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European Union and France mobilise €118 million to provide Durrës with an upgraded wastewater treatment system

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The EU, the French Development Agency and Albania today marked 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, protecting the Adriatic coast and supporting Albania’s path towards EU accession.

A signing ceremony for the €118.4 million project was held at the Ministry of Finance. The investment combines an €85 million EU grant, provided through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), with a €33.4 million sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD). AFD, as lead financing Institution, manages the EU funds on behalf of the European Union, while the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, through the National Water and Sewerage Agency (AKUK), will be responsible for project implementation.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj, AFD CEO Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Albania Catherine Suard and the Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania Ritva Heikkinen.

“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. This project shows what Team Europe can achieve when the European Union, France through AFD and Albania work hand in hand. It marks an important milestone in our partnership with Albania. France, through AFD, will continue to support the country in building a greener, healthier and more sustainable future.”

AFD CEO Christophe Lecourtier

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“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. Albania will need to mobilise all available sources of financing and strengthen its capacities to prepare and implement investment projects. The EU remains a strong partner on this path.”

Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation to Albania Ritva Heikkinen

The signatories also visited the project site in Durrës, together with the Minister of Infrastructures and Energy Enea Karakaçi and the Mayor of Durrës Emiriana Sako.

About the project

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 address these challenges by increasing wastewater collection and treatment to 85%, while establishing separate stormwater and wastewater networks in the historic city centre.

An additional 100.000 people will be connected to sewage networks in Durres, as the capacity of the Durrës wastewater treatment plant will be upgraded to 350,000 population equivalent.

The project will also contribute directly to Albania’s alignment with European environmental standards under Chapter 27 of the EU accession negotiations, while improving the quality and sustainability of essential public services for one of the country’s main urban and tourism centres.

Its launch follows several years of preparatory work and demonstrates the added value of the Team Europe approach, with the EU, France through AFD and Albania working together to bring the investment to technical maturity and pave the way for its implementation. By combining European grant financing with AFD’s sovereign lending and technical expertise, the partnership is helping Albania translate its European ambitions into concrete investment with direct impact on citizens and the environment.

Works on the network are expected to start by mid-2027.

© Minipixels