Support to women in Albania

Agriculture remains an important pillar of the Albanian economy, accounting for nearly 20% of the country’s GDP and over a third of its workforce. Yet, many farmers struggle to invest in modern equipment and to improve their practices due to limited access to finance and training. This is particularly true for women, who make up 40% of the agricultural workforce but often face additional barriers to access resources, knowledge and opportunities.

To address this challenge, the CEB has partnered with the Slovak Republic and FED Invest, a non-profit financial cooperative focussed on financial inclusion and poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas. In 2025, the CEB approved a €10 million loan to support FED Invest’s microfinance activities, with a particular focus on women entrepreneurs and rural populations.

Additionally, the Slovak Republic is funding technical assistance – including technical training, farm demonstrations, and financial education workshops – for approximately 1 000 existing or potential borrowers of FED Invest, especially women. The support, which is financed by the Slovak Inclusive Growth Account, is intended to promote sustainable farming practices and improve financial literacy.

To learn more about Esmeralda and the impact of the Slovak support, watch this video:

Support to women in Albania

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