On May 22-23, 2025, the Polytechnic University of Tirana hosted a dynamic and well-attended workshop under the Erasmus+ SmartWB Project, bringing together over 80 participants—including academic staff, students, urban planners, policy experts, municipal officials, NGOs, and business representatives—to explore innovative solutions for climate-smart urban development and green job creation.
The event, structured in three thematic sessions, focused on:
Low-Carbon Technologies & Blue-Green Infrastructure:
European and regional experts shared best practices in water pollution control, smart tourism, sustainable housing, and the mitigation of illegal construction. The session highlighted how urban development must align with climate action through improved infrastructure planning and local innovation.
Green Jobs and Skills for the Future:
Case studies from Albania, Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina illustrated how cities and institutions can drive job creation through circular economy models, carbon footprint reduction, and urban resilience projects. Presenters emphasised the urgent need to adapt curricula and upskill the workforce to meet labour market demands for sustainability.
Interactive Workshop – Scaling Green Skills Across Industries:
Participants engaged in open dialogue on how public policies, university education, and business strategies can converge to mainstream green skills. Challenges such as financing, regulatory gaps, and cross-sector collaboration were discussed, with strong calls for empowering local institutions and aligning training with emerging green professions.
The event was organized by UPT in close collaboration with SmartWB partners and supported by the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FIN) and several private sector sponsors, including Land & Co. Ltd., Lorenc & Co. Ltd., HP Surveying Ltd., and Uje Qafe-Mali Ltd.
This workshop not only reinforced SmartWB’s mission to foster curricular innovation for sustainable development, but also served as a springboard for new partnerships and regional cooperation to ensure that today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders in the green transition.
