Milieukontakt Albania is an environmental non-profit based in Tirana. Its work supports civil-society organisations and local authorities in Albania on environmental protection, nature and sustainable development. The organisation says its programmes aim to strengthen an environmental NGO movement able to raise public awareness and contribute to policy and decision-making at local, national and international levels. Its approach combines organisational capacity-building, public participation and practical responses to environmental problems.2
Valbona Mazreku, who studied biology and law at the University of Tirana, founded the organisation and has served as its executive director since 2000. Project manager Arion Sauku, who joined the staff in 2015, works on environmental protection and sustainable development.2 The organisation’s stated experience spans more than 20 years, and its projects address issues including waste, water, energy, climate change, chemicals and agriculture.411
Its portfolio includes local waste-planning work in Kavajë, air and noise reporting, plastic-pollution prevention on Sazan and Kune-Vain islands, and RIVERCLEAN, which supports civil-society monitoring and action on plastic pollution in the Ishëm and Vjosa river basins.119 The organisation also works beyond Albania through cross-border and regional partnerships; for example, RenovAID addresses building energy efficiency in Albania and Kosovo.310 Its registered contact address is in Tirana.5