On 3 March 2023, a ground-breaking ceremony marked the beginning of an energy-efficient renovation of the Student City I campus dormitories in Tirana. The ceremony was attended by Alexis Hupin, the Chargé d’Affaires at the European Union Delegation to Albania, Brit Horschke, Director of KfW Office Albania, Peter Zingraf, German Ambassador in Albania, Evis Kushi, the Albanian Minister of Education, Sports and Youth and Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana.

The renovation is supported by a €4.78 million grant from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and €30 million loan and grant package from the German Federal Government through the KfW Development Bank.

The project consists of the rehabilitation of 19 dormitories to the EU Nearly-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard and construct at least 3 new energy efficient buildings. These improvements will decrease energy consumption by an average of 20%. 4,700 students will benefit from improved living conditions, while at least 70% of the dormitories’ capacity will be occupied by students with low incomes. The first five buildings are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.