EU4Rivers supports Albania’s progress towards alignment with EU water legislation and the sustainable management of its water resources. The project strengthens the capacity of national institutions to implement EU water and marine environmental standards, contributing to the country’s EU accession process. The action is structured around four key outputs. First, it enhances the legal and institutional framework for integrated water management in line with EU requirements. Second, it strengthens river basin management by supporting the development and implementation of river basin management plans and related governance mechanisms. Third, it improves water monitoring, reporting and enforcement systems through strengthened institutional capacities, upgraded methodologies, and enhanced data collection and analysis. Fourth, it establishes the strategic and institutional framework needed for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, supporting the protection of Albania’s marine and coastal environment. Through technical assistance, capacity development, improved coordination among institutions, and evidence-based planning, EU4Rivers promotes better water governance, healthier aquatic ecosystems, and more sustainable management of rivers, groundwater, coastal waters and marine resources for current and future generations.

• Enhance the overarching Integrated Water Management legal and institutional framework in line with the EU Water Framework Directive and other water-related EU directives.
• Increase the implementation of River Basin Management in all river basins through improved planning, updated River Basin Management Plans and strengthened basin-level capacities.
• Sustainably improve water monitoring, reporting and enforcement by strengthening laboratories, monitoring stations, data collection and reporting capacities.
• Establish the strategic and institutional framework for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, including Marine Strategies for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas.
• Strengthen institutional capacities, coordination and technical knowledge of relevant Albanian authorities to support long-term implementation of EU water-related requirements.

• The Integrated Water Management legal and institutional framework is substantially enhanced in line with the EU Water Framework Directive and other water-related EU directives.
• River Basin Management is strengthened in all river basins through updated and/or completed River Basin Management Plans, improved planning tools and increased basin administration capacities.
• Water monitoring, reporting and enforcement capacities are sustainably improved, including strengthened laboratories, equipped monitoring stations, routine data collection and improved reporting in line with EU requirements.
• A national water monitoring programme and statutory budget line are operational, with at least 70% of annual programme objectives achieved and an increasing implementation trend.
• The strategic and institutional framework for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is established, including Marine Strategies for the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, related SEA reports and a capacity development plan.