From Division to Connection: Reviving Albania’s Green Belt for Youth, Heritage, and Sustainable Tourism!

Once a sign of division, Albania's Green Belt is now an opportunity to transform the former Iron Curtain into an eco-tourism destination and give young people a new concept of development.

Young explores experience the Albanian-Greek border pyramids during Korca Alpin's hike, embracing nature and history. © Pandi Dhimitri
A historic border watchtower, once guarding the Albanian-Greek border, now a tourist attraction showcasing communist-era history. © Iljon Thanas

 

Revitalizing Albania’s Green Belt: From Division to Sustainable Growth

Once a restricted and highly protected border area, the Albanian Green Belt along the Greek-Albanian border is now being transformed into an eco-tourism destination. As part of the European Green Belt, this region has great historical and ecological value, preserving both biodiversity and cultural heritage. The Natural Heritage Incubator, implemented by the ACEG Center in partnership with Korça Alpin, and supported by the BESTbelt project, is empowering young people and local businesses to promote sustainable development while keeping the memory of the past alive.

This initiative is creating new hiking trails along the former Iron Curtain, offering younger generations a chance to learn about history, nature and cross-border cooperation. Through mentoring programs, business mapping, and stakeholder engagement, the project is unlocking the potential of eco-friendly enterprises, traditional crafts, and local products. Young participants are being trained to become eco-tourism leaders, ensuring a sustainable future for this once-divided landscape.

The project is already having an impact – youth engagement is growing, eco-business opportunities are expanding, and historic sites are being repurposed for education and tourism. By connecting conservation, economic growth, and history, the Albanian Green Belt is becoming a symbol of unity, resilience, and sustainable progress.

 

The "Nature Heritage Incubator: Cultivating the Future in the Albanian Green Belt" project (2024–2026) is implemented by ACEG Center in partnership with Korça Alpin, with the support of the BESTbelt project, financed by the European Union.

 

Contacts

Margarita Buxhaku; info(at)aceg.al (Albanian Centre for Environmental Governance)

Iljon Thanas; korcaalpin(at)yahoo.com (Korca Alpin Association)

 

Project & Organizations Links

Website: aceg.al
Facebook & Instagram: @qendraaceg

Website: korcaalpin.org
Facebook & Instagram: @KorcaAlpin