NaturEUnite – Nature Unites EU Citizens

NaturEUnite – Nature Unites EU Citizens is a European cooperation project implemented under the EU Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme, bringing together partners and citizens from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Albania.

The project promotes cross-border cooperation, town twinning, citizen participation, environmental awareness, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage in nature areas across Europe. Through international study visits and local events, NaturEUnite creates opportunities for citizens, municipalities, environmental organizations, tourism actors, and local communities to exchange experiences and jointly reflect on sustainable development and shared European values.

As part of the project, each partner country organizes a town-twinning event involving international and local participants, combining cultural exchange, local heritage activities, workshops, discussions, and awareness-raising on EU values and nature preservation.

ASDO’s Participation in NaturEUnite

The Albania Sustainable Development Organization, ASDO participated as the Albanian partner in the NaturEUnite project, contributing to the promotion of Albania’s natural heritage, community-based tourism, and local sustainable development practices.

ASDO hosted an international delegation in southern Albania, bringing together representatives from nature parks, environmental organizations, municipalities, local businesses, and civil society actors. The Albanian event was designed as a cultural, environmental, and eco-tourism learning experience, focused on the connection between citizens, local communities, nature protection, and sustainable rural development.

The event involved participants from Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Albania, creating a platform for dialogue, cooperation, and shared learning across five European countries.

Promoting EU Values and Citizen Participation

A central element of the NaturEUnite project is the promotion of EU values through practical citizen engagement. The Albanian event encouraged participants to reflect on transparency, democratic participation, inclusion, cultural diversity, environmental responsibility, and cooperation between communities.

Special attention was given to the role of municipalities and local actors in strengthening citizen participation. Discussions in Memaliaj addressed how local governance can support more inclusive decision-making, especially through the involvement of young people, women, civil society, and community representatives.

The project also emphasized the importance of gender equality and non-discrimination, aiming for balanced and inclusive participation across all events.

Through its participation in NaturEUnite, ASDO contributed to:

• Strengthening cooperation between citizens and organizations from Albania and EU partner countries;
• Promoting Albania’s natural and cultural heritage as part of a shared European identity;
• Supporting dialogue on environmental protection and sustainable tourism;
• Encouraging local communities to take an active role in nature preservation;
• Creating new opportunities for cross-border cooperation among municipalities, NGOs, tourism actors, and rural businesses.

The project demonstrated how nature, culture, and citizen engagement can serve as bridges between European communities, while supporting sustainable development at local level.

NaturEUnite reflects ASDO’s continued commitment to sustainable development, community engagement, environmental protection, and European cooperation. By hosting international partners in the Vjosa region, ASDO helped showcase Albania’s potential as a destination for sustainable tourism, cultural exchange, and citizen-led nature protection.

The experience also reinforced the importance of cooperation between municipalities, civil society, local businesses, and citizens in building resilient communities and protecting Europe’s shared natural and cultural heritage.