An office for green political education
At hbs Tirana, we approach political education as something lived, shared, and collectively shaped. As an office for green political education, our goal is to explore alternative ways of living and organizing society, inform people about green policy options, and imagine pathways toward meaningful socio-ecological transformation.
We believe the way forward is rooted in community, collaboration, and care and that progress is only meaningful when it reflects the needs and perspectives of local communities. For us, political education is not limited to classrooms or institutions. It can emerge through artistic initiatives, public discussion, shared spaces, collaborative learning, or everyday encounters.
Our approaches
Our work is built around three interconnected approaches: political education through arts and culture, brokerage of knowledge, and building communities of communities.
Political education through arts & culture
We see art as a transformative force that encourages individuals to question dominant narratives, explore alternative perspectives, and rethink social and political realities. Through artistic interventions, film, dance, publishing practices, exhibitions, and public programs, we create formats that foster reflection, dialogue, and critical engagement, allowing audiences to connect with complex issues both intellectually and emotionally. Art also plays an important role in reclaiming public space, turning shared environments into platforms for expression, encounter, and participation. By bringing creativity into everyday spaces, we challenge the idea that public spaces are purely functional or commercial, encouraging collective initiatives and social participation.
Brokerage of knowledge
A big part of our work is connecting ideas, experiences, and people across different contexts. We bring together activists, researchers, artists, organizations, and communities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another. Through networking opportunities, international exchanges, and collaborative projects, we help progressive ideas, green policy approaches, and experiences from different contexts find resonance locally, while also creating space for local experiences and struggles to enter wider conversations beyond Albania. By creating spaces, offering infrastructure, and sharing resources, we aim to strengthen progressive actors both conceptually and organizationally, contributing to a stronger culture of democratic participation and collective action.
Community of communities
We believe social change grows through relationships, trust, and long-term collaboration. That is why we invest in creating spaces where different communities, initiatives, and movements can meet, exchange experiences, and build connections. We see communal infrastructures as an essential part of political and social life. Through shared spaces, temporary public structures, and mobile cultural formats, we aim to create environments where people can come together safely, develop ideas, and imagine alternatives collectively. In doing so, we hope to strengthen solidarity, encourage participation, and support more inclusive and democratic forms of public life.
Across all these directions, we focus on offering infrastructure, resources, and capacities that support collective learning and engagement. By doing so, we hope to nurture spaces where solidarity, critical thinking, and collective imagination can grow.
Living our Values: A Green Office in Action
At hbs Tirana, we like to call ourselves a green office, not just because we represent a green political foundation, but because we truly live by those values. We constantly rethink the way we work to reduce waste, minimize our impact, and make more sustainable choices. One of the simplest yet most effective changes we’ve made is ditching single-use plastics. The same mindset applies to the way we handle food. Our catering menus include locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and we prioritize vegetarian and ready-made dishes to cut down on unnecessary packaging. If there’s extra food, we encourage takeaways in carefully chosen eco-friendly containers. We also rethink visibility materials: Everything we produce, whether it’s notebooks, calendars, or flyers, is designed with both aesthetics and impact in mind. We use RISO printing, an eco-friendly method that relies on soy-based ink and consumes less energy. Our printed materials are made from recycled paper, and we’re always looking for ways to reuse test prints and leftover materials, embracing imperfections as part of the creative process. For us, being a green office isn’t just about policies—it’s about thoughtful, everyday choices that can add up to meaningful change.