During our visit to one of the seven schools participating in the “Sunny Schools” initiative in Elbasan(Albania), we witnessed firsthand the benefits of installing photovoltaic panels. The savings generated from reduced electricity bills are being reinvested into the school’s infrastructure, enhancing the educational environment for students and teachers alike.

In collaboration with the Mayor of Elbasan, Gledjan Llatja, we conveyed to the school community our commitment to supplementing their savings with additional funds from the municipal budget. This will amplify the impact of the investment for the “Ptoleme Xhuvani” school.

Andi Dobrushi, Director of the Open Society Foundations | Western Balkans shared, “𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘺 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯”.

“Sunny Schools” initiative has not only facilitated the production of renewable energy valued at 21,000 euros but has also substantially decreased CO2 emissions by 54,100 kg in Elbasan. These figures underscore the significant environmental benefits achievable through sustainable energy projects.

“Sunny School” is a regional initiative led by the Open Society Foundations | Western Balkans, active in 17 municipalities across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

The project’s aim is to develop photovoltaic systems that benefit the community and to create energy communities that are jointly managed by municipalities and schools. This initiative seeks to counteract climate change, enhance community access to the benefits of energy transition, and foster energy democratization.