On 24 September 2018, CNVP Albania in Diber participated in an open discussion concerning pollution and the Black Drini River. Organized by North Green and Diber Municipality, the meeting focused on integrated waste management.

Representatives of Diber Municipality, local CSOs, the private sector, academics, activists and local government units considered how to:

• reduce the volume of household waste;
• deal with existing polluted sites; and
• develop a value chain approach for waste management.

Recycling was considered to be the best solution, but that the competent institutions, (the municipality at local level and the Ministry of Environment at national level), have to develop a detailed plan for dealing with domestic/industrial waste, including the creation of a value chain from households to landfill and waste processors.

It was noted that countries such as Norway and Sweden are willing to support countries such as Albania to help them deal with waste e.g. its collection and processing for recycling purposes and/or energy production, but that the local government must develop a project to secure a better future for its current and next generations, as well as achieve sustainable economic development.

The discussion noted that each Albanian has to think about how to prevent pollution by citizens and the private sector. It also noted that other countries are making a profit out of domestic and industrial waste, whilst Albania suffers from it.

The event allowed CNVP Albania staff to discuss with North Green and Diber Municipality possibilities for future project collaboration, in order to improve the current pollution situation.