Joined For Sustainability

The 1FUTURE project aims to to improve regional capacities in implementing Green Deal goals within higher education system. The 1Future project builds up on the needs and the ambition to lead climate action in HEIs in the WB Region. Within the project, HEIs of the region will serve as the gear that connects different stakeholders for building climate resilient communities.

Erasmus + Program

The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action supports international cooperation projects based on multilateral partnerships between organisations active in the field of higher education. It will support a successful green and sustainable global economic recovery in the third countries not associated to the Erasmus+ programme, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement.

Leading Partner

The University of Tirana is the largest university in the country. It consists of six faculties and two institutes and offers 174 programs in all three cycles of study, with 779 full-time academic staff and approximately 28,550 students. Thanks to its tradition, high level of qualification, training and certification, the University of Tirana remains the most sought after university in Albania.

Exploring Urban Innovation and Climate-Responsive Design – 1FUTURE Training Week at IUAV Venice

Posted on June 3, 2025

From May 26 to 30, 2025, IUAV University of Venice hosted a training week for academic staff from the Western Balkans, organized under the framework of the 1FUTURE Project. The program explored key intersections between design, sustainability, urbanism, circular economy, innovation, and the crucial role of academic research in advancing social and environmental impact.

Participants from partner universities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro engaged in a mix of sessions, thematic discussions, and site visits designed to bridge academic theory with real-world practices in urban transformation and climate adaptation.

The week began with an in-depth exploration of design thinking, highlighting innovative approaches to product, service, and interaction design through a sustainability lens, and showcasing student-led projects. Midweek, participants took part in the Biennale Climate event, engaging in high-level dialogue on climate-responsive urbanism and architecture. The event brought together stakeholders from major European municipalities, fostering a rich exchange of perspectives on how cities can respond effectively to climate challenges.

The final two days featured joint seminars under the theme “University Research as a Public Good,” emphasizing the transformative potential of academia in promoting urban innovation, inclusive policy design, and impactful collaborative research.

The week concluded with a dedicated 1FUTURE Project meeting, where concrete results were defined and next steps for upcoming joint activities were outlined. This initiative is part of 1FUTURE’s broader mission to strengthen education and research capacities across the Western Balkans, equipping academic institutions with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to respond to today’s pressing societal and environmental challenges.

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