RisiAlbania – Partner for Growth

Tourism – New Models for Growth

Helvetas Albania through RisiAlbania project, has helped transform tourism by promoting inland destinations and all‑year‑round packages. It supported the creation of Destination Management Organizations such as Visit Gjirokastra and introduced innovative hospitality models like Alberghi Diffusi, which bring life back to historic towns. In addition, we have promoted sustainable tourism standards, including the adoption of GSTC criteria and supporting the Ministry of Tourism’s membership in the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. These efforts have made tourism in Albania more diverse, sustainable, and professional, while aligning with international best practices and creating more and better jobs.

ICT – Expanding Opportunities

In the ICT sector, the project strengthened the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, helping it expand beyond call centers into higher‑value services and promoting Albania as a competitive outsourcing destination. It supported the government in feasibility studies for technology parks and the development of an e‑commerce strategy, addressing challenges in digital transactions and online payments. To enhance competitiveness and investor confidence at EU market level, local companies and institutions were certified with international standards such as ISO 27001 and ISO 27701, advancing cybersecurity and data protection.

Agriculture – Standards and Exports

RisiAlbania introduced and mainstreamed GLOBALG.A.P. standards, ensuring Albanian products meet international quality requirements. It supported the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and helped establish export management as a new profession, opening pathways for farmers and businesses to reach international markets. In addition, it promoted good practices in MAPs, with the latest National Compendium produced by the University of Agriculture in Albania, inspired and supported by a Swiss model. These efforts have strengthened competitiveness, sustainability, and professionalization in Albania’s agricultural sector.

Skills Development – Preparing for the Future

The project invested thoroughly in skills that match market demand, ensuring stronger links between education and employment. It developed training programmes in tourism and ICT and promoted blended learning approaches that combine theory with practice. Moreover, it supported the establishment of Skills Sector Committees to align vocational education and training (VET) with labor market needs. At the same time, it strengthened the quality of non‑formal training provision, bringing it in line with the National Qualification Framework. As a result, thousands of young people gained the skills required to succeed in modern industries.

Career Guidance – A National Service

RisiAlbania revitalized career guidance in Albania by opening the country’s first free community career centers at municipal levels in Tirana, Elbasan, Lushnje and Berat. It also facilitated expansion and improvement of services at universities and private providers. It also helped introduce Albania’s first Master’s programme in Professional Orientation. The project also built the capacities of career counselors in major universities, inspiring the creation of an ongoing network of Albania’s career counselors as a community of practice beyond the project. To strengthen the Career Guidance service, it developed tools and resources such as standardized career tests for local Albanian context, detailed descriptions of the 100 most in‑demand professions, and online platforms like karriera.tirana.al and expertlane.al, making guidance accessible nationwide. These innovations, adapted to Albania’s context, professionalized the field and turned career guidance into a recognized service that helps thousands of young people make informed choices about their future.

Legacy

Through RisiAlbania’s support, more than 10,000 young people found jobs and over 20,000 were trained in market‑relevant skills. Career guidance services reached 40,000+ youth, giving them tools to make informed choices about their future. These opportunities generated over €30 million in additional income for businesses in ICT, Tourism and Agriculture sectors across Albania. New professions and services from export managers to career counselors, have become part of the country’s labor market, shaping a more dynamic and inclusive economy. RisiAlbania ended in October 2025, but its impact continues. The systems it helped build — from career guidance services to national skills frameworks, from GLOBALG.A.P. in agriculture to DMOs in tourism — remain in place. The project showed how innovation, inclusion, and partnership can change the way a country supports its young people.

Project Facts

• Name: RisiAlbania – Partner for Growth

• Duration: 2013-2025

• Focus Areas: Job Creation in Agriculture, ICT, Tourism; Skills Development; Career Guidance

• Funding & Support: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC),

• Implemented by: Helvetas Albania in partnership with Partners Albania for Change and Development

• Reach: National scope

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