Closing Meeting of the Project "Montenegro and Albania Towards Zero Waste"

The closing conference of the project "Montenegro and Albania Towards Zero Waste", financed by the European Union, under the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Montenegro – Albania, was held and implemented by the Albanian Foundation for Local Capacity Development (ALCDF), in cooperation with partners from Montenegro, the Regional Development Agency of Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije, and Zero Waste Montenegro. The project focused on the area of Margegaj Administrative Unit in Tropojë Municipality and Gucija Commune in Montenegro. At this meeting, the achievements of the project "Montenegro and Albania Zero Waste", challenges and positive experiences to date were presented by the community and local business to all participants from Tropojë Municipality, Margegaj Administrative Unit, schools, local businesses, civil society, local managers, project beneficiaries, and local media.

A welcome speech was delivered by the Administrator of Margegaj Administrative Unit, Ms. Aurela Dega, who appreciated the work done by the project team and highlighted the positive change the project has brought to the environment of Margegaj Unit. The Mayor of Tropojë Municipality, Mr. Rexh Byberi, in his welcoming remarks emphasized that for Tropojë Municipality, Valbona and tourism are priorities, therefore he as mayor and his staff have supported such initiatives, which contribute to improving cleaning services and better conditions for the many tourists who visit Tropojë.

Welcoming remarks were made by project beneficiaries and success models which distinguished themselves in waste management, source separation, recycling, reuse, composting and the reuse center. Representatives of the ALCDF Foundation spoke about the achievements, challenges and sustainability of the project in the future, which will remain in the hands of Tropojë Municipality, which already has a management plan, has established zero waste practice models, and will soon apply to become part of the network of European Zero Waste Municipalities. The conference was closed with conclusions by Vice-Mayor of Tropojë Municipality, Mr. Abedin Kërnaja, who emphasized that the partnership created in this project was a good lesson for Tropojë Municipality, which will continue to cooperate in the future on cross-border cooperation projects, and will continue to better manage waste management, and later this initiative in Margegaj will extend throughout Tropojë.