The European Union, the French Development Agency and Albania marked on Thursday the launch of the first phase of a major project to upgrade Durrës’ wastewater infrastructure in line with EU standards, improving sanitation services for citizens while bringing Albania closer to EU accession.

This investment combines an Euro 85 million EU grant, provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, with a Euro 33.4 million sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD). The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy will implement the project in cooperation with the National Water and Sewerage Agency (AKUK).

AFD CEO Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Albania Catherine Suard and the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania Ritva Heikkinen, together with the Minister of Infrastructures and Energy Enea Karakaçi and the Mayor of Durrës Emiriana Sako, visited the project site in Durrës. Works are expected to start in 2027.

The Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania Ritva Heikkinen said that this is one of the EU’s largest grant investments in Albania to date, and we look forward to seeing its impact on the lives of Durrës residents and on the health of the Adriatic coast. “Upgrading wastewater infrastructure to EU standards is an important part of Albania’s EU accession process and requires significant investment. This project is a significant step forward in addressing Albania’s much larger environment investment needs. The EU stands ready to support Albania in preparing mature projects and mobilizing the financing needed to deliver them,” he noted.

Also, AFD CEO Christophe Lecourtier said: “We are very proud to launch this flagship project for Durrës, which will significantly improve wastewater management in one of Albania’s most important cities and tourism destinations. By upgrading the wastewater treatment plant to serve up to 340,000 people, expanding collection and treatment, and bringing services closer to EU standards, this investment will deliver tangible benefits for citizens, public health and the protection of the Adriatic coast.”

Currently, only an estimated 20% of Durrës’ wastewater is treated in accordance with EU standards, contributing to significant pollution of the Adriatic coast and wider environmental, economic and health costs.

The project will also contribute directly to Albania’s alignment with European environmental standards under Chapter 27 of the EU accession negotiations. Its launch follows several years of preparatory work.