PROJECT: SUP2LOOP Green Innovation challenge | Unpack the future: Piloting plastic-free solutions
Single-use plastics (SUPs) remain one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, particularly in sectors with high consumption and disposal rates, such as the hospitality and food services industries. Despite growing regulatory pressures and consumer awareness, the transition to circular solutions is slow due to system-level constraints, limited innovation uptake, and a lack of cross-sector collaboration.
Plastic producers and HORECA businesses in Albania are at the heart of this challenge and strategically positioned to lead impactful and circular solutions.
The project aims to drive a systemic reduction of single-use plastics (SUPs) by promoting sustainable alternatives, fostering circular thinking within business practices, and strengthening an innovation ecosystem that aligns with circular economy principles, reduces plastic waste, and unlocks new value chains.
Why SUP matters
Single-use plastics (SUPs) are products made wholly or partly of plastic that are intended to be used only once or for a short period before being discarded. They represent one of the most harmful sources of pollution and add increasingly large amounts of waste to already strained national waste management systems. For this reason, the EU Directive (EU 2019/904) introduced restrictions and bans on some of the most problematic items. The directive specifically bans 10 SUP items: cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, balloon sticks, food containers made of expanded polystyrene, beverage cups and containers of expanded polystyrene, packets and wrappers, and wet wipes/sanitary items. Read more about the directive here.
As Albania progresses toward EU accession, these same rules will soon apply nationally, based on the provisions of the upcoming new law on integrated waste management.
How will this affect Albanian businesses?
Both producers and users of plastic packaging must prepare to adapt. For Albanian businesses, the ban is both a challenge and an opportunity: producers will need to replace existing SUP products with eco-friendly alternatives, while SMEs that use packaging must switch to sustainable solutions to remain compliant. Early movers who invest now in innovation and alternatives will not only meet future regulatory requirements but also gain a competitive edge in Albania’s circular and plastic-free future.
Objectives:
- Drive the systemic reduction of single-use plastics by promoting sustainable alternatives and supporting businesses in the HORECA and plastic production sectors through grant schemes
- Strengthening the innovative ecosystem by providing capacity-building opportunities, implementing sustainable solutions, and contributing to long-term environmental and economic sustainability
Expected Outcomes
- The successful piloting of at least five (5) innovative business solutions for SUP reduction in Albania
- Increased adoption of reusable alternatives within the HORECA sector, among plastic producers and other relevant industries
- Driving a broader shift toward circular economic principles
- Reduction in plastic waste and an increase in waste prevention and reuse practices
- Potentially creation of new green jobs for SUP reduction practices
Grant Expert for supporting business initiatives
Role Description
The Grant Expert will play a role in supporting Milieukontakt throughout the implementation of the granting scheme. This expert will be responsible for facilitating and monitoring the implementation of the grants provided and ensuring the fulfillment of all funding rules and regulations under the “Innovate & reduce: boosting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics in Albania’s HoReCa sector” project. This scheme will support businesses with investments in infrastructure and services to drive a systemic reduction of single-use plastics (SUPs) by promoting sustainable alternatives, fostering circular thinking within business practices, and strengthening an innovation ecosystem.
This role requires a professional with substantial experience in EU-funded projects, business infrastructure development, and project cycle management, capable of working closely with HoReCa and plastic production businesses to ensure effective and transparent grant implementation.
Responsibilitie
The Grant Expert will lead and oversee the following tasks:
- Project Proposal Evaluation & Awarding
- Coordinates the review and selection of the business proposals, ensuring compliance with EU standards and best practices.
- Facilitates the decision-making process with evaluation committees and key stakeholders.
- Capacity Building & Technical Support
- Participate in information sessions and workshops to guide businesses through the application process, funding requirements, and best practices in (infrastructure) project design and implementation.
- Develops guidelines and training materials to enhance businesses’ grant management and reporting capacities.
- Grant Monitoring, Evaluation & Compliance
- Conducts on-site visits and progress assessments to evaluate grant scheme project delivery and compliance.
- Responsible for coordinating with the finance and contract unit of GIZ to ensure compliance and efficient implementation of grants.
Required qualifications, competencies, and experience
Education & Training
- Master’s degree in Public Administration, Economics, law or a related field.
- Specialized knowledge of EU funding mechanisms or project cycle management is highly desirable.
Professional Experience
- At least 5 years of experience working with government institutions or international development organizations.
- At least 3 years of experience in EU-funded projects, infrastructure development, or grant management.
- Strong understanding of GIZ funding rules.
Technical & Soft Skills
- Excellent grant management and project cycle knowledge, from concept development to impact evaluation.
- Ability to assess infrastructure project feasibility, including technical, financial, and regulatory compliance aspects.
- Strong interpersonal skills for stakeholder coordination and technical capacity building.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops, seminars, and capacity-building activities with diverse audiences.
Languages
- Fluency in Albanian and excellent written and spoken English.
Legal requirements to be submitted by the Candidate
The applicant must submit the following documents:
- Updated CV (list of similar experiences – brief description of projects and roles played).
- Technical proposal – including methodology
- Financial Offer (as per attached document)
- Copy of identity document (ID card or passport).
- Certificate of judicial status (e-albania)
- Official Copy of the diploma and work certificates
- Declaration on Honor on Exclusion Criteria and Selection Criteria (according to the attached document)
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following scoring criteria:
| Criteria | Maximum (points) |
| Updated CV+ List of similar experiences | 30 |
| Technical proposal – including methodology | 30 |
| Documents (legal) | 10 |
| Financial offer | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
Contract conditions
Service Expertise
Project office in Tirana
Assignment period: November 2025 – August 2026 (10 working days)
Please submit your application by October 24th, 2025, to Milieukontakt Albania via email at office@milieukontakt.org.
Evaluation of offers
– Best price (technical evaluation price quality)
Notification of the winners
The successful bidder will be notified by email that their bid has been accepted
We are pioneering this initiative through the EU for Circular Economy and Livable Cities project (EU4CELC), co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ Albania in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment (MoE). The EU4CELC project aims to facilitate Albania’s transition to a circular economy, empower municipalities to create livable cities for the future, and contribute to improved citizens’ health, green job creation, and enhanced energy efficiency.
