In the framework of 2025 grant program, the Albanian Besa Capital (ABC) Foundation has made a significant contribution to promoting and empowering women’s entrepreneurship focused on social business, by supporting projects that directly impact the improvement of women's social and economic status in Albania.

One of the winning projects in this field is “ART TOURISM”, which is being implemented in Kukës region by the National Association for Integration, Development, and Support for Vulnerable Groups “SH.K.I.ZH.” This project aims to train and empower 15 women artisans from the municipalities of Kukës, Has, and Tropoja, helping them transform traditional craftsmanship into a sustainable source of income and a tool for self-employment.

The importance of ABC’s support:
The financial support provided by the ABC Foundation for this project represents not only an investment in women’s capacities but also a sustainable strategy for developing the social economy in some of the most marginalized areas of the country. Through this support:

• The role of women as active social entrepreneurs is strengthened;
• Albanian cultural and artisanal heritage is promoted and preserved;
• The development of artisanal tourism is encouraged as part of a sustainable local economy.

Project impact:
The women participating in the implementation of the project gain new professional skills in the field of craftsmanship, enhance their management and business entrepreneurship abilities, boost self-confidence, build cooperative networks, and break free from economic isolation. The local community benefits from the revitalization of artisanal traditions, while tourists enrich their cultural experience in the region. This project serves as a model for increasing women’s economic independence through alternative development forms, aligned with the strategic priorities of the Albanian Besa Capital Foundation.