Rruga me Pisha Foundation logo Rruga me Pisha / Pine Street Foundation Media • Culture • Civic Engagement • Democratic Values

Founded by BBC World Service Trust

Promoting media, culture, civic engagement and democratic values

Rruga me Pisha Foundation is an Albanian non-profit organisation working at the intersection of media, culture, civic engagement, democratic values, public communication and community empowerment in Albania and beyond.

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ACTUAL ONGOING PROJECTS

Current projects, digital revival and online listening access

Rruga me Pisha Foundation is currently advancing a set of ongoing initiatives in media, culture, civic engagement and democratic values, including the digital revival and public online access of the historic Rruga me Pisha radio programmes archive.

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Rruga me Pisha Digital Revival

Digital revival, curation and renewed public access to Albania’s landmark social-educational radio soap opera.

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A proven track record in media, culture and democratic engagement

With over two decades of continuous activity, Rruga me Pisha Foundation has successfully implemented a portfolio exceeding EUR 6.5 million, delivering high-impact interventions in media development, cultural production, civic engagement, democratic governance, and social inclusion across Albania and the Western Balkans.

800+
social and educational radio drama episodes produced and broadcast through Radio Tirana and the BBC World Service, reaching nationwide audiences and fostering public dialogue
40+
large-scale theatre outreach roadshows implemented across the country, promoting civic engagement, community participation and social awareness
150+
professionals engaged across media, performing arts, creative industries, civil society organisations, youth workers, educators, journalists and community facilitators
60+
projects implemented promoting and safeguarding democracy through media literacy, freedom of expression, cultural participation, social cohesion, youth empowerment, and inclusive civic engagement
Multi-donor
Sustained cooperation within multi-donor funding frameworks, including partnerships with international organisations, public institutions, and regional networks

About us

A platform for media, culture, civic participation and community development since 2001

Rruga me Pisha Foundation was established in July 2001 as an Albanian non-profit organisation founded by the BBC World Service Trust. It works under Albanian legislation, is managed by an Albanian team and has developed initiatives in media, culture, civil society, communication and public education.

The foundation serves as a platform for local, national and international cooperation in areas such as media literacy, cultural heritage, creative industries, civic engagement for democratic values, community-based development and institutional capacity building.

Historic radio studio

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What we do

Our areas of work

Media and Public Communication

We design and implement media, communication and public-awareness initiatives that promote informed participation, dialogue, civic engagement and democratic values.

Culture and Creative Industries

We support cultural cooperation, creative industries, audiovisual development and initiatives that strengthen cultural expression and intercultural exchange.

Research, Think Tank and Advocacy

We carry out research, analysis and advocacy on issues related to media, culture, civil society, local development and democratic participation.

Capacity Building and Partnerships

We help organisations, institutions and communities build skills, partnerships and practical capacities for project development and long-term impact.

Portfolio

Selected portfolio 1998–2026

Below is a selected portfolio of media, culture, civic engagement and public communication projects implemented by the foundation from 1998 to 2026.

Workshop Dialogue event Project activity Institutional meeting Public event Archive visual

Rruga me Pisha – Social-Educative Radio Soap Opera 1999–Present

Albania’s first social-educational radio soap opera, with around 800 episodes produced and broadcast over the years on public-interest themes including health, education, corruption, migration, human rights, domestic violence, trafficking, disability, community development and EU integration.

Road Shows Project – Theatre Performances with Social Education Themes 2000–2006

53 theatre road shows implemented across Albania using live performance to address human rights, corruption, trafficking, elections, justice, gender equality and democratic participation.

Audience Development 2003–2005

Workshops and training sessions with high schools in several Albanian cities to promote media literacy, radio and television understanding and creative classrooms.

Human Trafficking – Owning the Problem 2004–2006

Regional capacity-building project delivering professional trainings for journalists and civil society workers from Albania and Serbia on ethical and effective reporting on trafficking in persons.

Radio Talk Shows Project – EU Integration of Albania 2008–2010

Production and broadcast of radio talk shows dedicated to Albania’s EU integration and accession process, combining studio interviews, citizen voices and institutional perspectives.

Out of the Margins 2014–2016

Regional research and policy project on independent culture scenes in South-East Europe, producing a regional study, policy papers and a large database of organisations and art groups.

Local Government Units in Front of Cultural Developments 2017–2019

Research and policy-support action on cultural and creative sectors in Vlora, Saranda and Himara, including field research, debates and long-term cultural strategies.

Transforming the Region – Inspiring Youth Cultural Cooperation 2019–2020

Regional youth dialogue and cultural cooperation initiative implemented with partners from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania.

Social Assistance Modernization Communication Campaign 2020–2024

Communication campaigns in several Albanian regions supporting disability assistance reform through public information materials, brochures, mini-maps, visual communication products and awareness actions.

Rruga me Pisha Digital Revival 2025–2026

Digital revival and online publication of the radio drama archive, introducing the programme to new online audiences through Patreon and other digital channels.

Timeline

Institutional journey

A snapshot of the foundation’s path from the launch of the Albanian radio serial to its current digital revival and broader civic, cultural and communication work.

1998–1999

Launch of the Albanian Radio Serial and start-up support for what became Rruga me Pisha.

1999–Present

Development of Albania’s first social-educational radio soap opera.

2000–2006

National theatre road shows on social education and democratic participation.

2003–2005

Audience development, media literacy and public awareness initiatives.

2004–2006

Anti-trafficking communication and journalist training projects.

2007–2010

TV debates on media legislation and radio programmes on EU integration.

2014–2016

Regional independent culture research and policy work.

2016–2019

Audience research, labour market media studies and local cultural governance projects.

2019–2024

Regional youth cooperation, audiovisual production and public communication campaigns.

2025–2026

Digital revival of the Rruga me Pisha archive for new audiences.

Recognition

Selected international references and public recognition

Rruga me Pisha / Pine Street has been documented in international communication-for-development archives, academic research and public reference sources as a pioneering Albanian social-educational radio drama developed in association with the BBC World Service Trust and Radio Tirana.

Third-party international sources position Rruga me Pisha / Pine Street as one of Albania’s most distinctive public-interest media initiatives of the post-1999 period, developed within a BBC World Service Trust-supported framework and implemented in partnership with Radio Tirana.

International Case Study

Detailed third-party case study on Albania’s pioneering educational radio drama.

Open source

International Communication Archive

Public reference to the programme’s national reach, resonance and debate-generating capacity.

Open source

Academic Reference

Scholarly source on the revival of Albanian radio drama and the Pine Street model.

Open PDF

Leadership

Board of Trustees and Executive Staff

Board of Trustees

Tim Williams (UK)

An international expert in cultural heritage, media and development, Tim Williams has held senior leadership roles at the UK National Commission for UNESCO, including Deputy Chair and Chair. He has also been associated with University College London and UNESCO-related heritage initiatives.

Dail Rrustaun (USA)

Dail Rrustaun brings international experience in social development and child rights, including previous advisory work with UNICEF Albania. His expertise includes policy, institutional strengthening and public-interest development.

Gabriel Partos (UK)

Gabriel Partos is a senior journalist and analyst specialising in South-Eastern Europe. With long-standing experience at the BBC World Service, he has covered major political and social developments across the region and led the Albanian Service.

Ina Aleksi (Albania)

Ina Aleksi contributes regional insight and community engagement experience from Southern Albania, supporting the Foundation’s outreach, local partnerships and public-interest initiatives.

Remzi Lani (Albania)

Remzi Lani is Director of the Albanian Media Institute and a respected journalist and media development expert. He brings extensive experience in journalism, media policy, democratic governance and freedom of expression in Albania and the Western Balkans.

Executive Staff

Arben Papadhopulli (Albania) – General Director

Arben Papadhopulli is an experienced media, culture and project management professional with a long-standing background in public communication, civil society and international cooperation. Since April 2001, he has served as General Director of Rruga me Pisha Foundation.

Irini Maria – Programme and Project Coordinator

Irini Maria contributes to the design, coordination and implementation of the Foundation’s media, cultural and development initiatives. She supports institutional communication, partnership coordination, project delivery and organisational development.

Aleksander Gipp – New Technologies and Creative Industries Specialist

Aleksander Gipp works at the intersection of new technologies and the creative industries, bringing expertise in digital innovation, creative-sector development and the application of emerging technologies in culture, media and communication.

Aida Gega – Financial Manager

Aida Gega oversees the Foundation’s financial management, including budgeting, financial control, reporting and administrative follow-up. She supports the sound, transparent and accountable management of the Foundation’s organisational and project resources.

Donors & Partners

Supported by major international donors and trusted partners

Over the years, the Foundation has been supported by major donors and has worked with a broad network of broadcasters, journalism organisations, public institutions, civil society groups and youth organisations.

Donors

BBC World Service Trust
Radio Tirana / RTSH
European Union
Council of Europe
UNHCR
OSCE
UNICEF
UNDP
USAID
SIDA
SDC
World Bank
Soros Foundation

Partners

BBC World Service Trust
Radio Tirana / RTSH
Union of Independent Journalists of Albania
Center for Broadcast Journalism, Belgrade
Dutch School of Journalism
Creative Europe Desk Albania
Association of Municipalities
Civil Society Groups
Youth Organisations

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