#GO2Innovation

A consistent mission of GO2: #supporting various enterprises of Shkoder Region ... reaching #entrepreneurs in Pukë and Fushë-Arrëz, was rapidly empowered through #GO2Innovation Centre.
#GO2Innovation adapted to the pandemic new conditions, engaging through virtual spaces.
Thus, as of April 6, 2020 #GO2Innovation launched a series of online meetings with tourism and agribusiness enterprises.
At a record period of time, 60 #entrepreneurs applied to the open call, 47% of whom were women.
Nearly 50% of the them were from remote areas.
36% of applications were start-ups.
Around 29% of them were under the age of 30.
Each of these were interviewed by a jury, while individual meetings were held with 50 of them to match the needs of enterprises with the services provided by #GO2Innovation.
The jury consisted of the experts: Alda Dhamo, Gojart Smaja, Pezana Rexha, Xaira Kastrati, & Shkelzen Marku.
Xaira Kastrati and Sonila Hasaj offered their expertise in Financial Consultancy, during which 22 entrepreneurs were intensively engaged.
Legal Consultancy was another service offered online by the lawyer Gedeon Dudushi.
During ongoing lockdown, #GO2Innovation began the online services.
Lead by the Israeli expert Noam Gressel, #CleanTech #Consultancy was among the most exclusive #services.
Online mentoring was provided for entrepreneurs who could not be present in the aula.
Meanwhile, online/offline business #marketing consultancy sessions were held.
Moreover, intensive #mentoring sessions were provided in the aulas, through one-to-one meetings, where 23 entrepreneurs from different areas and 2 students were #mentored during 5 weeks.
Continuous discussions with mentors was a common practice at #GO2Innovation.
The young artist Jona Xhepa was one of the entrepreneurs performing for the 5 mentors: Shkelzen Marku, Jasmina Lumanaj, Ivo Krug, Mireda Thana & Pezana Rexha.
Agribusiness consists of 15% of enterprises supported by #GO2Innovation, so 23 #entrepreneurs from 7 businesses joined in the study trip to 10 farms, led by the agronomist Zef Gjeta: Vineyards of Kantina Kopliku, Jak Pacani’s Beekeeping, Agroturizëm Shega Orchard, Olive groves in Zadrima, Salvia Nord - Medicinal and Aromatic Plants farm, Greenhouses of rucola at Hilmi Zeneli, Is’hak Bajrami’ vegetable and chokeberry farm, Kiwi yards of Mujo Toka, the Factory of Anchovies in Shelqet, and Rapsodia dairy.
In the Gourmet Cuisine Masterclass with Chef Alfred Marku and Traditional Cuisine Masterclass with Dhurata Thanasi, 8 enterprises and 11 students participated. There were 35 recipes prepared with local ingredients brought by the entrepreneurs from their respective regions.
For the first time, this sound is echoed in the #Vocational School "Hamdi Bushati". It is the sound of the loom donated by #GO2Innovation to the Textile Lab. The “Art Dore Atelier” #Workshop combined design and handicrafts in 6 techniques. Two groups of 16 and 19 students made 29 products during these workshops led by Mimi Memiaj and Meliha Zyberaj.
Elton Noti and Arben Çiço were the two experts engaged for the training on the quality of services in tourism. 16 participants from 6 businesses working in this sector were trained in the aula and in the working environments: Hostel Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, Vila Bekteshi restaurant, and Hotel Promenade.
Students are a great potential for #entrepreneurship, which is why the #Startups Workshop had so much dynamism and energy.
These wonderful fields of lavender, helichrysum and sage are located in Koplik i Sipërm, Malësi e Madhe.
#GO2Innovation team shot the #promotional spot for Salvia Nord farm. The same team of almost 10 people was engaged in the production of 3 promotional videos for one of the successful #businesses - Vila Bekteshi restaurant.
To promote the work of #GO2Innovation, a family tour was organized with journalists from Albania & Kosovo.
During this trip entitled "Shkodra e Fshehtë" the participants, including tour operators, visited 17 tourist attractions, archaeological sites, natural parks and protected areas, as well as enterprises supported by #GO2Innovation.
Since its kick-off in 2020, #GO2Innovation has provided 16 services for 63 enterprises represented by around 100 employees. These services were also provided for 60 students.
30 experts from different fields of #expertise were engaged, as well as 9 professionals as the working team of #GO2Innovation.
16 #enterprises were assisted in #fundraising.
#GO2Innovation engaged a total of around 350 people during its first year.
#GO2Innovation is an Innovation Centre for Tourism and Agribusiness in Shkoder Region. It is led by the Sustainable Urban Planning Organization #GO2 with the partnership of Vocational School "Hamdi Bushati" and the Municipality of Vau Dejes.
#GO2Innovation is supported by the #ChallengeFund program, funded by the European Union through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency SIDA and the German Corporation for International Cooperation GIZ.