Last week, the Executive Director of the Swiss-based organization Helvetas, Melchior Lengsfeld, and the Regional Director for Eastern and Southeastern Europe, Matthias Herr, visited Albania. Their visit aimed to see firsthand the results of the joint work with municipalities, especially in the fields of local governance, service improvement, and community development. In this context, meetings were held with local representatives from the Municipality of Kukës and councilors from Mirdita and Has, as well as with officials in the Municipality of Kamez. The visit concluded with a meeting of the Helvetas Albania staff in Tirana, where the results, challenges, and future directions of the work were discussed. Albanian Daily News had the opportunity to interview Mr. Lengsfeld to discuss the concrete projects that Helvetas supports in Albania and their results so far. Read the interview below.

ADN: Mr. Lengsfield, you are visiting Albania this week. What is the purpose of your visit?

Melchior Lengsfeld: I am here to see first-hand the excellent work that our team in Albania has achieved over the years, together with our partners and local institutions. Helvetas has been present in Albania for more than two decades, and I wanted to personally acknowledge the results and the dedication of our colleagues and partners who have contributed in an inclusive way to strengthening governance, creating jobs, improving labor market services and at the end improving people’s lives, especially of the most disadvantages, like youth, rural communities and women.

At the same time, my visit is an opportunity to express our firm commitment to continue working in Albania. As the country has made great progress, however, there are still challenges ahead. For example, labor supply is becoming a burden for businesses with the emigration of youth and new trends of inward migration. These changes and challenges require agile management at governance levels as well as in the private sector and education and training institutions. In the field of governance, the ambitious program of the Albanian government to reform the administration of the subnational levels will benefit from international expertise and best practices. Helvetas remain committed to support Albanian thanks to our donors especially the governments of Switzerland and Sweden and recently also EU and the Netherlands. As a Swiss-based organization with affiliated offices in Germany and US, our international, Swiss, regional, and local expertise contribute to effective and inclusive reforms with great impact.

-Could you tell us, in which areas is Helvetas currently supporting Albania’s development?

-Our work focuses on several key areas that are essential for Albania’s progress and EU integration.

First, we strengthen local governance through Bashki të Forta, (Strong Municipalities) a project by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC and Government of Sweden, the Netherlands-funded Matra Government to Government (G2G) Project “Towards Democratic Local Governance: Albania and the Netherlands” Project, helping municipalities to improve services such as waste management and pre-school education. The goal is to make local institutions more transparent, accountable, and citizen-oriented.

Secondly, we have facilitated private sector growth through ‘RisiAlbania’, another Swiss government project, that worked to create quality jobs for young women and men aged 15–29 in the agribusiness, ICT, and tourism sectors. We support local public and private institutions to improve the labor market and career counselling services to help young people enter the labor market more effectively. In addition, we promote the growth of training opportunities in tourism and ICT, ensuring that young people gain the practical skills demanded by employers and achieve sustainable employability.

Finally, in Albania we promote inclusive and sustainable economic development through our regional Sweden funded RECONOMY program. This means supporting the green and inclusive economy, encouraging responsible business practices, and helping Albania align its development with EU environmental and economic standards. Another successful initiative on circular economy which we are implementing together with our partner GIZ and supported by EU is about promoting innovative business ideas on organic waste management. Some initial steps in this direction have been made already in the course of the Bashki të Forta project.

-The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has announced that it will gradually phase-out from Albania by 2028. How will this affect Helvetas’ presence in the country?

-The phasing out of SDC funds marks the end of one chapter, but certainly not the end of Swiss support to Albania. Switzerland remains a strong partner through SECO, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, which will continue to operate in Albania after 2028. The focus will be on economic development, private sector strengthening and climate change.

For Helvetas, this transition represents a new phase - not a departure. We will remain in Albania and continue to build on our strong foundation. Our partnerships with Swiss and Swedish governments as donors are expanding, and we are increasingly collaborating with European Union programmes. This will enable us to stay engaged in key reform areas in Albania, including governance, economic competitiveness, and regional development.

In short, Helvetas is here to stay. We will continue contributing to Albania’s long-term development and in the support of communities more in need.

-What makes Helvetas a trusted partner for Albania’s development?

-Helvetas combines deep local presence with global expertise. In Albania, we work hand in hand with over 160 institutions, ranging from government bodies to civil society and the private sector. Our approach is practical and results-driven: we build local capacities, foster partnerships, and ensure that progress is sustainable.

Our reputation as a neutral, professional, and reliable organization, rooted in Swiss values, helps us build trust with all actors. And our global network gives us the ability to adapt, innovate, and bring in best practices that are relevant for Albania’s current challenges and opportunities.

-What is your key message to Albanian institutions and citizens?

-My message is simple: Helvetas will continue to stand by Albania as a reliable and forward-looking partner. We will keep supporting the country’s development priorities and help ensure that economic growth and governance reforms translate into tangible benefits for all citizens.

Helvetas vision is for a world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner. /ADN