12 Innovative Solutions to Shape a Circular Future: Meet the Hackathon Winners of CCL Shkodra

Circular City Lab Shkodra Hackathon brought together all the selected applicants from the CCL Shkodra program. This 3-day intensive event challenged participants to develop and refine their innovative solutions for the circular economy. Throughout the event, teams worked closely with mentors, engaged in hands-on workshops, and prototyped their ideas. Based on their efforts and progress, they delivered final pitches on the last day, with the best teams advancing to the acceleration phase of the program, where they will receive further support to bring their ideas to life.

The hackathon kicked off with a welcoming session that set the tone for three days of intense collaboration and creativity. The opening speeches were delivered by Edvin Pacara from the EU Delegation to Albania, Thilo Schroeter representing the German Embassy, and Bekim Mema from Shkodra Municipality. Each speaker emphasized the importance of local innovation in advancing Albania’s sustainability agenda, while also stressing the need for collaboration across sectors.

Marcel Thomkins then provided an in-depth overview of the hackathon’s goals, focusing on the intersection of circular economy principles with real-world applications in Shkodra. The key aim was to encourage participants to think beyond traditional economic models and develop solutions that close the loop on resource use, waste management, and urban biodiversity.

Day 1

The highlight of Day 1 was an inspiring keynote speech delivered by Eduart Cani, who is recognized for his work in sustainable innovations. His presentation delved into successful examples of circular economy initiatives across Europe and explored how these concepts could be adapted to Albania’s context. Cani’s talk sparked excitement among participants and encouraged them to consider unconventional approaches to solving local environmental issues.

After the keynote, the participants were given the floor to pitch their ideas. Each person had the opportunity to present their concept, and teams were subsequently formed based on shared interests and complementary skill sets. This team-building session was crucial in laying the groundwork for the collaborative efforts that would define the next two days of the hackathon.

Day 2

The second day was dedicated to ideation and problem-solving, with participants focused on transforming their initial ideas into tangible solutions. Teams worked closely with assigned mentors, industry experts and academics, who provided guidance.?

Workshops were conducted to equip participants with the necessary tools for success. One of the key sessions focused on building sustainable business models, where participants learned how to create value through circular solutions while ensuring financial viability. The workshop also covered best practices in reducing waste, reusing materials, and designing products that minimize environmental impact.?

As the day progressed, participants prepared for their final presentations.

Day 3

The final day of the hackathon was filled with anticipation as teams geared up for their presentations. Each team had a limited amount of time to present their project to a panel of judges, comprised of experts from the public and private sectors, as well as academia. The judging criteria included innovation, feasibility, sustainability impact, and alignment with circular economy principles.

Projects ranged from innovative waste management solutions to urban biodiversity enhancement initiatives. Each team demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling real-world challenges, and the diversity of ideas reflected the interdisciplinary nature of the event.?

After careful deliberation, the jury announced the winners. Awards were given to the top teams based on the creativity and potential impact of their solutions.

1. Antika Solution (Alkend Cuko) addresses waste by rescuing, restoring, and reselling household items. Through partnerships with decluttering companies, they recover materials and offer sustainable, affordable products, turning waste into valuable resources.

2. Trast Me (Alminda Mema) tackles textile waste from furniture factories by collecting it at no cost and turning it into economic value. This reuse not only creates jobs but also protects the environment.

3. Plot Shije (Elton Shpuza) reduces food waste by turning overproduced, unshaped, or nearly spoiled fruits and vegetables into handmade products, employing middle-aged women and supporting local markets.

4. EcoCycle Connect (Endri Suknaj) solves the issue of organic waste disposal by creating a digital marketplace where businesses can offer waste for farmers and composters, minimizing landfill use and promoting a circular economy.?

5. 1998 Studio (Enio Marku) creatively reuses old clothes to design personalized items, primarily for tourists, reducing textile waste and promoting sustainable fashion.

6. Eco Clean Buckets (Hygert Hoxhaj) collects and reuses paint and sauce buckets from businesses, offering discounts for returned buckets to reduce environmental harm and cut down on waste.

7. Eggcellent Recycle (Mirza Berdica) collects and recycles carton waste from businesses to produce eco-friendly products like egg trays and coffee cup holders, reducing pollution and avoiding fines for businesses.

8. The Galley Hostel (Paige Becker) is addressing the problem of plastic waste by introducing a reusable cup system in Shkodra’s hostels and bars, reducing single-use plastic and increasing profits for local businesses.

9. Alpine Bees Beewax Clean and Recycle (Rinaldo Gjolaj) combats high costs and contamination in wax production by collecting and recycling used wax from beekeepers, providing cleaner, reusable frames for bees.

10. Goje Gaditese (Silvi Kastrati) reduces the environmental impact of single-use items by offering reusable packaging and sustainable equipment for take-out, catering, and large-scale events, lowering costs and minimizing waste.

11. Bed Station (Sindi) transforms textile and wood waste into fashion items and functional furniture, engaging the community through workshops and promoting creative reuse of materials.

12. Circa (Xhulio Gjecaj) offers a platform for consumers and businesses to buy, sell, and recycle textiles, reducing waste in the fashion industry and encouraging circular consumption.

The 12 winning projects were praised for their practicality and scalability, with the potential to be implemented not only in Shkodra but across other Albanian cities as well.

CCL Shkodra is an acceleration programme powered by EU for Circular Economy and Livable Cities and EU4Innovation, implemented by YSB Balkans, in collaboration with Deep Ecosystems, Arka and the Municipality of Shkodra.