Social and environmental investments in Albania

In the Pashalli village in the municipality of Ura Vajgurore, more than 30 children between the ages of three and six went to kindergarten in a former military building. The facilities and hygiene of the kindergarten were poor, posing a risk the children’s health. TAP decided to rebuild this kindergarten, the only one in the area and, therefore, of great importance to the local community.

As the only school in the area, Tre Dëshmorët needed immediate attention to its building and grounds. The inside of the building was in good condition. But the facades and schoolyard needed urgent improvement. Following discussions with the local authority, TAP volunteered to fund the works.

The children going to the kindergarten in the village of Dushnik used to cram into two classrooms part of the local elementary school. The facilities were far from being suitable for the needs of the 72 children, so TAP decided to intervene and build a one-floor building in the school yard. The new kindergarten now provides optimal conditions for the children in Dushnik.

The Hasan Ngjela elementary school and kindergarten, with 180 pupils, lies in the centre of Veterrik village and at the heart of the local community. But the building was riddled with damp and in urgent need of renovation. The local municipality of Berat, in central Albania, had made this a high priority and asked for help

‘We clean the Albania we love’ was a campaign launched by the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment in December 2017. Part of the campaign involved clearing debris from the Osumi River in Berat and deepening the river bed. Supporting the government initiative, TAP provided ten excavators and heavy trucks to clear the riverbed between Gorica and the New Bridge.

Vexhi Buharaja is the main public library in the city of Berat, serving its residents since 1973. Sadly, a lack of adequate furniture and fittings for its reading rooms and archive meant the library had to remain closed to the public after its refurbishment in 2016. Shelves were overflowing and many of the library’s 35,000 books were being stored on the floor.

The "Llukë Mita" elementary school is located in the village of Konizbalta, in the municipality of Ura Vajgurore. The school facilities also serve as a kindergarten. However, the building had deteriorated and became unsuitable for teaching. TAP decided to include this facility in its SEI programme. The brand-new building now provides optimal study conditions for 70 students and 30 children attending the kindergarten.

The "7 Deshmoret" school is located in the Struma village, part of the Roskovec Municipality. Built in 1997, it had never been renovated. Thanks to TAP’s investment in refurbishing this school, 290 students and 14 teachers now benefit from modern study conditions. An additional 50 students are expected to attend the school given its increased capacity.

The “Skënderbej” square is the most important and the largest pedestrian area in Albania. As part of its SEI programme, TAP decided to add some colour to this landmark. In collaboration with Raiffeisen Bank, TAP donated 36 ENZO Benches to the Municipality of Tirana. The benches were produced by the Museum Quarter in Vienna, Austria.

Albanian photographer Gjon Mili is one of the pioneers in the use of stroboscopic instruments. Fully committed to protecting the tradition and cultural heritage across its host countries, TAP supported the renovation of an iconic building in Korca to house a museum celebrating Mili’s life and contribution to the world of photography. The new Gjon Mili museum of photography opened its doors to the public in December 2018 and exhibits over 240 of his photographs. Tourists can now discover first-hand the work of one of Korca’s key personalities.

Aiming to ensure young professionals succeed beyond university auditoriums, TAP is running an internship programme in Albania. During a period of six months, a small group of talented students have the opportunity to work in the project’s key departments and receive coaching from leading experts in the energy industry. The first two rounds of TAP’s Internship Programme were successfully concluded, while the third round (April-September 2018) is under way.

Environment and safety are at the heart of the TAP project. In March 2018, TAP joined the Tirana Municipality’s tree planting campaign by providing 1,000 Cypress trees for the capital’s Artificial Lake Park. The investment amounts to €50,000. The first trees were planted by TAP employees and the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.

When host communities’ vital water supply was in serious need of rehabilitation, TAP was there to help. Mbrostar is a group of villages (Petove, Makaj, Verri, Kallm, Mojalli) in Albania’s Fier municipality. Its ageing water system was no longer meeting the needs of the area’s 10,500 residents.

TAP joined forces with a leading Albanian NGO to successfully tackle litter at five problem sites along the pipeline’s route during the summer of 2018.

Even the best land needs efficient irrigation and drainage to make the most of its agricultural potential. Farmers in the villages of Kuç and Bilisht, in southeast Albania, know this only too well. For the past 20 years they were unable to make best use of their fertile land, frustrated by an irrigation system being in a very poor condition.

TAP delivered 600 backpack fire extinguishers and 100 fire-retardant uniforms to the Albanian authorities. This equipment enables firefighters to be more efficient when fighting wildfires, as well as reduce the risks of heat exposure. Emergency services across Albania received this equipment in August and September 2017.

The main bridge in the Albanian city of Çorovoda was narrow, in poor conditions and only allowed one-way traffic. The bridge facilitates access to the main hospital in Çorovoda and other touristic sights in this part of Albania. TAP intervened and constructed a two-lane bridge which now allows safer transport, supporting the local economy and tourism.

Visiting the Osumi Canyon, one of Albania’s most beautiful landmarks, was difficult and unsafe. TAP and the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF) partnered to build two modern panoramic platforms, enabling better and safer access for over 15,000 tourists every year. The total investment amounts to €132,000 and approximately 100 people were employed in the process.

The sport facilities of the “Andon Profka” school in the Seman village, Fier, were in poor condition. In 2015, TAP decided to offer the 270 students attending this school and the community completely renovated sport facilities. In addition to the school gym, TAP also improved the schoolyard and the school roof.

In light of the harsh 2016/2017 winter, TAP assisted approximately 1,300 families from 100 villages along the pipeline route and beyond. The initiative was implemented in collaboration with the Red Cross in Albania as well as the local authorities.

In February 2016, the area of Otllak, Ura Vajgurore, was impacted by severe floods. Understanding the needs of this community, TAP provided support to approximately 220 families by donating emergency packages.

Road traffic continues to be one of the main safety issues in Albania. In 2016, 269 people lost their lives in road accidents. In response to this situation, TAP initiated an education and awareness programme focused on the students and communities along the pipeline route.