Three young Albanians have returned from abroad and chosen to build their professional futures in their home country. Their stories, ranging from tourism to medicinal and aromatic plants, featured in the “Flasim” podcast with Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The three entrepreneurs all share a similar journey. They left Albania, gained experience abroad and later returned to invest in their hometowns.

“Driloni has firmly settled in Vajkal, Bulqizë, where he has established a facility for collecting and processing medicinal plants. Meanwhile, Ergi and Enso have returned from Austria and Germany,” Rama said.

Driloni, an entrepreneur from Bulqizë, told Rama how he moved from Italy back to his hometown and built a business around medicinal and aromatic plants.

He left for Italy in 2003. After five or six years, he returned to Bulqizë and initially established a transport company that mainly served the mining sector. At the same time, he continued his studies.

Later, he saw new opportunities in the area and decided to change direction. He closed the transport business and invested in medicinal and aromatic plants.

“I was born in Bulqizë, where I also ran my transport business. Later, I decided to close that activity and open this medicinal and aromatic plant business. We managed to build the warehouse and put it into operation,” Driloni said.

The business started in 2022. Since then, it has grown steadily and exceeded his initial expectations.

However, Driloni first had to convince local residents that naturally growing plants could become a source of income.

“We came to Bulqizë with a completely different mindset. People know the area for heavy mining. So, when we introduced this idea and this new plan to collect medicinal plants, many residents did not know about it or accept it easily,” he said.

He cited wild blackberry leaves as an example. Local residents could find them near their homes, but they had never considered them a commercial product.

“We tell them about blackberry leaves, which they have near their homes: collect them. They can sell them for one euro per kilogram when fresh or two euros when dried. At first, they could not imagine that anyone would buy them,” Driloni said.

Today, the situation has changed significantly. The business initially worked with around 30 families. That network has now grown to more than 400 families.

“The growth remains steady and exceeds our expectations because more farmers join us. They learn that we make payments directly on site. The location also gives them logistical advantages because of the roads,” the entrepreneur said.

Meanwhile, the company has started developing prototype machinery to make collection easier. Local mechanics in Bulqizë help build the machines, which the company uses to harvest and collect plants.

“We worked together, developed the ideas and managed to build a machine from scratch for collection. We succeeded,” he said.

However, Driloni has expanded the business beyond medicinal plants. The company now also collects snails, another natural product with export potential.

“Besides its mining production, Bulqizë also represents a paradise for medicinal and aromatic plants,” he said.

According to Driloni, company studies have identified a potential of more than 700 tons of wild snails per season in the areas of Bulqizë, Maqellarë and Burrel.

“I started this business for everyone. I did not close the door to anyone,” he said.

The company has collected up to 10 tons of snails. A company in Korçë then exports the product to markets in Greece and France.

Driloni’s story forms part of a broader trend involving young Albanians who have returned from emigration and chosen to build businesses in their home country. Many of them use the resources and opportunities available in their regions of origin.

The podcast also introduced two other entrepreneurs, Ergi and Enso. Both returned from abroad and invested in Albania, with their businesses operating in Tirana and Berat and focusing on the tourism sector.

Ergi first moved to Austria to pursue a career in football. He played for around 18 months to two years in Austria’s third division as a left winger. However, he later decided to return home.

“I went to Austria and gave it a try. I played in the third division with a team. Things did not go as well as I wanted because I aspired to play in the first division,” Ergi said.

After returning to Albania, he had the opportunity to continue playing football in the first division. Instead, he joined the family business and started working in sales.

“My older brother opened the door for me. I had never worked in the family business before. I continued my journey here with my family. I started in sales and realized that I had a hidden talent. I had that talent in football, and I also had it in business,” he said.

Meanwhile, his brother Enso chose Germany after spending several years working in the family business. He said he left after an intense period of work and because he wanted to experience something different.

“After four years in the business and a difficult period of transition, I became tired in a way. The business had taken a lot out of me, especially during the first years. When my brother returned, I told him: now it is my turn. I want to try something else,” Enso recalled.

In Germany, Enso learned the language and tried to enter the labor market. After some time, however, he decided to return to Albania.

“I learned the language very quickly, in six months. I also took a B2-level interview in German. But I compared both options: what Germany offered me and what Albania offered me. I am very happy to be here,” he said.

Enso also highlighted the importance of family, friends and lifestyle. He said living abroad helped him understand their value more clearly.

“When you leave, you understand the value of family and friends. When you are here, you do not always realize it. But when you are there, you understand it,” he said.

The family business, which now involves both brothers, initially offered only two products for the hospitality sector: bed sheets and towels.

Over the years, however, the company expanded its product range. Today, it also produces mattresses and other products for hotels.

The two brothers also link the company’s growth to Albania’s expanding tourism sector. At the same time, they see further opportunities to expand the business in the future.

The three young entrepreneurs have followed different paths through Italy, Austria and Germany. Nevertheless, they have made the same choice: return to Albania and build their professional futures through entrepreneurship in Tirana, Berat and Bulqizë.

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