (NASRI) in Albania. The fellowship, organised within the framework of the POLICY ANSWERS project, aimed to explore how the research ecosystem operates in Albania and to facilitate participation in European research and innovation programmes. As part of this fellowship, study visits were organised, including a visit to EIT RawMaterials Regional Innovation Centre in Elbasan, Albania. The Centre plays a crucial role in strengthening Albania’s innovation capacity in the raw materials sector and in building stronger connections with European initiatives.
The Regional Innovation Centre operates as a public entity under the authority of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy responsible for mining and industry. It is based at the University of Elbasan, just 30 minutes from Tirana, and is part of the broader EIT RawMaterials network. The Centre’s mission is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable practices in Albania’s raw materials sector, working through a quadruple helix platform that brings together government, academia, industry, and civil society.
During the visit, it was also highlighted that Elbasan has been selected to become a climate-neutral city by 2030, a goal closely aligned with the Centre’s commitment to introducing green technologies and promoting sustainable resource management.
Albania is rich in raw materials and minerals, representing significant untapped economic potential. To better support the development of this sector, EIT RawMaterials in Elbasan is currently working to finalise a comprehensive national map, which will provide a single platform showcasing detailed data across the entire natural mineral resources value chain in Albania — including occurrences, prospects, and deposits. This strategic mapping effort aims to unlock investment opportunities, support research, and promote better management and sustainable use of Albania’s valuable mineral resources.
The Centre’s key objectives include:
- Supporting Albania’s role as a strategic contributor to the European supply chain of critical raw materials (CRM).
- Promoting research, innovation, and green technologies in the mining and raw materials sectors.
- Facilitating skills development and entrepreneurship, with a strong focus on empowering women and young researchers.
- Contributing to the Government’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, where the raw materials sector is identified as one of three main priority areas.
- Drafting the Roadmap for Critical and Strategic Raw Materials by the end of 2024, mapping Albania’s mineral potential and aligning it with European market demands.
Additionally, the Centre plays an important role in supporting Albania’s contribution to the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, aimed at ensuring secure and sustainable supply chains for Europe.
Looking ahead, the Centre will host a regional event, “Challenges and Perspectives of the Mining Sector in Albania and the Region within the Framework of the Critical Raw Materials Act“, scheduled for 21–22 May 2025 in Tirana. This event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss challenges, innovations, and future opportunities for the mining sector in Albania and the wider region.
Fiorda Llukmani’s visit underscored the strategic role that the EIT RawMaterials Regional Innovation Centre is playing, not only in advancing Albania’s raw materials sector but also in supporting broader regional development and deeper integration with European innovation ecosystems.
