On 27/12/2021, the MELI Project was officially launched, bringing together local leaders, residents, activists, and experts for a critical discussion on the growing waste crisis along the Ishmi River. This meeting wasn’t just about presenting a new initiative—it was about setting the stage for action, mobilizing the community, and making it clear that environmental issues require both citizen engagement and government accountability.
Funded by Leviz Albania and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the MELI Project aims to reduce illegal dumping, strengthen local democracy, and push for better environmental policies.
A Gathering of Stakeholders
Held in Laknas, the Kick-Off Meeting was attended by:
✅ RESU activists and project leaders
✅ Municipal representatives from Kamëz
✅ Local residents and business owners
✅ Academics and environmental expertsFor many in the room, this was the first time they had come together to discuss the crisis in an official setting. The air was filled with both frustration and hope—frustration at the years of pollution and inaction, and hope that this project could finally push for real change.
Setting the Agenda – The Goals of MELI
During the meeting, RESU’s Project Manager, Oljam Dervishi, outlined the key objectives of MELI:
📌 Encouraging citizen participation in local governance to demand better waste management solutions.
📌 Mobilizing the community for awareness campaigns and cleanup actions along the Ishmi River.
📌 Creating a direct communication bridge between residents and local authorities.
📌 Promoting civic activism and using legal mechanisms to hold the government accountable.
📌 Training environmental ambassadors to monitor illegal dumping and increase public pressure.
One key discussion point was the neglect of the Ishmi River. Despite its importance, the river had been turned into an open landfill, with dumping sites growing over the years due to poor waste management and lack of enforcement.
A resident of Laknas stood up and said:
“We have complained so many times, but nothing changes. Now we need to show them that we will not stay silent.”
A Call for Action – The First Steps
At the end of the meeting, attendees agreed on the first major steps of the project:
🔹 Conducting field research to document the most affected areas.
🔹 Engaging with local youth to collect data on illegal dumping sites.
🔹 Organizing the first cleanup action to set an example for the community.
🔹 Starting official communication with local authorities to push for commitments.
As the meeting concluded, the energy in the room had shifted—what started as frustration turned into a collective commitment to action.
This was more than just a kick-off meeting. It was the beginning of a movement.
MELI was officially in motion.
