This opportunity was presented within the framework of Biodrini, a cross-border project focused on enhancing biodiversity in the Drini River Basin through Integrated Watershed Management. The project is implemented by Kukës Municipality and Rahovec Municipality (in Kosovo), and Urban Research Institute (URI), a partner organization in Albania, and is funded by the EU.

The Summer School, which took place from October 2 to 6 last year in Kukës, gathered winning participants from both Albania and Kosovo. "It was an ideal opportunity for all of us to gain more knowledge, particularly about water systems and river basin management. While we learned a bit of everything at university, this training introduced us to topics specifically related to rivers. I found forest management most interesting, discovering things I hadn't heard before. Forests are crucial for preventing flooding and soil erosion, and we should prioritize their protection," Kristi says.

During the programme, participants visited the Drini River, addressing concerns about the pollution of Fierza Lake caused by waste from streams flowing into the lake. "You can easily convince people not to throw waste into the rivers or streams. I see the role of institutions and legislation as more of a problem than people. It seems they do not prioritize the environment, not investing in bins and collecting waste regularly," explains Kristi.

The Biodrini project is in its final phase. It will install litter traps and monitoring cameras in the Drini River, raise public awareness about biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, and, in the end, produce an integrated management plan for the Drini River basin, which the two municipalities will adopt.

Kristi Dashi/BioDrin

Kristi sees new opportunities. He was hired by URI, the partner organization implementing BioDrini, to work on other environmental projects. Kristi coordinated the winter school of the same project in Rahovec from December 4 to 8 last year, observing the great interest of students to deepen their knowledge in various environmental aspects.

Apart from BioDrini, Kristi is involved in another cross-border project at URI supported by the EU called EcoRoutes, focused on ecotourism in the Kukës - Rahovec areas. His role involves collaborating with local experts to reopen three closed trails for ecotourism in Koritnik and Gjallica mountains. The project aims to create a joint tourism package to explore the beautiful landscape between the two cross-border areas.

Kristi expresses his eagerness to be involved in more projects, driven by his passion for learning. His message to young graduates is, "If you love your profession, there will always be an open door waiting for you to enter and to do your best."

About the projects

BioDrini – This project aims to protect the environment and enhance biodiversity by implementing best practices along the Drin River Basin in the territories of Rahovec and Kukes. It started in 2022 and will end in 2024 with a total funding of 462,104 € of which 392,788.00 € is EU contribution.

The EcoRoutes – This project aims to contribute to promoting the growth of sustainable development and attractiveness of the Kukës - Rahovec areas to better utilize their tourist potentials in the pursuit of regional development. It will alsofacilitate cross-border cooperation by promoting eco-tourism routes in both areas as natural and cultural corridors, thereby creating job and commercial opportunities as well as increasing capacities that promote environmental conservation and cultural diversity.