Monday, May 09, 2022

On May 6-7, 2022, took place the Fourth Module of the School for Consumer Protection and European Integration, a component of the project "From Information to Action - Empowerment of Organizations on Consumer Protection", which is being implemented by the European Movement in Albania in cooperation with the Academy of Political Studies and the Alert Center, with the financial support of the European Union within the IPA 2017 funds. The module took place in Tirana with about 20 participants with different profiles from central and local public institutions as well as practitioners and consumer protection activists.

The first day sessions focused on European and national Energy Legislation (Chapter 15) under the direction of Mr. Rodon Miraj, GIZ - ORF ETC National Coordinator. The presentation of the legal framework and relevant sector development strategies were further complemented by a discussion on the challenges for the Albanian energy sector as a result of the reforms undertaken in the framework of decarbonisation, but also the current global crisis and the need for resource diversification. Discussions simultaneously addressed renewable energy legislation and potential as an alternative to diversification in the current crisis and the further consequences that will emerge in the context of climate change.

The third session, chaired by Mr. Robert Gajda, Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, examined the topic of the concept of energy poverty - Domestic consumer rights in the light of the current energy crisis. The Commissioner presented current practices of respecting the rights of communities and strata in need as challenges for their improvement.

The European Green Agenda, as the new strategy for the economic and social development of Europe and our region, were at the center of the fourth session chaired by Ms. Ray Koçi, program manager at the "Relationship" center. The presentation of the five main pillars of development and objectives undertaken by our country, were accompanied by a set of recommendations drafted as part of a study designed by Ms. Koçi within the research center at ASP.

Monitoring the situation of implementation of local legislation on environmental protection and the consequences for public health, were at the center of the next session, with the expert Mr. Rodjon Gjoka, Head of the Environment Unit at the Co-Plan Institute. Air quality and noise controls in the main cities of the country show a significant lack of implementation of current legislation and an urgent need to focus on issues that bring costs to the health and economy of the country.

The last session focused on public consultation and advocacy on environmental issues, addressing the case of the protection of the Vjosa River from HPP construction. Mr. Olsi Nika, Environmental Expert, Director of Eco-Albania, presented the obligations and rights from the legislation for public consultation as well as the importance of awareness campaigns for environmental protection.