NGO · Founded 2015 · Tirana

Expertise for skills, enterprise and institutional growth.

CEI is an Albanian centre of experts, trainers, researchers and innovators working with organisations, public institutions and communities to improve performance, build professional capacities and implement development-oriented projects.

Explore expertise

Innovate for better

2015Founded as a non-governmental organisation

3Primary fields: training, consulting, institutions

8Defined service lines from education to research

16+Documented projects with donors and institutions

Positioning

Built to connect knowledge, policy and practical innovation.

Mission. CEI’s mission is to continuously innovate for better. The organisation provides performance support and learning resources through innovative approaches, superior industry knowledge and expert skills.

Vision. CEI aims to transform Albania’s skills and professional market by responding to shortages across industries and by helping regulate the mismatch between skills supply and market demand.

Purpose. CEI identifies and addresses economic and social issues linked to Albania’s development, stronger economic performance and the use of technological advancement for welfare improvement.

Expertise

Focused expertise for organisations that need to adapt, grow and perform.

CEI’s capabilities are structured around practical services for institutions, companies, educators, professionals and development partners.

Education & Training

Support for institutions and educators to develop innovative ways of teaching the workforce skills demanded by the market.

Capacity Building

Organisational development, management structures, procedures and inter-organisational coordination.

Project Ideation & Implementation

Project concept design, writing and implementation for donors, international organisations and public-sector partners.

Institutional Development

Techniques and advisory support that improve institutional performance, efficiency and productivity.

Market Analysis & Studies

Business and sectoral analysis that identifies, optimises and activates opportunities for growth.

Architecture & Urban Planning

Expertise in spaces, urban quality and society-oriented planning, supported by international project experience.

Research & Statistical Analysis

Research and analytical solutions for complex processes, focused on understanding both numbers and their meaning.

Management & Innovation

Private-sector and SME development in entrepreneurship, innovation, digital adaptation and leadership transformation.

Market groups

CEI operates where skills, organisational performance and public value intersect.

Training & Education

Professional training, soft skills, leadership, innovation, project management, digital learning and accredited e-learning content.

Corporate Consulting

Tailored solutions for organisations that need stronger performance, better management practice and competitive advantage.

Government Institutions

Policy papers, sector studies, institutional support, capacity building and development projects aligned with public priorities.

Training methodology

Designed for practical learning, not passive attendance.

CEI’s training model combines academic excellence, updated theory, market insight and experiential learning. The method is participative, structured and oriented toward application.

View framework Training modules

Framework

From motivation to application: CEI structures learning as a complete experience.

The Experience Pyramid Model adapted for CEI training design

This illustration reflects the brochure’s Experience Pyramid reference: individuality, authenticity, story, multi-sensory perception, contrast and interaction are treated as design elements that lead participants through motivational, physical, intellectual, emotional and mental engagement.

Evidence-informed design

Training content is built from academic theory, top-tier findings and continuous updates from market practice.

Participant engagement

Sessions use expositive, applicative and collaborative methods to keep participants active and accountable.

Practical transfer

The training is designed to show how to solve real problems and then give participants space to apply the principle themselves.

Experiential tools

Storytelling, demonstrations, role plays, simulations, gamification and peer tutoring support learning-by-doing.

Motivation and confidence

Motivational sessions help participants find the drive, confidence and desire needed to perform the required task.

Enjoyable repetition

CEI treats entertainment and positive experience as learning drivers because enjoyable sessions increase willingness to repeat and retain learning.

Method in practice

Training sessions are built to move from attention to capability.

CEI’s approach turns information into knowledge by designing sessions that motivate participants, demonstrate solutions, make the process applicable, and keep the experience engaging enough to reinforce repetition.

MentalInsight

EmotionalCommitment

IntellectualUnderstanding

PhysicalPractice

MotivationalDrive

Training areas

Core modules for professional development and organisational performance.

Public Speaking

Presentation structure
Persuasive communication
Media communication and pitching
Body language and visual aids

Negotiations

Negotiation strategy
Negotiating styles
Tactics and dispute prevention
Planning and practice exercises

Marketing

Customer segmentation
Consumer decision-making
Pricing and channels
Marketing metrics

Accounting

Book-keeping
IFRS and IPSAS standards
Internal audit and compliance
Tax and IT advisory

Communication & Teamwork

Facilitation techniques
Team input and decision-making
Conflict management
Presentation delivery

HR Management

Recruitment and onboarding
Performance management
Compensation
Employee motivation

Innovation & Design Thinking

MIT innovation model
Creativity tools
Design thinking
Idea-to-prototype process

Leadership

Leadership styles
Decision-making
Collaborative teams
Change initiatives

Project Management

Project initiation
Planning and timeframes
Costing
Risk management

Projects

Chronological project portfolio.

CEI’s project experience covers youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, tourism, culture, digital learning, policy analysis, water reform, media events, architecture and cross-border cooperation.

Newest to oldest

Full project information

Jun 2026 – Feb 2027

EU Youth Bootcamp Albania: Empowering Young People for Participation, Skills and Employment

Funded by Civil Society Support Agency

CEI will contribute by economically empowering young people and promoting active participation, employability, skills development and access to innovation-driven opportunities in Albania. Through its pool of experts, CEI will deliver practical training and mentoring focused on youth participation, career readiness, entrepreneurship, tourism, agribusiness and innovative practices, preparing young people—especially young women and marginalised groups—to respond to Albania’s key economic sectors and become active contributors to local development and employment growth.

Aug 2025 – Jan 2026

European Approach Skill-Tank – Tourism, Agro and Innovation

Funded by Civil Society Support Agency

CEI works to economically empower and promote employment and innovation opportunities among youth, young women and marginalised communities in Albania, with focus on tourism, agribusiness and innovative practices. CEI’s pool of experts trains young participants in tourism and agro-innovation to prepare them for Albania’s key economic drivers and field-level innovation challenges.

Aug 2024 – Jan 2025

Future Talent Bootcamp

Funded by Civil Society Support Agency

The bootcamp empowers young people with entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, while using collective action to promote emerging talent in arts and cultural heritage. Through workshops, mentoring and hands-on projects, participants develop innovative solutions that support cultural appreciation, economic growth and community engagement.

Jan – Apr 2022

Evaluation of the Impact of the Removal of Certain Barriers in the Tourism Sector — SANECA

Contractor: German Development Cooperation · Funded by GIZ

At the request of the Ministry of Finance of Albania and commissioned by GIZ, CEI prepared a policy paper supporting accession negotiations on economic chapters of the EU acquis. The work evaluated the impact of removing trade barriers in the tourism industry and aligning Albania’s internal market with the EU market.

Apr – Jun 2021

In Our Home — Albanian Pavilion in Venice Biennale of Architecture XVII Edition

Funded by Municipality of Tirana

CEI contributed through a team of architects, urban planners and designers who ideated, created, curated and implemented the project representing Albania in one of the most prestigious architecture events. The project connected cultural roots, tradition and planning to represent Albanian values internationally.

Mar – May 2021

Study, Report Data & Information on Albania’s Tourism Sector and the Impact of COVID-19

Contractor: German Development Cooperation · Funded by GIZ

At the request of the Ministry of Finance and commissioned by GIZ, CEI prepared a policy paper on tourism and the COVID-19 impact. CEI developed the assessment methodology, analysed sectoral and structural developments, assessed tourism operators across Albania and delivered short-, mid- and long-term policy and strategy recommendations.

Mar 2021

The Regional Media Conference 2021 — Western Balkan 6

Contractor: Albanian Helsinki Committee · Funded by AHC

CEI provided infrastructure and technical expertise for a virtual international conference of around 100 participants from six Western Balkan countries. Work included online registration, web resources, virtual conferencing, participant correspondence, parallel panel preparation, reminders, follow-up messaging and real-time event supervision.

Dec 2020 – Feb 2021

InClust — Local Clusters & Social Enterprises Incubators in Culture, Tourism and Folk Tradition

Funded by Municipality of Korça and EU

CEI supported cultural entrepreneurship and business competitiveness through trainings for organisations and individuals, market condition assessment, cluster and incubator development, cooperation environment building, cross-border tourism market support and marketing insight.

Dec 2020 – Jan 2021

Interreg IPA CBC Italy–Albania–Montenegro 2014–2020 / 3C4SME

Funded by EU

CEI provided external expertise for drafting a white paper on the legal framework for credit guarantee schemes in Albania, including preliminary versions of draft legal and sub-legal acts needed to enable guarantee cooperatives to operate in Albania.

Sept 2020

International Symposium on Durrës Earthquakes and Eurocodes — ISDEE

Contractor: Polytechnic University of Tirana · Funded by EU

CEI provided external technical expertise for a virtual international symposium with around 200 participants. Activities included invitations, registration, participant correspondence, agenda updates, parallel panel preparation, reminders, follow-up communication and real-time event supervision.

Aug – Oct 2018

Water Supply and Sanitation Aggregation Action Plan

Funded by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in Albania, PERFORM

CEI assembled senior researchers with over 15 years of experience to prepare an aggregation action plan for National Water Reform. The feasibility study identified water supply entities for aggregation, defined an action plan and managerial strategy, and identified two pilot areas for a national aggregation process based on world standards and best practices.

Jan – Dec 2018

Strengthening Soft Skills and Capacities for Health Care Professionals and Central/Local Authorities

Funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

CEI developed and delivered training modules in business writing, communication, public speaking, teamwork, meeting facilitation and managerial skills. Trainings were delivered in Tirana and nationwide, including Fier, Lushnje, Peshkopi, Dibër and Burrel, with a fully deployed training team and equipment.

Sept 2017 – Aug 2018

Development of Digital Content for Tourism & Hospitality and ICT Directions

Funded by SwissContact

CEI created academically certified digital content for VET schools in Albania, inspired by models such as Khan Academy, edX and Coursera. Work included curricula, theoretical OER-based material, instructional design, lesson plans, practical exercises, assessments, video explainers, recorded tutorials, LMS facilitation and teacher/student training.

2017

Piloting Blended Learning and Virtual Learning Platforms

Vlorë, Lezhë, Berat · Funded by SwissContact

CEI designed and implemented a pilot introducing blended learning methods, virtual learning platforms and digital tools to teachers and students in professional high schools. The aim was to introduce both platforms and methodology, raise awareness and evaluate the process for future scale-up.

2016

An Integrated Approach for Promoting Cross-Border Business Development

Through Fan S. Noli University, Korçë · Funded by EU

CEI developed an online tool called Joint Digital Mass Media to provide news, articles and relevant information to the cross-border business community. The multilingual platform supported dissemination of news, public opinion, events, business announcements and public service information.

2016

Entrepreneurial Farmers Union

Funded by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation

CEI prepared the Entrepreneurial Farmer’s Initiative to examine whether agricultural cooperatives in Albania are feasible. The work addressed untapped economic growth, inefficient production, investment needs, land and employment implications, and cooperatives as a tool for farmer organisation and representation.

2016

E-courses for BioMass Application and Research

Funded by EU

Within an EU pre-accession project implemented by the University of Korça, CEI developed a platform for cross-border and partner communication, documented developments, drafted findings for future research and academic purposes, and created e-courses and a learning module based on the draft findings report.

2015

Drafting Guidelines on Strategic Plans for Intermodal Mobility Solutions and Pilot Actions Results

Funded by EU and MOTI Albania

The broader EU IPA project included 11 partner states and organisations focused on transport solutions. CEI drafted guidelines for the intermodal mobility main plan after member countries produced recommendations, and published the book in several languages.

2014 – 2020

Innovate Your Way Out

Funded by CEI

This CEI initiative embedded the foundations of innovation and business creation among Albanian youth. Its methodology focused on three pillars — Market, Implementation and Technology — enabling students to build each construct and combine them into an innovative idea through the incubation period.

Contact

Start with a clear needs assessment.

CEI works with organisations, public institutions, development partners and professionals that need training, research, project implementation, market studies or institutional development support.

Centre for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Founded in 2015, CEI provides high-quality performance support and learning resources through innovative approaches, industry knowledge and expert skills.

www.cei.al info@cei.al / qendracei@gmail.com +355 69 20 92 960 Rr. Elbasanit, 9/2/4, Tirana, Albania NUIS: L51803451F

What to contact CEI for

Training needs assessment, corporate training, professional development, public-sector capacity building, project writing and implementation, policy papers, market studies, statistical analysis, innovation support and institutional development.

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