On April 22, 2022—Earth Day, something remarkable happened in Laknas, Tirana. For the first time, local authorities, residents, and youth activists stood side by side, united by one mission: to clean up one of the largest illegal dumping sites along the Ishmi River.
What had once been a neglected and polluted area was about to be transformed. The cleanup was organized in the framework of the MELI Project, supported by Leviz Albania and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and marked a turning point in local environmental action.
A Joint Effort for Change
This cleanup was not just about collecting waste—it was about building cooperation and accountability.
- The Municipality of Kamëz brought in heavy machinery to remove large debris that had accumulated for years.
- Local residents, many of whom had grown frustrated with the pollution, stepped forward to help restore their own neighborhoods.
- Young volunteers from RESU took charge of sorting and collecting smaller waste, demonstrating the power of youth-led action.
For the first time, all stakeholders worked together, proving that collective action is possible when there is a shared commitment to change.
The Results: A Riverbank Restored
By the end of the day:
✅ Nearly 5 tons of waste were removed.
✅ An illegal dumping site that had been polluting the river for years was cleared.
✅ A commitment was made to continue working toward long-term solutions.
The cleanup site was located near a Roma community, where families and children had been living next to waste for years. The impact of the action was immediate—not only did it restore the environment, but it also improved living conditions for the people directly affected by the pollution.
A Step Toward Long-Term Solutions
The event did not end when the last bag of waste was collected. Following the cleanup, the Municipality of Kamëz took further action:
- On May 4, 2022, the municipality formed a dedicated task force to continue the cleanup along the Ishmi River.
- Within weeks, three additional illegal dumping sites had been removed as a result of the initiative.
- Plans were discussed for a long-term waste management strategy, including better enforcement of regulations and stronger collaboration with local communities.
Earth Day 2022: A New Beginning
This cleanup action set a new precedent—a moment where youth, residents, and government officials worked as oneto protect their environment. It showed that when different groups come together, real, visible change happens.
For the volunteers who had spent the day collecting waste, and for the residents who had watched their neighborhood transform, this wasn’t just about one cleanup—it was about proving that solutions are possible when everyone takes responsibility.
And for the Ishmi River, this was the first step toward a cleaner, healthier future.