Stop the Building in Albania
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
Who proposed this – let’s investigate it!
Jared Kushner (Donald Trump’s son-in-law), owner of the investment firm Affinity Partners, has proposed building a multi-billion-dollar luxury resort in the center of beautiful and protected land on Albania's Adriatic coast. Sazan Island and Zvernec/Narta Lagoon, the two primary locations, contain some of the most sensitive wildlife populations and environmentally vulnerable locations in this country.
In early 2024, the Albanian Parliament passed a very controversial and dangerous law that only high-end tourism can be built on protected wildlife land. This basically states: if you have money, the location doesn’t matter. Critics soon argued that this was prioritizing profit over the planet, the beginning of the revolution against Albania’s Parliament. Later that year, Kushner revealed his plans for urban development.
In November 2025, real “development” began! An Albanian businessman, Artur Shehu, agreed to sell the protected land to Albanian developers sponsored by Affinity Partners. By now, not only locals but environmental activists from around Europe came together to protest. Their deep dive into the controversial law uncovered fraud and illegal transactions (bribes).
Albania's Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), around June 2026, had begun investigating the project as well. They focused on land ownership irregularities, money laundering and organized crime links, and asset freezes. They discovered that Artur Shehu had been laundering money, trafficking drugs, and forging deeds with Affinity Partners. Anti-corruption prosecutors placed a freeze on bank accounts holding $148 million in coastal land assets, according to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
All this information being released caused huge political distrust in the minds of Albanian citizens. The European Parliament urged Albania to suspend construction in these protected areas, but the country, of course, did not listen. The project has become a symbol of corruption and environmental disregard, further straining citizens’ trust in the government.
July 2026, the construction has been halted and is under intense investigation, but the building of the resort hasn’t fully stopped. The reputation of Jerry Kushner's firm has suffered and has now become a symbol of corruption and environmental degradation in Albania. This project has even drawn comparison to Kushner’s Trump-branded projects in Serbia, which have had a similar downfall.
What is the impact of construction?
This construction has shown the true colors of the politicians who supported it, not only raising citizens’ distrust in their government, but also their immense fear of the environmental damage from building on protected, vulnerable land.
Sazan Island is one of the most important and vulnerable wildlife zones in Albania, home to endangered species, marine life, and rare flora. The fencing, clearing, and construction so far are resulting in damage to coral reefs, coastal forests, dunes, and nesting areas for sea turtles and birds.
Projected Environmental Impact - According to statistics from the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) and Qëndresa Qytetare (Civic Resistance) has caused:
Loss of 50-70% of natural vegetation in construction zones
A 30-50% reduction in fish populations due to destruction of fish nurseries by dredging
Increased amounts of water contamination from runoff
Increased deforestation and land grading leading to accelerated soil erosion/ increasing sediment in the Adriatic
Massive water consumption by construction, in a region already facing severe water shortages
No clear management plan leading to sewage, plastic waste, and chemical runoff into the sea
Social and Economic Impact on Local Communities - According to villagers interviewed by Reuters Investigative Report, Orikum and Vlorë Fishermen’s Associations, and the Flamingo Revolution Collective:
Villagers have stated that the land was taken and sold without proper compensation, leaving many homeless.
Because of the runoff, many fishermen say that there are fewer fish, reducing the fish stocks (a big part of the Albanian economy).
Tourism at the resort could put local small businesses out of business and on the streets.
Petitions and more resources
Petitions
Resources
Kushner Island? Why a planned resort has provoked protests in Albania | Environment News | Al Jazeera
Why a luxury resort plan by Trump’s son-in-law sparked mass protests in Albania | NBC News
It's one of the world's rare wild places. A Trump-linked plan has sparked a revolt | SBS News
FINAL NOTE:
Every signature, share, and email makes a difference. Don’t be afraid to stand up and show politicians we are paying attention. Let’s work together to save Sazan Island and the Vjosa Narte wetlands, and hold those responsible to account!!!!
Sage Baron
15 years old
New Jersey
FFF USA, National Policy Coordinator