Blog
News

THE HISTORY OF AN ART GALLERY

ON THE OCCASION OF 10th ANNIVERSARY OF GALERIAKALO   With the exhibition titled PROMENADE organized last week, FONDACIONI KALO ART and GALERIAKALO celebrated their 10th anniversary. A selected number of artworks by Masters, and other well-established artists were displayed on that occasion.  GALERIAKALO was founded in November 2014 to support …

Read More
News

Environment Paying Price of Albania’s Failure to Rehabilitate after Mining

A law requiring mining companies to rehabilitate the environment after their operations shut down is being almost completely ignored, and the state has failed to step in. Original post Here

Read More
News

Albania joins SEPA, marking tangible step in economic integration with the EU

TIRANA, Nov. 22, 2024 – Albania’s application to join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) has been approved, and the country will join on Jan. 1, 2025, alongside Montenegro, the central bank announced Thursday.  SEPA membership is particularly important because it is a rare tangible measure of EU integration at …

Read More
News

Albania Condemns ‘Passivisation’ of Albanians’ Addresses in South Serbia

Albania joined Kosovo in criticising Serbia’s practice of marking ethnic Albanians’ addresses as ‘inactive’, describing it as a “violation of human rights and standards for the protection of minorities”. Original post Here

Read More
News

Western Balkans’ Biodiversity Threatened by Development and Mismanagement, Report Warns

German-based EuroNatur Foundation report highlights escalating threats to ecosystems im Western Balkans, saying development pressures, policy gaps and poor enforcement of rules jeopardise their future. Original post Here

Read More
News

As Borders Tighten, Violence Rises on Migrant Route Through the Balkans

With the EU tightening its borders, violent transnational smuggling groups have strengthened their grip on the smuggling route that brings refugees and migrants to Europe through the Balkans. Original post Here

Read More
News

Balkan Countries at UN Climate Summit: Touting Renewables, Chasing Gas Deals

The COP29 climate change summit in Baku has proven a lucrative side hustle for the host – gas-producing, oil-rich Azerbaijan – with Balkan visitors lining up to strike deals. Original post Here

Read More
News

The Re-election of Donald Trump and its Implications

By Bernd J. Fischer Professor Emeritus ,Indiana University On November 6th the world woke to what was, for many, an unexpected event, the re-election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Since then, there has been considerable speculation generated concerning how this happened, and some anxiety about what …

Read More
News

Albanian Minister’s Bargain Lakeside Land Purchase ‘Raises Red Flags’

Experts say the details of a 2021 land deal involving Albania’s current justice minister warrant investigation. Original post Here

Read More
News

Reality Bites: Illegal, Isolated, Overworked Albanians Count Cost of UK Dream

Though numbers are down, Albanians are still being drawn to British shores by the social media promise of a better life. The reality is often very different. Original post Here

Read More
News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News
After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News
“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News
Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News
Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

News
Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

News
With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

News
Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Influence, Repression and Revival

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and a whole lot more. Original post Here

News

Digital Rights Review: Privacy and Freedom of Expression Threatened

From data leaks and criminal hacks to smear campaigns, BIRN’s digital rights monitoring team documented widespread privacy violations and assaults on freedom of speech across Southeast Europe in July. Original post Here

News

Money to Burn: Albania’s Nexus of Organised Crime and Rubbish Collection

As fires rage at overflowing and often illegal landfills in Albania, companies with criminal connections keep securing waste management contracts with the state. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Alarm Bells and Struggles

Across the region, our selection of this week’s Balkan Insight Premium stories suggests that alarm bells are going off in many countries – and not only because of the wildfires. Original post Here

News

With Investment Favours, Albania’s Government Chips Away at Media Freedom

The owners of the biggest broadcasters in Albania have all benefitted from ‘strategic investor’ status granted by the government for other projects, raising doubts about editorial independence. Original post Here

News

Albania Battles Deadly Wildfires Amid Heatwave

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) , August 13,2025— Fierce wildfires swept across Albania this week, killing one person, injuring at least 10 and forcing mass evacuations from southern towns to central mountain villages, as much of the Mediterranean battles deadly blazes fueled by extreme summer heat. Authorities said more than 10,000 …