EFFORT: Enhancing Facilities for a Future with an Optimal Resource and Energy Efficiency Trajectory
The overall project objective is to improve the energy efficiency of public buildings in the two municipalities and substantially decreasing the energy consumption, by implementing innovative equipment and further promoting sustainable building management practices. The project also aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between the two municipalities, promoting cross-border cooperation and the sharing of experiences and best practices related to energy efficiency.
Some of the expected results of the project are:
- Evaluation and energy audit of 10 public buildings in Mirditë Municipality and Junik Municipality;
- Drafting of local Energy Efficiency Plans (including strategic measures for energy reduction/saving) to be implemented in a short-term period at the local level.
- Drafting of technical projects for the installation of innovative equipment (photovoltaic panels, central heating system and thermal insulation).
- Installation of innovative energy-saving equipment by the 3rd year of the project (photovoltaic panels in 10 public buildings), including piloting the installation of a thermal heating system in a building in Junik and thermal insulation in a building in Mirdita.
- Capacity building in terms of improving energy efficiency practices, to identify energy saving opportunities and effectively manage equipment through a comprehensive training program that contributes to a more sustainable and cost-effective operation of public facilities.
- Informing the local community and mainly students and interest groups in both units about energy efficiency practices through awareness activities and educational initiatives carried out by the project.
Contracting Authority: European Commission
Program: Cross-border program Albania – Kosovo, Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II)
Beneficiaries: Mirditë Municipality, Junik Municipality, Co-PLAN
Duration: 36 months, December 2023 – December 2026
For more information on the project download factsheet in english, or the albanian version.
As part of the “EFFORT” project, CoPlan, in cooperation with the Municipalities of Mirditë and Junik, supported the development of two key strategic documents on energy efficiency and climate action.
Municipality of Mirditë – Approval of the Local Energy Efficiency Action Plan
The Local Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Mirditë was approved on September 30, 2025, by the Municipal Council. It was prepared in accordance with Law No. 124/2015 “On Energy Efficiency” and Ministerial Order No. 206, dated 25.10.2022. The plan identifies measures to improve energy efficiency, modernize public infrastructure and street lighting, and promote renewable energy.
Municipality of Junik – Approval of the Municipal Energy and Climate Action Plan (MECAP)
The Municipal Energy and Climate Action Plan for Junik was approved on July 31, 2025, by the Municipal Assembly. It was prepared in accordance with Energy Efficiency Law No. 06/L-079, the Climate Change Law (2024), and the Law on Local Self-Government No. 03/L-040. The plan focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and climate adaptation.
As part of the project’s awareness-raising campaigns, the “Creativity Calendar” was developed for the Municipality of Mirditë and the Municipality of Junik, featuring drawings created by students from “Pashko Vasa” School in Mirditë and “Edmond Hoxha” School in Junik. The drawings were produced as part of the “Colouring the Future” exhibition, engaging students creatively in topics related to the environment, energy efficiency and a sustainable future.
To provide easy and direct access to information about the project, its activities and progress, informational cards featuring QR codes were also developed. By scanning the QR codes, citizens and stakeholders can access detailed information about the project and its results.