EWA 2025 Welcomes Ten Albanian Women Shaping the Future of Sustainable Food

The event opened with remarks from Thorben Kruse, Head of Agriculture at GIZ SRD, who emphasized the value of mentoring for rural women entrepreneurs and the programme’s focus on sustainable agrifood innovation. Eneda Shiroka gave a presentation on the importance of intellectual property.

The 10 entrepreneurs then pitched their diverse business ideas, ranging from AI farming tools and agro-tourism to biodegradable packaging and healthy foods. During two speed dating rounds, each entrepreneur connected with at least three mentors to discuss potential partnerships.

The “Startup Night: Failing Forward” session featured three speakers—entrepreneur and mentor Iva Mera, business leader Jetmira Kajoshi, and Monika Hysenbegasi—who shared stories about turning failure into growth. The event ended with a networking dinner for informal discussions.

• Anila Çollaku – Through her family-run agritourism business Shporta Lord Byron, Anila produces and promotes natural, handmade food products such as herbal teas, traditional gliko, fruit vinegars, and olive oil. Using only local, additive-free ingredients, her mission is to preserve Albania’s culinary traditions, support small farmers, and promote healthy, sustainable rural tourism.
• Ardeta Koçi – Founder of FoodLovers Albania, Ardeta is building a multidimensional platform that blends culinary education, cultural storytelling, and product development. Her goal is to launch a line of “Made in Albania” gourmet food items—locally sourced, environmentally conscious, and rich in national identity.
• Argita Daja – Argita’s project involves opening an organic ice cream factory in the heart of Petrela. By using locally produced milk, eggs, fruits, and herbs, the initiative will support regional agriculture and offer healthier, unique alternatives to industrial ice cream while reducing packaging waste.
• Flora Sali – Flora produces certified natural honey that meets high food safety and quality standards. Her focus is on building consumer trust through clear labeling and premium packaging that highlights the origin, health benefits, and transparency of her product in a market often plagued by misinformation.
• Hysnie Likaj – Hysnie is developing AgroBee, a digital platform designed to connect small farmers with local markets and provide tools for accessing grants and financial support. Aiming to reduce systemic barriers in agriculture, the platform has the potential to become a scalable, inclusive solution for rural economic development.
• Migena Nako – With her project RELeaf Durrës, Migena transforms agricultural waste into eco-friendly packaging and recycled paper. The initiative also empowers women and youth in rural communities through training and employment, promoting a circular economy and reducing environmental pollution.
• Rea Loshi – BioAgroBooster, Rea’s innovative composting solution, converts post-harvest and food waste into high-quality organic fertilizer. The project links food businesses with farmers to reduce chemical use, improve soil health, and combat environmental degradation—creating a circular, sustainable agricultural model.
• Sentiljana Marku – Sentiljana’s business, Mjedrat e Danjes, focuses on cultivating organic raspberries and producing natural food items. She plans to expand into value-added processing to reach broader markets and encourage healthy lifestyles through organic nutrition.
• Sonilda Lamaj – As founder of Ferma Dielleza, Sonilda is developing a sustainable farm-to-table concept that merges organic farming with agrotourism. Her approach supports biodiversity, preserves traditional practices, and creates income-generating tourism experiences for rural communities.
• Xhoana Ramku presents a culturally inspired restaurant concept that promotes healthy living through traditional Albanian cuisine. By sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers, she offers tourists authentic breakfast experiences rooted in heritage. Her initiative also champions sustainability through eco-friendly packaging and the revival of forgotten recipes.

• Ilir Rembeci
• Iri Bajo
• Jolta Kacani
• Arsida Dedja
• Iva Mera
• Ylldise Brahimi
• Alban Zusi
• Faola Hodaj
• Brunilda Licaj
• Ropi Miti
• Spartak Sokoli
• Genti Beqiri
• Fabiola Arapi
  

Over the coming six months, the ten inspiring women selected for EWA Albania will focus on developing their business ideas with dedicated support and hands-on experience. Each participant will receive at least six hours of mentorship per month, helping them fine-tune their projects and tackle entrepreneurial challenges with expert guidance.

In addition to one-on-one mentoring, they’ll expand their knowledge through virtual training sessions, deep dives into market research, and interactive workshops designed to sharpen their professional skills. The journey will culminate in a Demo Day on November, where participants will showcase their progress and pitch their ideas. They’ll compete for a total of €15,000 in grants, bringing them one step closer to turning their visions into reality and making a lasting impact in the agrifood sector.

Balance Center is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development in Albania. With a team of 45 experts, it supports new and struggling businesses through tailored coaching, training, and mentoring. Since 2016, Balance has trained over 4,500 entrepreneurs, creating more than 9,000 jobs. Key initiatives include CoSolve, supporting 700 businesses since 2020, and Beyond IDEA, promoting green and tech startups. Hosting Albania’s UN Women Entrepreneurship EXPO Satellite, it empowers women in rural tourism, agro-processing, and eco-friendly enterprises.

Learn more about Balance Center on their webpage.