Country in the spotlight - Albania
Albania’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is dominated by SMEs, which make up about 99% of businesses and a major share of employment. Despite their importance, they face persistent challenges such as limited access to finance and gaps in skills, particularly as the country aligns its regulations with EU standards (European Commission SME Performance Review).
The European Union plays a central role in supporting Albanian SMEs through financing and technical assistance. EU-backed programmes, often implemented with institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, aim to expand access to credit and promote green and competitive business practices (European External Action Service).
In addition to funding, EU-supported initiatives are fostering digitalisation and innovation among SMEs. While progress is visible, Albania still lags behind EU averages in innovation capacity, meaning continued reforms and investment remain essential for long-term competitiveness (European Innovation Scoreboard 2024).
Albania and the EYE programme
Currently, only Noa Sh.A (NOA) acts as an Intermediary Organisation in the EYE programme. Find
their contact details here.
An initiative of the