Strengthening Albania’s Innovation Ecosystem - Strategic Investment and Collaborative Approaches in Scientific Research and University-Industry Partnerships

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the efforts undertaken by Albania to strengthen its research and innovation framework in alignment with European standards. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate the initiatives and strategies launched by the Albanian government to enhance performance in scientific research, foster innovation, and promote collaboration between universities and industry, as well as to incorporate the research of higher education institutions and research institutions into the European Research Area, through the examination of several strategic documents from the European Commission, OECD, RCC, and the Albanian government. In 2018, the European Commission, in its Strategy for the Western Balkans, highlighted education, scientific research, and innovation as key factors for fostering economic development, competition, and social cohesion in the region. Albania’s obligation to undertake political, legal, institutional, and financial initiatives to support the consolidation of the research and innovation system stems from the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). Within this framework, the Albanian government has initiated a series of actions, allocated budgets, intervened in structures, and launched informative and awareness-raising campaigns regarding applications for EU funds, particularly in Horizon 2020. Methodology: This paper adopts a qualitative research methodology, drawing on a range of reports, strategic documents, and legal frameworks produced over the past five years. The analysis is structured around key themes such as innovation, scientific research, university-business collaboration, and the broader innovation ecosystem, with the research utilizing these focal keywords to identify and evaluate relevant materials. Findings: In Albania, innovation ecosystem faces coordination challenges due to fragmented responsibilities across ministries, limiting effective resource allocation and support for enterprises. Strengthened collaboration between academia and industry is needed to boost innovation and technology transfer. Value: The paper contributes to the existing literature by proposing a comprehensive action plan that prioritizes research infrastructure, enhances the legal framework, and provides targeted services to support technology absorption, all of which would bolster Albania’s innovation ecosystem.