Albania Economia
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Leaving home is never easy. But for many young Albanians, it’s the first step toward a new beginning. Aurrel Kondi’s journey from Tirana to Berlin is a story of courage, reinvention, and a deep-rooted commitment to community. In Berlin, he not only built a career in digital marketing and real estate, but also became a voice for Albanian professionals abroad through his leadership in the “Ilyrian Brains” network.
In this conversation, Aurrel shares his early challenges, his success story, and how he and others like him are building bridges between Albania and its diaspora.
How did your story start? What motivated you to leave Albania, and how did you manage to build your career in Berlin?
Leaving my homeland, my family, and my friends was far from easy. But I had a dream to grow and build my life in a European city. So, in March 2018, I left Albania and started a new chapter in Berlin.
The beginning was undoubtedly challenging. Adapting to a new culture, facing the language barrier, and dealing with the cold weather all required patience, resilience, and a strong will. But with time, each day became a bit easier. Berlin started to feel like home precisely because those struggles helped shape me into the person I am today.
Before moving to Germany, I had completed my Bachelor’s degree in Business Informatics (Business Management), which gave me a solid foundation for the career I wanted to pursue. Still, my professional path wasn’t linear. In a competitive job market, and with the language being a major barrier, it was difficult to find a role in my field right away. After working in various jobs, I eventually broke into the tech industry as a software engineer. But over time, I realized my true strengths were more aligned with communication, creativity, and working with people than with programming.
Today, I focus on digital marketing and the real estate industry two areas where I combine strategy and creativity. Alongside that, I’ve been growing as a digital creator, sharing my passion for classic fashion and lifestyle on social media.
Tell us about “Ilyrian Brains”, especially the chapter you lead in Berlin. What upcoming projects are you working on? What is the mission of the network, and what kind of impact does it have on the Albanian community abroad?
Ilyrian Brains is a global network of Albanian professionals, present in over 40 countries. It’s a vibrant community that aims to connect Albanians wherever they are encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional support.
In Berlin, we organize a monthly “Happy Hour” where Albanian professionals meet, share experiences, and build meaningful relationships, many of which go beyond socializing and evolve into real professional collaborations. These events are a great opportunity to strengthen the Albanian network abroad and foster unity and mutual support.
Given the recent rise in Albanian emigration, Ilyrian Brains has become a “home” for many a space where they feel welcomed, where they can meet other professionals, and where they find guidance, inspiration, and motivation.
Our mission is clear: to build a strong, organized, and active community that not only proudly represents Albanians abroad, but also contributes to their personal and professional development.
How do you view the role of the Albanian diaspora, especially young professionals, in the development of Albania? What are some practical ways to contribute?
Absolutely. The Albanian diaspora holds enormous potential to contribute to Albania’s development, and that contribution goes far beyond financial remittances. Today’s generation of young professionals abroad brings valuable skills, international experience, and a broader worldview all of which can be transformed into tangible value for our country.
The role of the diaspora should be viewed through several important lenses:
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As a bridge between Albania and the world: Albanians abroad can serve as cultural ambassadors, presenting a modern, capable image of Albania while opening doors to international opportunities, collaborations, and visibility.
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Sharing knowledge and expertise: through mentorship, partnerships with educational institutions, or digital initiatives, diaspora professionals can build capacity in Albaniaparticularly in areas like tech, entrepreneurship, communications, and management.
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Strategic investments: many young Albanians abroad are already investing in Albania in tourism, real estate, and creative industries. These efforts not only fuel economic growth but also bring new standards, innovation, and ways of thinking.
From personal experience, I believe even social media can be a powerful tool to make an impact by promoting our culture, boosting the confidence of young Albanians, and proving that success is possible, even when you come from a small country like ours. Contribution doesn’t always have to be large-scale or institutional sometimes one powerful idea, one collaboration, or the right message at the right time can truly make a difference.
In the end, what matters most is the desire to give back. And all of us who live abroad have at least one strong reason to do so: our love for the country we come from.
Have you ever considered returning to Albania or investing here? In what way would you like to contribute in the future?
At the moment, I don’t see a full return to Albania happening in the near future not because I feel disconnected, but quite the opposite. I feel deeply rooted in Tirana and regularly split my time between Berlin and Albania. My connection with the country is constant and active.
Professionally, I’m also engaged in the real estate industry in Albania, working with both local and international investors who are interested in discovering the country’s potential. In that way, I already feel I’m contributing to Albania’s development not only through investment but by introducing new ideas, global perspectives, and higher standards to the market.
Beyond business, I’m also involved in community and economic development initiatives. I serve on the board of BNA – Business Network Albania, an organization that connects Albanian entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from around the world. Our mission is to build bridges among Albanian professionals globally, to create opportunities, strengthen cooperation, and generate value for the Albanian economy and society.
So while I may not be physically based in Albania full-time, my heart and efforts are very much invested in the country. For me, contributing doesn’t necessarily mean returning permanently it means staying connected, engaged, and active in shaping a better future for our homeland.
