Countries with large and active Albanian communities will host “Albanian Week.”

Deputy Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Vilma Premti presented the 2026 budget draft for the National Diaspora Agency to the Parliamentary Commission for Culture, Tourism, and Diaspora. She said the Agency plans to expand “Albanian Week” to more countries in 2026. This follows the successful implementation of several diaspora activities in 2025.

The program will last about one week in each country. It aims to protect the traditions and national identity of Albanian communities.

Premti explained that the activities will focus on key target groups and professional networking. They include meetings with academics, political leaders, business figures, and visits to cultural centers and Albanian schools in diaspora communities.

Other coordinated activities with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs include the annual summer school “I Am Albanian”. Each year, students from different countries will participate.

Another key event in 2026 will be the Fourth Diaspora Summit. The Prime Minister, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the National Diaspora Agency, and other institutions will oversee it.

Regarding the budget, Premti said the allocated funds align with the Agency’s requests during the 2026–2028 medium-term budget planning.

The salary and social security fund for 2026 is 28 million lek, including 24 million for salaries and 4 million for social contributions. The Agency currently has 11 staff members.

The 2026 budget also includes 50 million lek for current expenses and 8 million lek for capital expenditures. Premti emphasized that the budget considers the planned increase in activities to fulfill the Agency’s mission in line with government priorities and the National Diaspora Strategy.

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