Dibra Fruits and Vegetables Cluster Project description May 2025 – April 2027

The Dibra Fruits and Vegetables Cluster project is being implemented by Koestinger and Partners FlexCo as lead implementer, in consortium with Koestinger Consulting Albania, ProAdvice, Gateway Partners, and Iceberg Communications, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Albania, and supported by the World Bank. The project runs from May 2025 to April 2027 and aims to strengthen the competitiveness and long‑term sustainability of the fruit and vegetable sector in the Dibra region by:

• Supporting the foresight‑informed establishment and governance design of two fruit and vegetable clusters,

• Building the adaptive capacity of producer groups to respond to evolving market and climate conditions,

• Improving the market positioning and branding of selected Dibra‑origin products.

By fostering collaboration among farmers, processors, local institutions, and the municipality, the project promotes sustainable regional development, increases resilience to climate change, and advances quality standards in Albanian agriculture.

The main aims of the project are:

• Apply foresight methods to diagnose current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and emerging trends in the Dibra F&V sector, and to inform the establishment and governance design of the cluster.
• Support the legal establishment and governance setup of a fruit and vegetable cluster in the Dibra region, creating the institutional foundations for sustainable collective action among local producers, including innovative models where the municipality acts as a shareholder.
• Recruit and organize farmers into structured cluster membership, fostering a culture of cooperation, shared business interest, and long‑term strategic thinking among smallholder producers.
• Strengthen the capacity of cluster members and local agricultural actors through targeted, foresight‑aware training programs covering production practices, quality standards, cooperative business management, and market‑oriented planning.
• Develop and implement a branding and product‑identity strategy for selected Dibra‑origin products, enhancing their distinctiveness, appeal, and long‑term positioning in domestic and international markets.
• Support the adoption of quality standards and certification pathways to increase the market readiness and competitiveness of cluster products, aligned with anticipated future regulatory and buyer requirements.
• Build the digital presence and communications capacity of the clusters to ensure effective market outreach, stakeholder engagement, and visibility of Dibra‑origin products over time.

Services provided by the Consortium

Support the foresight‑informed legal establishment and governance structuring of the fruit and vegetable cluster in the Dibra region, including the development of internal regulations, membership frameworks, and operational procedures, with specific attention to the innovative municipality‑as‑shareholder model and its long‑term institutional sustainability.

• Design and deliver capacity building and training programs for cluster members through a dedicated agricultural academy, combining local and international trainers and integrating foresight‑aware modules on agricultural practices, quality management, cooperative governance, and market‑oriented planning.

• Design and deliver a study tour and learning journey to central and northern Italy, enabling Dibra stakeholders to visit leading agricultural organisations of different sizes and geographical contexts, learn from their long‑term vision, and gain practical insights into cooperative governance, market access, and organisational resilience.

• Develop a branding strategy and product identity for selected Dibra‑origin fruit and vegetable products, including visual identity, packaging concepts, and market positioning materials, aligned with anticipated consumer preferences and regulatory trends.

• Support producers in understanding and adopting relevant quality standards and identify certification pathways to strengthen the long‑term competitiveness and market readiness of cluster products.

• Develop the digital presence of the cluster, including website development and communications assets, to support sustained market outreach, stakeholder engagement, and the visibility of Dibra‑origin products over time.

• Before the final handover of cluster management to the elected board, participate with the clusters in one international agricultural fair and support their engagement in B2B sessions with national and international buyers to consolidate market positioning and test commercial readiness.

ESGGreenStride  Project description Sept 2024 -Dec 2025

GreenStride Albania was implemented by Koestinger Consulting Albania in partnership with Resources in Development and in close cooperation with the Municipalities of Shkodra and Vlora, and co‑financed by the Embassy of Switzerland in Albania. The project applied a technology‑ and ESG‑oriented foresight approach to identify and strengthen the adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles among local governments and SMEs in Albania, with a focus on anticipation, capacity building, and co‑designed innovation.

The project focused on two pilot cities, Shkodra and Vlora, supporting municipalities and local businesses in increasing their foresight awareness, ESG readiness, and strategic orientation toward sustainable development, social responsibility, and good governance. It contributed to Albania’s green transition by integrating foresight‑driven methods into local planning, service delivery, and business operations.

The main aims of the project were:

• Enhance foresight and ESG awareness and readiness among municipal staff and SMEs in two pilot cities through evidence‑based assessment and participatory foresight activities.

• Backcasting ESG for a desired future and work backwards to today  “If we want local municiplaities and businesses to be ESG relenant by 2035, what must happen step by step from now to then?”

• Promote sustainable development, social responsibility, and good governance at local level by fostering cross‑sectoral collaboration between public institutions, businesses, and communities.

• Build practical capacities of municipalities and businesses to anticipate future sustainability challenges and integrate ESG principles into planning, service delivery, and business operations.

• Support local green transition processes in line with Albania’s National Strategy for Development and Integration 2022–2030 and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, using forward‑looking, scenario‑aware approaches.

• Develop and test innovative local ESG solutions through structured co‑creation and acceleration processes that anticipate emerging environmental, social, and governance needs.

• Create replicable, foresight‑informed pilot models for ESG capacity building and innovation at municipal level in Albania.

Services provided by Koestinger Consulting

Koestinger Consulting designed and implemented an integrated ESG foresight and innovation model, including the following interventions:

• Conducted a comprehensive ESG Awareness and Readiness Study among municipal staff and SMEs in Shkodra and Vlora, serving as a baseline for foresight‑driven planning.
• Organized and facilitated focus groups to validate survey findings, identify local ESG priorities and challenges, and uncover emerging signals and opportunities for future‑oriented action.
• Designed and delivered ESG Bootcamps in both municipalities, combining awareness‑raising, systems thinking, and collaborative problem‑solving to build local foresight and ESG capacities.
• Designed and implemented two pilot ESG Innovation Accelerators bringing together municipalities, businesses, and community actors through human‑centered and foresight‑inspired design methodologies, to co‑create and test locally relevant ESG solutions.

Innovation Challenge for NEET Youth, January–April 2025

The Innovation Challenge for NEET Youth was implemented in early 2025 by Koestinger & Partners for UNDP Albania within the EU4Youth framework. The initiative aimed to support local partnerships in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë to design innovative, inclusive solutions for young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), using a foresight‑ and human‑centred design‑based approach.

The project responded to persistent youth inactivity challenges in Albania and contributed directly to the implementation of the EU Youth Guarantee by helping local actors anticipate how the guarantee could be operationalised in their contexts and by strengthening collaboration between municipalities, employment offices, educational institutions, and civil society organisations.

Project description

The Innovation Challenge for NEET Youth adopted a structured, foresight‑informed methodology grounded in Human‑Centred Design and participatory scenario planning. It took place across three pilot regions, Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë, and guided stakeholders through a sequence of activities from problem exploration to solution validation, with a strong emphasis on anticipating future implementation pathways of the EU Youth Guarantee at local level.

In the first phase, stakeholders in the three regions developed local scenarios on how the EU Youth Guarantee could be operationalised in Albania and on what concrete steps and strategic options employer organisations and local institutions could take to align with it. These foresight‑driven scenarios framed the subsequent co‑design work and helped anchor innovations in real‑world policy and labour‑market trajectories.

The project followed four sequential phases:

1. Foresight‑informed onboarding and preparation

The first phase focused on online onboarding and preparation, during which participating organisations were introduced to the Youth Guarantee framework, the objectives of the challenge, foresight methods, and human‑centred design principles. Collective onboarding sessions were held for each target city, complemented by individual consultations and preparatory homework assignments designed to build a shared understanding of youth employment challenges and service‑design approaches. Participants also engaged with future‑oriented scenarios on how the Youth Guarantee could be implemented in Albania and in their respective municipalities.

2. Two‑day hackathon for collaborative ideation

The second phase consisted of a two‑day in‑person hackathon, bringing together representatives of public institutions, NGOs, and young people to collaboratively identify challenges and co‑create solutions. Using foresight‑inspired prompts and scenario‑based questions, participants explored potential future pathways for NEETs and the role of the Youth Guarantee in shaping them. Multidisciplinary teams worked to pitch ideas, form groups around priority issues, and develop early service concepts focused on outreach, employability, self‑employment, inclusion of vulnerable groups, and access to training. The hackathon emphasised rapid ideation, prototyping, and pitching, supported by expert facilitation and mentoring.

3. Regional design challenges in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë

Following the hackathon, selected teams advanced to the third phase, which consisted of regional design challenges held in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë. These one‑day workshops applied the full Human‑Centred Design cycle, including empathy work with detailed NEET youth personas, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and peer testing. Teams refined their service concepts to reflect local realities and the specific needs of diverse NEET profiles—such as young parents, rural youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities—while also testing them against future‑oriented scenarios for labour‑market activation and Youth Guarantee implementation.

4. Validation, refinement, and institutional anchoring

The final phase focused on validation and refinement of the proposed solutions. Participating organisations took part in structured online consultation sessions to test feasibility, clarify user journeys, and strengthen alignment with the Youth Guarantee framework. Through iterative feedback and expert guidance, a total of 14 service prototypes were finalised, offering concrete, context‑sensitive solutions ready for potential piloting or further development.

By integrating foresight‑driven scenario work with human‑centred design, the project strengthened local capacities for anticipatory, partnership‑based service design and delivered a replicable model for co‑designing inclusive NEET services. The Innovation Challenge laid the groundwork for future piloting, funding, and the integration of the developed solutions into local and national youth employment support systems, aligned with the evolving implementation of the EU Youth Guarantee in Albania.

Services delivered by Koestinger & Partners 

Koestinger & Partners designed and implemented a foresight‑informed, participatory innovation model for the Innovation Challenge for NEET Youth, supporting UNDP Albania and the EU4Youth framework in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë. The services focused on strengthening local capacities for anticipatory, partnership‑based service design and aligning youth‑employment solutions with the future implementation of the EU Youth Guarantee in Albania.

• Designed and facilitated a foresight‑based onboarding and preparation phase, introducing participating organisations in the three pilot cities to the Youth Guarantee framework, human‑centred design principles, and scenario‑building methods.

• Led the foresight‑oriented two‑day hackathon, bringing together public institutions, NGOs, and young people to co‑identify NEET‑related challenges and generate early service concepts anchored in anticipated future labour‑market and policy trajectories.

• Designed and delivered regional design challenges in Tirana, Shkodër, and Vlorë, applying the full Human‑Centred Design cycle—from empathy and problem definition to ideation, prototyping, and testing—while integrating future‑oriented scenarios for Youth Guarantee implementation and NEET activation.

• Facilitated validation and refinement sessions with participating organisations, guiding them to stress‑test user journeys, assess feasibility, and align 14 service prototypes with the Youth Guarantee framework and local institutional contexts.

• Developed a replicable, foresight‑aware model for co‑designing inclusive NEET services, including documentation, reporting, and recommendations for future piloting, funding, and integration into local and national youth employment systems.

Through these services, Koestinger & Partners helped local actors not only respond to current NEET challenges but also anticipate and shape the future implementation of the EU Youth Guarantee in their municipalities.

Project description- Development of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Action Plan and one Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Action Plan.

The GESI-ESS Project equipped the A2D Facility with practical tools, action plans, and training to ensure clean energy innovations are socially inclusive, gender‑responsive, and environmentally sustainable. Koestinger Consulting delivered comprehensive GESI and ESS Action Plans (140+ pages combined), training materials, and a one‑day capacity‑building workshop in Vienna for 18 project developers from Nepal, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria.
​Key achievements included baseline situational analyses, project‑cycle integration strategies, and interactive training sessions that boosted participant confidence from “slightly familiar” to “very confident” in applying GESI/ESS frameworks (93% readiness reported).
​

Main aims of the project

• Develop actionable GESI and ESS Action Plans for programme‑ and project‑level integration in A2D clean energy demonstrations.
• Build capacity through training materials and workshops for UNIDO teams and project developers in developing countries.
• Ensure A2D projects align with UNIDO policies, OECD Gender Marker, and global standards for poverty reduction, inclusion, and environmental protection.
• Provide replicable tools (screening frameworks, templates, checklists) for gender‑disaggregated data, vulnerability assessments, and risk mitigation.
• Foster peer learning among diverse international teams to mainstream GESI/ESS in clean hydrogen, critical minerals, and decarbonization projects.

Services delivered by Koestinger Consulting

Koestinger Consulting led a diverse international team (Austria, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Peru) to deliver all six project components on time, despite tight deadlines:

• Inception and development of Methodology, timeline, and stakeholder mapping approved October 2024.
• ​Design and development of the GESI Action Plan : 70+ page framework with entry points, tools, and website content for gender equity and social inclusion.
• ​Design and development of the ESS Action Plan : 70+ Comprehensive safeguards guide covering UNIDO’s 12 operational principles, ESIA/ESMP templates, and global applicability.
• ​Training Materials : PPTs, exercises, worksheets, and handover toolkit for programme/project levels.
• ​Training Delivery : One‑day interactive workshop (26 March 2025, Vienna) for 18 project developers from Nepal, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria.; 100% rated “highly relevant,” with strong peer exchange.
• ​Final Report : Outcomes summary, evaluation (14/18 responses), and recommendations for scaling GESI/ESS in A2D.

SUSRUR Project description Jan 2023-Dec 2025:

 The SUSRUR project aims to support SMEs from 5 rural & remote areas of Europe (Asturias region (Spain), Western Macedonia region (Greece), Harghita county (Romania), Utena (Lithuania), Steirisches Vulkanland (Austria)), by promoting sustainability and innovative practices & strategies while providing tools and skills to strengthen their competitiveness in a post COVID-19 scenario, increasing their awareness and capacity to accelerate and implement the twin green & digital transitions.

The consortium of the project:

Kaunas University of Technology (Lithunia) as coordinator , Koestinger & Partners (Austria), F6s Network Ireland Limited (Ireland), Asociatia de Dezvoltare Intercomunitara Harghita (Romania), Entrepreneurship Support Foundation – JOIN4CS (Greece), Espacio Tormaleo S.L. (Spain)

 The main aims of the project are :

1)Support SMEs from 5 rural & remote areas of Europe (Asturias, Western Macedonia, Harghita, Utena, Steirisches Vulkanland) by promoting sustainability and innovative practices & strategies.

2) Provide tools and services to strengthen the competitiveness of at least 100 SMEs within rural & remote areas in a post COVID-19 scenario

3) Increase the awareness and capacity of SMEs in rural & remote areas to accelerate the twin green & digital transitions.

4) Develop suitable pathways and scenarios for recovery by promoting sustainability from the economic, social and environmental perspectives following the SDG’s principles

5) Develop comprehensive sustainable business models for tourism SMEs in rural areas, setting up

sustainability as a core business principle in their operation

6) Increase the awareness of tourism SMEs in sustainability as a marketing tool that could improve  substantially the attractiveness of a tourism business or a destination.

Services provided by Koestinger & Partners

1. Designed and implemented an Accelerator model tailor-made for the needs of tourism SMEs The accelerator will involve the following interventions:

• Live Lab’s– 7 sessions
• Diagnostics – 2 sessions initial and final diagnostics.
• Touchpoints Office Hours -5 sessions (Scheduled 1 hour before each live LAB; 5 x 60 min)
• Touchpoints Mentors – 5-10 sessions up to 10 hrs with co-pilots and 5 hrs with skills mentors (depending on the needs and the stage of the ventures)
• Learning Journey– 2-3 sessions (Sharing Best-Practises “Coffee with XY”)
• Peer to peer sessions 2-3 session per venture with a focus area
• DEMO Day – 1 session (ventures will pitch their idea in a “shark tank” style in 5min and get feedback from the Sounding Board
• Online interactive community in slack

2. Selected and onboarded the mentors
3. Appointed selected applicants to relevant experts/mentors
4. Monitored the progress of deliverables
5. Prepared reports
6. Communication and dissemination activities.
7. Designed and implemented several exhanges of Austrian partecipant to the  other partner countries.
8. Designed and implemented a learning journey /study visit to Vulkanland Austria for 15 partecipants from Lithuania, Greece, Spain, Romania

Impact Coaching Project description Jan 2023- Dec 2026 ( framework contract 4 years)

This is a framework contract of 4 years form the city of Vienna and Koestinger will be Coaching and mentoring startups and MSME that want to design sustainable and impactful business models.

The objective of this contract is to help early-stage founders and young entrepreneurs in Vienna, in the pre- founding phase, founding phase or after-founding phase up to five years after founding, through modern approaches, tools, methods, and knowledge, to make their business models sustainable and with a positive impact right from the start.

In this way the founders/ companies will be able to realize their growth aspirations within the planetary boundaries and create ecologically and socially positive start-ups and companies.

 To do this, Koestinger developes together with the Startup Services department of the VBA, holistically bespoke and target group-specific offers in the following domains:

Ecological topics:

• Circular economy: business model & product development
• Resource conservation & material efficiencies
• CO2 emissions & calculation
• Life cycle calculations
• Avoidance of rebound effects
• Using SDGs as a framework for businesses
• Impact analyzes & impact measurements
• Funding and financing
• Impact frameworks and models for founders;
• Trends and regulations at national, EU and international levels

 Social topics:

• Fairtrade along the value chain
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the founding team
• critical questions in the areas DEI participation/inclusion and equal opportunities
• Team development & team culture with impact
• Create inclusive and high-quality jobs
• Power skills: Mental health & stress management for founders
• Theory of change ( Wirkungslogik)
• Social-Ecological Costs & Benefits
• Impact Marketing / Green Marketing / Inclusive Marketing

The coaching is delivered in German and English form our pool of 10 multidisciplinary coaches with complementary skills and covers these three areas:

1.Coaching to create ecologically and socially sustainable business and financing models

2.Support in achieving a positive social impact and social responsibility:

3. Support in the implementation of a social impact analysis and/or the pursuit of a positive social and ecological impact and footprint during start-up phase and growth as well as the development of an plan of with steps and recommendations

Coaching is intended to bring impact into the company, which can be different topics, that’s why we have put together a very broad team with the appropriate expertise.

As there are only 4 hrs available for each company the coaching sessions are very focused and efficient.

We base our coaching approach on Valerie Lim’s Entrepreneurship Coaching model, a further development of the GROW model and specifically designed for entrepreneurship. The focus is on developing a viable business idea, so a reality check (are there enough resources, customer needs, etc.) or other options are questioned. Then it’s about creating an action plan and implementing it. A review is intended to support the coachee with challenges.

Clim Accelerator Albania Project description Jan 2024- April 2024

ClimAccelerator Albania was a climate-focused acceleration programme implemented by Koestinger Consulting in partnership with EIT Climate-KIC and delivered as part of the global ClimAccelerator initiative. The programme was implemented between January and April 2024 and targeted early-stage founders and start-ups in Albania working on climate solutions related to decarbonization, circular economy, energy efficiency, and resource efficiency.

The main objective of ClimAccelerator Albania was to strengthen Albania’s emerging climate innovation ecosystem by supporting high-potential start-ups in developing, validating, and scaling impactful climate solutions. The programme aimed to enhance the technical, business, and impact-readiness of participating teams while connecting them to European innovation ecosystems, expert networks, and systems innovation tools in line with EIT Climate-KIC’s mission to drive systemic change and measurable climate impact.

ClimAccelerator Albania supported a cohort of eight early-stage founders and start-ups through a tailored package of in-kind support combining training, mentoring, innovation labs, and pitching support. The structured curriculum was organized into six thematic innovation labs, Discover, Validate, Impact, Build, Shine, and Pitch, guiding participants step by step from problem identification and solution validation to impact assessment, business development, and investor readiness. The programme concluded with a public Demo Day, where start-ups pitched their solutions to mentors, experts, and relevant stakeholders.

Throughout the programme, participating teams benefited from intensive engagement with Albanian and European industry experts, online and offline workshops, innovation labs, learning journeys, and “roasting” sessions designed to challenge assumptions and strengthen solution robustness. In addition, the cohort gained access to the EIT Climate-KIC network, including visibility, communication support, and tools such as the Climate SAFE framework, contributing to the strengthening of both individual ventures and the broader climate-tech ecosystem in Albania.

Strong Businesses and Communities for Moldova  Project description Jan 2024- April 2024

Moldova

SDG Innovation Lab Project description:

The Vienna SDG Innovation Lab is a 5 month accelerator-like programme for Viennese SMEs supported by the OeKO Business Vienna and designed and facilitated by Koestinger & Partners ( former Koestinger Consulting). It ran two cohorts in 2021 and 2022 aiming to demonstrate how the SDGs can be incorporated and operationalized in a business innovation context, following commercial gains while making a significant positive impact on the goals.

It was the first of its kind because it was focused solely on SMEs struggling in the post-COVID crisis.  It aimed to help SMEs design new products and business models and to demonstrate that the SDGs can be integrated and operationalized in a business innovation context by designing solutions that are technologically feasible, environmentally benign, culturally acceptable, and economically profitable.

 The program covered the following main topics:

• Development of a new product concept incorporating the SDGs
• Identification of future customer needs
• Expansion of the business model
• Supply chain analysis, collaboration with other companies
• Networking – through joint workshops, experts, coaches and co-pilots
• Responsible marketing of new producst

 The individual company objectives were very diverse and ranged from plastic recycling and reduction, waste reduction, circular economy models, energy saving and energy optimization, CO2 reduction, new materials, smart farming, mobility, slow fashion and they come from different industries.

With a combination of innovative techniques like design thinking, sprint design, business model canvas, customer discovery and validation, empathy map and personas, sustainable product design, the business case for sustainability, storytelling and pitching, impact models, the SDGs, lean startup and other innovative tools that startups use, the participating SMEs are guided and coached to innovate fast and design sustainable products and services like a startup.

A great part of the program is dedicated to the one2one mentoring and coaching form purpose-driven mentors with aim of bringing together different perspectives that can help challenge and validate their new solutions/ products.

In 2021 15 Viennese companies participated SDG innovation LAB . In 2022 7 Viennese companies have participated in the SDG innovation LAB. The accelerator was implemented by Koestinger and co-financed by OeKO Business Vienna.

Acceleration Programme of the FIPEE Call for High Impact Cleantech  Project description Jan -April 2002

 The #FIPEECall , organized within the framework of the project “Fostering international partnerships between companies and/or institutions operating in the energy and environment sectors” (FIPEE), funded by the Italian Ministry of Ecological Transition and implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy, aims to identify, accelerate and promote high-impact cleantech solutions and innovations, in order to address the adverse effects of climate change and ultimately contribute to inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

A 3,5 months Acceleration Programme for 25 selected Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Start-ups from Botswana, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kenya and Peru that had the opportunity to take part in the coaching and training activities of the  to improve their business model and investment readiness.

Priority was given to the following technology categories: Renewable Energy, Water Efficiency, Water Treatment, Energy Efficiency, Waste Management, Green Transport and Green Building, Climate Mitigation and Adaptation, Forest Management and Conservation, Soil Remediation, Treatment and Disposal of Inert, Sustainable and Smart Agriculture, and Circular Economy.

In order to boost their investment readiness and business competitiveness, the selected MSMEs and startups received the following benefits:

– Tailored business acceleration coaching, mentoring, and training

– Opportunity to showcase their technology innovations and solutions at upcoming international events

– Matchmaking services with investor networks, commercialization partners and government procurement offices

– Curated peer networking with other MSMEs and startups

– Communication support for enhanced visibility Participation in the initiative is free of charge.

Delivered by Koestinger, the Acceleration Programme of the FIPEE Call for High Impact Cleantech was carried out successfully throughout the months of January and April 2022 in English and in Spanish. The accelerator featured 6 Live-Labs as well as multiple special sessions with international mentors, entrepreneurs and top guests sharing their experiences, success cases and best practices.

During the concluding Demo-Day on 20th April, all MSMEs and startups who attended the course delivered their best business pitch to the Jury Members of the Acceleration Programme , including MiTE, GCIP and the business acceleration mentors,  who eventually selected the five winners of the FIPEE Call, one for each target country.

Mentoring program for SMEs- Marine litter prevention Project description Nov 2022- June 2024

The overall project goal is the improvement of business planning and operations in plastic waste reduction of recycling of local businesses (SMEs and Startups) in Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro.

The specific objective of this project was that by the end of this contract, in four partner countries, a total of at least 16 start-ups / small and medium enterprises (including two women-owned enterprises) have implemented first steps of their business models based on plastic waste reduction or recycling strategies.

 Services provided by Koestinger & Partners:

1. Design and develop a concept for a gender-sensitive ideas competition to achieve the project objectives– Design the full set of open call for proposal; launch and disseminate
2. Implementation of the gender-sensitive ideas competition for SME/start-ups in four countries in cooperation with national associations and supported by national experts.
3. SMEs participate in the open call (potentially define a clear goal as part of their applications) Selection process and tailored advisory services based on the industry
4. Provide in-depth one on one advisory for the selected small and medium enterprises ensuring tangible results and documented impact with participating SME/start-ups.
5. Perform 3 company On-site visit to each country with individual diagnosis process /the current situation/business stage are assessed, Contribution to review and/or design of company factsheets per each country,
6. Individual one-on-one advisory services in light of concluding the accelerator and delivering the Plan of Implementation steps
7. Organising a Study vist to Vienna for 2 companies per country

ExportStars Project Description May 2021 – August 2021

In 2021, ExportStars implemented its first specialization course in Sustainable Export Management in Albania, marking the launch of its educational and ecosystem-building activities in the country. The project was delivered with the support of RISIAlbania, an innovative programme supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and in cooperation with the Agricultural University of Tirana. The initiative responded to the increasing demand for export-oriented skills aligned with sustainability principles and EU market requirements, particularly within Albania’s agribusiness sector.

The project aimed to strengthen practical export management capacities among graduating students and young professionals while fostering closer collaboration between academia and export-oriented SMEs. By combining structured online learning with applied, real-life business cases, ExportStars sought to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and the operational realities of international trade.

The specialization course was delivered as a five-week online programme and brought together around thirty graduating students from the Agricultural University of Tirana and a group of young professionals working in Albanian agribusiness companies active in export markets. The curriculum was organized into thematic modules covering export fundamentals, market and marketing research, international marketing strategies, sustainability and innovation in trade, contractual and compliance aspects, logistics and international movement of goods, regulatory frameworks, and financial considerations related to exporting. The learning process was supported through live sessions, guided discussions, and dedicated office hours with experts.

A defining feature of the project was its strong practice-based approach. Participating companies provided real export-related challenges, which were addressed by course participants through team-based project work under the guidance of experienced export and management professionals. This format allowed participants to apply newly acquired knowledge to concrete cases while enabling companies to explore potential solutions to their export challenges. At the same time, companies gained early access to emerging talent, with opportunities to further engage high-performing participants through internships or future employment.

Through this pilot implementation, ExportStars successfully tested an innovative online specialization model that connected students, professionals, and SMEs around sustainable export management. The project contributed to building export-related human capital in Albania, promoted sustainability-oriented trade practices, and laid the foundation for the further development of ExportStars as an international education platform and community focused on resilient and responsible trade ecosystems.

IGNITE Project Description

SPARK Project Description

Agro Incubator Tirana Project Description September – October 2022

Agro Incubator Tirana was a pilot entrepreneurship and innovation programme implemented in 2022 at the Universiteti Bujqësor i Tiranës, aiming to foster student-led innovation and startup creation in the fields of agriculture and food systems. The initiative focused on supporting students in developing AgriTech-oriented business ideas aligned with contemporary standards of sustainability, technology, and market relevance.

The programme was financially supported by the Ministria e Shtetit për Mbrojtjen e Sipërmarrjes and the Ministria e Bujqësisë dhe Zhvillimit Rural, and implemented in cooperation with the SDG Innovation Lab. It aimed to stimulate innovative solutions that contribute to increased agricultural productivity while promoting environmental protection and sustainable development.

A core component of Agro Incubator Tirana was a 48-hour SDG-focused Hackathon held on 12–13 September 2022 at the Agricultural University of Tirana. The hackathon brought together students from multiple faculties, including agriculture, agrobusiness, food biotechnology, forestry, and veterinary medicine, as well as young people with or without prior business ideas. Participants worked in interdisciplinary teams on challenges in AgriTech, VetTech, CleanTech, and FoodTech, developing solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals under the guidance of experienced startup mentors.

Following the hackathon, selected teams continued their journey through a structured incubator programme consisting of six innovation labs delivered in both face-to-face and online formats. The programme supported participants in validating their ideas, developing prototypes, designing purpose-driven business models, and strengthening their entrepreneurial skills. The initiative concluded with a Demo Day, where teams presented their solutions to mentors, experts, and stakeholders, marking an important step toward building a sustainable, innovation-driven agricultural ecosystem in Albania.