SmartAdria Night of Researchers, 10 November 2021

This activity was organized within the framework of “SMART ADRIA Blue Growth” project supported by the Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro Programme, co-funded by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA II). The event brought together representatives of state institutions, academia, business and other interest groups to promote joint initiatives between public and private sector at national and regional level with a special focus on the development of Blue Economy.

Gledis Gjipali, Technical Assistance of UCCIAL and Klotilda Binjaku, Project Manager UCCIAL welcomed the guests and emphasized that the “Night of Researchers” serves to generate discussions, collaborative learning and networking among multiple actors such as: the scientific community, policy makers, local and regional businesses as well as students. Gjipali added that the issues to be addressed regarding sustainable development with a focus on the blue economy and smart growth model can be used as a practical kit for future and on-going projects.

The experts presented their research works

Mirela Kamberi, UNDP Climate Change Programme held a presentation focused on “Climate change as an International Challenge and the Albanian perspective”. Kamberi talked about climate change on the international level and shared information about findings of the Albanian NCs to UNFCCC. She cited the UNDP 2020 Human Development Report showing that for the first time, instead of the planet shaping humans, humans are knowingly shaping the planet. During the presentation, the Paris Agreement long temperature goal came up (Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change). Furthermore, Kamberi explained Nat Coms and BUR of Albania to UNFCCC main elements and messages. She pointed out that the climate risks in Albania regarding (The Vjosa river basin) include the increase of temperatures, along with the risk of intense precipitation leading to flooding. Sea levels are also expected to rise. The expert stated that 87,616 million ALL is required to fund ongoing and planned mitigation actions. Energy and transport actions make up most of the costs, followed by agriculture, FOLU and cross-cutting actions. Lastly, she summarized the Objectives of COP26:

• Secure global net zero by mid-century and keep 5 degrees within reach
• Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

• Mobilise finance: developed countries must make good on their promise to mobilize at least $100bn in climate finance per year by 2020.
• Work together to: finalize the Paris Rulebook

Elda Marku, University of Tirana, The Department of Chemistry presented the project: “SEAVIEWS – Sector Adaptive Virtual Early Warning System for marine pollution”. She said that 7 Partners from 6 countries in the ADRION area and 6 Associated Partners are part of this initiative. Marku proceeded with technical details mentioning the Total Budget of 1,756,935.00 € and its 30-month duration. She stated that the main objective is to establish a transnational repository network that will receive, store and analyse data from a network of smart sensors installed in critical points in the ADRION area, a strategy and action plan developed in the field of environmental protection. Marku also paid attention to the management and communication strategy during her presentation. She said that the project includes:

• Network of smart-sensors (Measure water quality parameters, installed in key locations in the ADRION),
• Mobile applications (Citizen science tool to report marine pollution incidents)
• Platform (Collects and hosts all received data, various stakeholders have access to it)
• Marine Pollution Hubs (Focal points to promote marine environment protection, innovation and better governance).

The expert claimed that 17 sensors will be installed covering ADRION area. The development of a SEAVIEWS Early Warning System will be based on an algorithm correlating specific fluctuations patterns of the parameters to specific types of pollution (oil spill, eutrophication, effluent, thermal pollution). Lastly, the she pointed out that these hubs will be established in each participating country (Greece, Albania, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia). This will provide a new framework addressing knowledge sharing, and improve quality and interoperability of information and communication in the region.

Kristofor Lapa, University of Vlora, The Department of Marine Science Development of held a presentation on “Regional Joint Master Program in Maritime Environmental Protection and Management” and talked about work package one which included two online meetings: “State of the art on Maritime Environmental Protection and Management” organized by Université Côte d’Azur and “Overview of master degree programs in field of MEP&M” by University of Cádiz. The latest topics on marine and coastal pollution and emission of ghg from shipping, nautical tourism, coastal tourism and off-shore activities were addressed. Lapa mentioned that the next steps have to do with development and implementation of a master degree program, capacity building through staff training and equipment purchase and lastly dissemination and exploitation of project results. The latter is done in order to reach target audiences and interested parties and to disseminate the results, mainly through minutes or reports. Website of the project and social media accounts are being used as communication tools. Furthermore, Lapa explained the ALMARS Erasmus Plus project (Curriculum development of joint professional master program in marine fishery). To have a clear idea about the fishery Industry in Albania, particularly regarding safety in fishing vessels includes a few steps:

-to increase awareness of the stakeholders for a safety work onboard of fishing vessels.

-capacity Building of Seafaring Training Centers and Maritime Students Training Center at the University of Vlora (in training programs for seafarers in Fishery Industry)

-Lobbying at the Albanian Maritime Administration and the relevant Ministry to enable the approval of the STCW-F Convention as soon as possible.

Mirdaim Axhami, University of Tirana, Erasmus + BlueWC Project talked about “Sustainable development of BLUE economies through Higher Education, Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Western Balkan Countries”. He stated that the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway is the lead partner of this project with nine other universities. The main objectives include a gap analysis report with the educational and training needs and a curricula development of I&E in Blue economy. It also aims to train staff, students and launch professionals and pilot master courses in English. Lastly, all the knowledge and information will be shared in a Website. Moreover, Axhami explained the manners in which the dissemination of results will be conducted through (website, materials , development of alumni database, info-sessions for media and stakeholders ).

Brunilda Licaj, University of Durres, The Department of Tourism held a presentation about “Tourism management of cruise ships in coastal areas and cultural heritage centers- Case of Durrës”. Licaj stated that in order to make Durres a “transit port” in the tourism sector of cruise ships, the geographical position, infrastructure, legal framework and marketing should be considered. Moreover, she provided a conceptual scheme with the criteria for selection of port. Licaj explained the results of a questionnaire conducted in Durres, Tirane, Kruje regarding foreign management and visitors. It was concluded that Durrës is attractive, but needs a radical change in the sector of tourism and weak territorial marketing has had a negative impact on the performance of the territory-port of Durres and the development of the cruise ship sector.

Perseta Grabova and Elona Pojani from University of Tirana, The Department of Finance talked about “Building Resilience through Interdisciplinary Projects and Studies”. Blue economy sectors are heavily affected by disasters and risk management and building up interdisciplinary approaches should be considered to deal with these issues. They mentioned a few good practices from the University of Tirana including the reformation of traditional programs of studies, interfaculty collaboration, interdisciplinary research and two European funded projects mainstreaming resilience into Faculty of Economy Curricula. Moreover, during the presentation it was said that the K-FORCE project established effective, contemporary and sustainable Study Programs in the field of Disaster Risk Management and Fire Safety Engineering (DRM&FSE). Promoting CCA and DRM in the framework of EU Integration was done through two Jean Monnet modules proposed in this project will be based in the good practices of EU study programs in the field of DRM and CCA. Relevant programs and contents have been reviewed and used for the purposes of developing the syllable of both courses. They concluded their presentation with a short description of the stakeholders and the involved institutions.

Edmond Zhupani, National Marine Expert talked about the project “Sailing Albania”. He started his presentation by saying that sailing activities have existed and been conducted for longer than 50 years and that Vlora Bay offers one of the best and most extended sailing grounds in Albania. Zhupani compared the Vlora Bay with the characteristics of the bay of Kotor, The Bay of Corfu (including Gouvia Bay) and added that it was a perfect area of special sailing grounds. He stated that in the 1970’ until 1980’ sailing and water sports got a significant development in the bay of Vlora and in the bay of Durres. In 2009 with the initiative of some naval and former naval officers four sailing club were established (Shengjin, Durres, Vlora and Sarande) and in 2010 the Albanian Sailing federation was established. The marine expert listed the available projects under Sailing Albania.

• Yacht Marina & Sailing Academy Durres Harbour (10,7 million Euro)
• Boutique Marina and Sailing Academy Bishti Palla (25 Million Euro)
• Yacht Marina and Marine Service Center Shengjin (12 Million Euro)
• Yacht Marina Vlore Skele (PPP – already active project)
• Sailing Academy Vlora Bay (1 Milion Euro)
• Marina Porto Palermo (12 Million Euro)
• Marina Limjon (PPP – already active project)

Inva Nela, Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) talked about South Adriatic Connectivity Governance (SAGOV). She said that transport is essential in the relations between Albania, Montenegro and Italy considering that 15 out of 104 bilateral agreements between Albania and Italy and 10 out of 48 agreements between Montenegro and Albania concern transport. Nela, explained the findings of SAGOV on Governance assessment in transport connectivity in the South Adriatic. During the presentation, challenges to the functioning of the new regional institutional cross-border joint initiatives came up including: a detachment between policy- making level and technical level, need for joint vision, efficient coordination, responsive fundraising and lastly continuous institutional building and support for the improvement of capacities of public and private transport actors.

Open discussion: the participants had the chance to discuss the presentations with the experts and share their own opinions and recommendations.