Promoting regional economic development in Albania through improved vocational education and training

Context

Albania is on the threshold of transitioning towards a market economy, but it continues to struggle with high youth unemployment and growing migration trends. The business environment in Albania is mainly characterised by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). However, their contribution to the economic growth of the country is still small scale.

Objective

Both the economic development and the employment situation in Albania are improving throughout the country, with a special focus on green and digital skills as well as business processes.

Approach 

ProSEED 2.0 has three main components contained under one umbrella. They aim to:

• improve vocational education and training (VET) and modernise qualifications and curricula by integrating digital and green elements into 10 VET courses. The programme also provides the requisite equipment and training to VET personnel. Approximately 5,000 people are now gaining green and digital skills via non-formal and formal qualification measures.
• support MSMEs with a focus on improving the competitiveness of around 800 MSMEs by digitalising their business processes and introducing green business elements. Five new business development services will be established at national, regional or local level.
• provide policy development support to enhance the capabilities of the Ministry of Finance and Economy and its subordinate institutions to develop four new employment-related strategies or action plans that include digital or green economic aspects.

ProSEED 2.0 joins forces with the co-funded project EU4Innovation. This Multi-Donor Action strives to improve the business environment, innovate the ecosystem and investment climate as well as increase the exposure of Albanian start-ups regionally and internationally.

Last update: March 2023