Facilities encompasses a range of general services on the Tirana Campus, as well as general maintenance and relevant information for all buildings and residences across the campus.
This is the first College of Europe campus located in the capital, with buildings dispersed across the area. The campus includes the Dormitory, Freedom Building and the Representation Office.
The Freedom Building, as it is known today, forms an integral part of the Campus of the University of Tirana, an institution founded in 1957. However, the roots of higher education in Albania stretch back even further, to 1946, when the first Higher Pedagogical Institute was established, followed by the founding of the Institute of Sciences in 1947.
In 1991, amidst the political and economic turmoil that gripped Albania, this building became the focal point of student resistance. In response to the country's oppressive regime, hundreds of students initiated a hunger strike, which soon sparked widespread protests that played a pivotal role in the downfall of communism in Albania.
Today, the Freedom Building continues its legacy as part of the College of Europe Tirana Campus, serving as a reminder of the institution's rich history and its crucial role in shaping the intellectual and political landscape of modern Albania.
The Residences on the Tirana Campus, a long-standing student residence, have recently undergone significant renovation and were officially inaugurated. This revitalization project represents a joint investment by the German Government through KFW and the European Union, facilitated by the Investment Instrument for the Western Balkans, which was launched three years ago. The renovation aims to enhance the living conditions for over 3,000 students in Tirana, building on its historical role as a key facility for student housing.
Dormitory No. 14 now comprises 43 rooms, 3 student areas, 9 offices, 1 meeting room, a library, 3 storage rooms, and 11 leisure spaces (including a gym, TV room, music room, and chill room).The facility is powered predominantly by renewable energy, in line with modern sustainability goals. Having long served as a hub of student life, this building now functions as the residence for the College of Europe, Tirana Campus.
The Representation Office is housed within the Pyramid of Tirana, an iconic structure originally built in the 1980s as a museum dedicated to the regime of the time. Designed to honour the dictator, it stood as a symbol of the era. However, after the fall of communism, the building was abandoned and left to deteriorate. Yet, over time, through the support of EU project funds, it was granted a new life.
The Pyramid, once a symbol of an oppressive past, is now undergoing a remarkable transformation, guided by the world-renowned architectural studio MVRDV. This extraordinary revival preserves the iconic concrete structure while reimagining it for a new, forward-thinking purpose: to foster development, collaboration, and creativity in the fields of technology and innovation.
The building has evolved into a dynamic hub, complete with a "village" of studios, workshops, classrooms, and cafes, inviting the public to engage with one another and collaborate on shared interests. The Pyramid's revival marks a new chapter in its history, where it will serve as a vibrant centre of innovation, creativity, and collaboration and as the home to the Representation Office.
Students have access to the College's dedicated library, located on the ground floor of the student residence. The library offers a quiet and comfortable environment for study and research, along with a growing collection of books, journals, and digital resources in the fields of European affairs, law, economics, political science, and related disciplines.
The long-term vision involves relocating the library to the Europa Building, which is currently under construction at the Student City Campus. This progressive development reflects our commitment to creating a dynamic academic environment.
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