CoPlan and POLIS jointly celebrate their 30th and 20th anniversaries
CoPlan and POLIS celebrated their 30th and 20th anniversaries respectively through a joint event held at the Palace of Brigades. Together with friends, colleagues, high-level representatives of public institutions, members of the diplomatic corps, international partners, academia, collaborators and many others, the two institutions reflected on their shared journey, celebrating achievements while exchanging thoughts on the years ahead.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by the Executive Director of CoPlan, Ms. Anila Bejko, who reflected on the organization’s journey so far. From planning to good governance, from activism to the environment, from regional development to tourism, from research to the circular economy and energy, CoPlan today is truly present across multiple fields, as an organization that connects research with policymaking; that leads regional and European projects and initiatives in partnership with some of the most prestigious universities and institutions in Europe and beyond; that supports civil society; and that works towards a just, green and inclusive transition.
During her speech, Ms. Bejko stated that Albania is currently at a key moment in its path toward the European Union.
“We believe that CoPlan can offer something unique in this journey: to become one of the reference institutions when it comes to viewing integration through the lens of territory; to help ‘translate’ EU policies into concrete local development plans; and to serve as a bridge between communities and policymaking, so that decisions are grounded not only in evidence, but also in the everyday experiences of people,” said Bejko.
“Our ambition is to be essential where it matters most: when serious territorial analysis is needed, when research-based policies are required, and when an honest and inclusive approach to development is sought. We will strengthen our regional presence. We will further energize the Western Balkans Territorial Governance Network (TG-WeB), initiated by CoPlan together with our regional partners, by building an even broader network of cooperation. The Western Balkans needs shared voices and shared research platforms, and CoPlan is ready to contribute to and lead them,” Bejko stated.
CoPlan will continue to preserve and consolidate its established domains — territorial governance, environment, energy, and civic activism — while strengthening them through research and more structured and innovative approaches.
Ms. Bejko also expressed gratitude to Albanian institutions, the European Union, international governments and agencies, regional and global networks, and above all, the communities with whom CoPlan has worked and continues to work.
The ceremony also featured remarks by the Rector of POLIS University, one of the founders and former directors of CoPlan, Mr. Besnik Aliaj. Reflecting on the close cooperation between CoPlan and POLIS, Mr. Aliaj stated:
“The growth and consolidation of the CoPlan Institute over the years was accompanied by the creation of new institutional branches and spin-offs, the most prominent being the establishment of POLIS University two decades ago, as a national and regional platform to create a critical mass of expertise in support of development and reform. Apparently, not only the founders, but also the colleagues who have contributed throughout the years, were the right people, in the right place, at the right time, to make this happen.”
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Mr. Peter Benz, Rector of Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, as well as H.E. Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania. During his speech, Gonzato emphasized that Europe is built every day through people, partnerships, and shared values.
