On 3 March 2023, a ground-breaking ceremony marked the beginning of an energy-efficient renovation of the Student City I campus dormitories in Tirana. The ceremony was attended by Alexis Hupin, the Chargé d´Affaires at the European Union Delegation to Albania, Brit Horschke, Director of KfW Office Albania, Peter Zingraf, German Ambassador in Albania, Evis Kushi, the Albanian Minister of Education, Sports and Youth and Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana.

The renovation is supported by a €4.78 million grant from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and €30 million loan and grant package from the German Federal Government through the KfW Development Bank.

The project consists of the rehabilitation of 19 dormitories to the EU Nearly-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard and construct at least 3 new energy efficient buildings. These improvements will decrease energy consumption by an average of 20%. 4,700 students will benefit from improved living conditions, while at least 70% of the dormitories’ capacity will be occupied by students with low incomes. The first 5 buildings are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

Alexis Hupin, EU Delegation to Albania: “We are extremely happy to continue supporting Albanian students and the youth of this country. Soon, thousands of Albanian students will have the same, if not better, living conditions as their peers in the EU. We are sure that future generations will take this innovative project as a future model to strive for more efficiency, green transition, and environmentally friendly solutions.”

Ambassador Zingraf: “With this project, we are improving the living conditions for many students – 70% of them from low-income backgrounds. At the same time, these measures support Albania in its move towards energy efficiency and meeting the requirements for EU accession."

The project Student City I is financed through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP), a flagship investment from the Economic and Investment Plan. REEP has received €100 million additional funding as part of the EU’s ambitious €1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans.

More about the Energy Support Package

More about the Economic and Investment Plan

More about the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP)