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Essenti

Basic information

Project Title

Essenti

Full project title

Essenti Concept Store

Category

Reconnecting with nature

Project Description

123

Geographical Scope

National

Project Region

Albania

Urban or rural issues

Mainly rural

Physical or other transformations

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

EU Programme or fund

No

Description of the project

Summary

Essenti aims to provide a better quality of life to rural women ,mostly in Kruja region , the historical city of our national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu ! To empower them by accommodating their needs and providing a merit based salary and not a minimum wage .As women in rural areas also have their right to have power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home, this action can not be completed if they are not paid as per their worth . That's why I have created some biological products from our land in Kruja , essential oils and its products so that we can sell them in Albania , Western Balkan and our main goal is Europe . We, the women of Essenti plant Lavender ,Salvia and other medical herbs , in my land in Kruja ,we take care of every step along the year so that our product is at its best shape and totally biological , no toxins or GMO . Soon ,December 2023 , we will have our first concept Store in Tirana , and some lovely sets of wellness and wellbeing products .Our concept store will be the first ever in Albania and Western Balkan as well , it will only contribute to a better quality of life for its employees (by providing merit based salaries ,and not minimum ones ) & by hearing their stories and empower the women of my heart but also a better quality of life with using lavender and other medical herbs to its customers ,especially women aged 25-75 that take care for themselves, their families and friends, to have the possibility to buy 100%biological products from land to their hands .

Key objectives for sustainability

We have created community gardens to water conservation projects as our main goal since day 1 has been to make a difference and to embrace sustainable practices.
We promote local medical herbs production and strengthen community bonds through urban and rural farming. Also we have install rainwater harvesting systems to collect and store rainwater for non potable purpose, as watering the fields. This inciative reduces the demand for freshwater and eases the strain on municipal water supplies.

Key objectives for aesthetics and quality

Aesthetics is where we belong . The concept store will be one of the main attractions for people in Albania and tourists from all over the world . The concept store is located in the main heart of Tirana's City Center so easily reached by customers and tourists . When someone will enter in this store will feel the power of nature , their eyes will see the beautiful purple of lavender and their nose will smell its magnificent aroma . It will be a place for women to relax , to find what they need for their wellbeing and especially for people that suffer from insomnia .As one in ten adults in Europe have chronic insomnia, which is characterised by frequent and persistent difficulties . Biological Lavender & its products will be the main source of nature to help solve these problems .

Key objectives for inclusion

We work to highlight and remove bias
Recognise awareness, cultural, and religious holidays in all our team...
Diversity and inclusion training for employees (90%women)
Have clear diversity and inclusivity policies
Ensure equal pay for equal work, Merita based salary, not rural min salary!!

How Citizens benefit

Our products help to relieve muscles, to clean skin from impurities, feed skin with magnesium, directly uplift mood, and improve the quality of sleep, therefore improve quality of life. That's why society will benefit from using 100%pure and clean from toxins products.

Physical or other transformations

It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)

Innovative character

Products themselves are innovative, and by being so they do facilitate our life.

Disciplines/knowledge reflected

Farmers to help us and to show us in which part of the land would be more beneficial for us to cultivate these medical herbs.
Architects to help us with Essenti concept store

Methodology used

We have used the lean startup methodology ,which is a method of managing and building a business or startup by experimenting, testing, and iterating while developing products based on findings from your tests and feedback.

How stakeholders are engaged

This project was supported by Albanian Government and directly by prime minister Mr. Edi Rama and we won a grant of nearly €10000 to make our dream a reality.
Later we have also been supported from German Embassy in Tirana and Giz. De for the Coronavirus difficult time.

Global challenges

1.Poverty
2.Climate change
3.Food Insecurities
4.Mental Health
5.Geder Equality
Also we are keen to help the world achieve by 2030 Sustainable Development Goals ,especially
1.No Poverty
2.Zero Hunger
3.Good Health and well being
5.Gender Equality
15.Life on Land

Learning transferred to other parties

Products can be sold in Europe and wider .
Technology can be more innovative but is very costy.

Keywords

Sustainability
Women Empowerment
Nature
Sleep
Well Being

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