In the past 25 years, Albania’s dynamic private sector drove the transition that pulled the country’s development forward to a middle-income status. However, Albanian companies still have a low awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as their impact on the environment and society at large. 

SDGs provide a critical window of opportunity to rethink its present and future role. Long-term choices in sustainability can give Albanian companies a strategic advantage in the future, even more crucial in relation to the challenges of our times, such as the energy crisis, inflation, lack of raw materials and skilled workers, as well as the ongoing EU integration process. Combined with updates in business and trade regulation at a national level, for instance with regards to export, recycling and traceability, these practices can contribute to increase the resilience of Albanian companies and support their sustainable growth over time. 

During its pilot phase, the project has undertaken extensive research on the two sectors of focus: agro-processing and textile. Based on its outcomes and leveraging the network of companies built over time, the implementing agencies are well equipped to expand their reach and scale up their impact across different value chains and geographical areas of Albania. Flagships initiative such as the “Business #2030 Conference” and the “SDG Business Pioneers Award” will continue to catalyze the interest and enthusiasm of the Albanian business community while connecting them to Swedish and international models.