About Us - ACEPSD

Marine Conservation
We aim to protect marine biodiversity through targeted conservation efforts, ensuring the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems.
Fisheries Management
Our organization focuses on sustainable fisheries management practices to balance economic needs with ecological preservation, promoting responsible fishing.
Innovative Aquaculture
We advocate for advanced aquaculture technologies to enhance food security while minimizing environmental impact, fostering sustainable seafood production.
Meet Our Experts
A dedicated team of professionals committed to environmental stewardship.
Prof. Rigers Bakiu
Prof. Rigers Bakiu is a renowned environmental scientist with over two decades of experience in marine conservation. His research has significantly influenced policies aimed at protecting marine ecosystems, making him a pivotal figure in sustainable development efforts. Passionate about educating future generations, he also plays an active role in community outreach programs. In addition to his academic endeavors, Prof. Bakiu collaborates with international organizations to advance marine biodiversity initiatives, ensuring that scientific findings translate into actionable strategies for conservation. His commitment to fostering partnerships is essential in building a sustainable future for our oceans.
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Contracted Experts
Our team of contracted experts brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in various fields related to environmental protection and sustainable development. They collaborate closely with us to implement innovative solutions in marine conservation and fisheries management, ensuring that our projects reflect the latest research and best practices in sustainability.
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Ms. Silvia Durmishaj Bakiu
Ms. Silvia Durmishaj Bakiu is the Executive Director of ACEPSD. She supports the initiatives with a vision for sustainable marine ecosystems and community engagement.
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Gender Equality Plan
The Albanian Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (ACEPSD) is firmly committed to promoting gender equality, inclusiveness, and non-discrimination across all its activities, organizational structures, and partnerships. Gender equality is recognized as a fundamental human right and as a key driver of sustainable development, environmental governance, and scientific excellence.
1. Strategic Commitment
ACEPSD integrates gender equality as a cross-cutting principle in its governance, research, project implementation, and community engagement. The organization ensures that women and men have equal opportunities, responsibilities, and access to decision-making, employment, and professional development.
2. Organizational Structure and Leadership
ACEPSD applies transparent and merit-based recruitment and promotion procedures to ensure balanced gender representation in leadership, management, and project coordination roles. Gender balance is actively encouraged in:
Board and management bodies
Project leadership teams
Scientific and technical expert groups
Where imbalances exist, ACEPSD applies positive action measures to promote fair representation.
3. Gender-Sensitive Human Resources Policies
ACEPSD ensures:
Equal pay for equal work
Non-discriminatory recruitment and evaluation
Family-friendly and flexible working arrangements
Protection against harassment and gender-based discrimination
All staff and collaborators operate under a Code of Ethics that includes explicit provisions on gender equality and respect.
4. Gender in Research, Innovation and Projects
ACEPSD integrates a gender perspective into the design, implementation, and evaluation of environmental, blue economy, climate, and biodiversity projects. This includes:
Ensuring balanced participation of women and men in research teams and stakeholder consultations
Promoting women’s leadership in science, marine conservation, and environmental governance
Collecting and analyzing gender-disaggregated data when relevant
Special attention is given to the role of women in coastal communities, aquaculture, fisheries, and environmental management.
5. Capacity Building and Awareness
ACEPSD promotes awareness and capacity building on gender equality through:
Training sessions for staff and project partners
Gender-sensitive communication and outreach
Inclusion of gender topics in workshops and stakeholder dialogues
6. Monitoring and Accountability
The implementation of the Gender Equality Plan is monitored through:
Periodic internal reviews
Gender-disaggregated reporting in projects
Feedback mechanisms for staff and stakeholders
Results are used to improve policies and ensure continuous progress toward equality.
Gender Equality Plan Document
Our Achievements
Quantifiable results of our dedication to environmental protection.

Biodiversity Growth
Our conservation projects have led to a 30% increase in marine biodiversity in targeted regions over the past five years.
Sustainable Fisheries
Collaborative initiatives have resulted in a 25% reduction in overfishing practices, promoting healthier fish populations.
Community Engagement
Through educational programs and workshops, we have engaged over 10,000 community members in sustainable practices and marine awareness.
Innovative Technologies
Our implementation of advanced aquaculture techniques has increased production efficiency by 40%, setting new standards for sustainability in the industry.