LocationsUNDP Albania
How Alvin Turned Olives into Opportunity
UNDP Albania
Alvin inspired me.
A business acumen.
Smart. Thinking outside the box.
I hope his story will inspire you too.
In the quiet agricultural heartland of Fiershegan, where olive groves are abundant, Alvin Gjata saw what few others did—a gap, a chance, a business waiting to bloom.
In a region where olive trees multiplied but no local factory existed to process the harvest, Alvin saw more than trees—he saw potential. With a background in finance, over 15 years of experience in his family’s agritourism business, and sharp entrepreneurial instincts, he decided to act.
“There were olives, but no olive oil factory in our area. The demand was there. We decided: it’s time to build something—by us, for us.”
And just like that, with grit and significant investment, the ALSA Olive Oil Factory was born in November 2023—co-founded with his uncle, Sami. Now he runs the business with his cousin, Ersin. The name ALSA, a combination of their initials, now stands as a symbol of local quality, family values, and forward-thinking business.
But Alvin’s story may have taken a different turn without the transformative support of UNDP’s Growing with Your Business (GyB) methodology.
At the start, Alvin had the numbers. The market analysis. The vision.
What he lacked were the tools to build a brand, reach customers, and scale smartly.
That’s where UNDP stepped in. Through a local meeting with municipal representatives, Alvin connected with the project team. His business—alongside 11 others—was selected through a rigorous process based on UNDP's criteria. That’s when he met the team of consultants, including Ana Kekezi, who became a key part of his journey.
Alvin Gjata, co-founder of ALSA Olive Oil Factory
UNDP Albania
“We had no identity. No logo. No positioning, no marketing or market access strategy,” Alvin recalls.
“Ana helped us build all of that—and more.”
With tailored coaching and training provided by UNDP, Alvin and his team defined a strong commercial image, built their brand, applied food safety standards, improved waste management—and most importantly—entered new markets. The project also connected him with credit lines, peer networks. He even thought of forming a cooperative to strengthen the region’s olive oil value chain under a Made in Lushnja label.
ALSA Olive Oil Factory now has a strong and refreshed commercial image.
UNDP Albania
“I’m young and eager to learn. Through this project, I met new people and gained new ideas. We’re not just pressing olives—we’re building something lasting.”
Today, ALSA is a thriving small business, serving clients in Lushnja, Tirana, Durrës, and even Italy. In just two years, their premium olive oil and ethical practices have attracted a growing base of loyal customers. The factory operates with a team of five—mostly family members—and embraces sustainability through a biomass furnace powered by olive kernels, a smart reuse of waste aligned with circular economy principles. Olive leaves and remains are returned to the land as organic fertilizer, reinforcing their environmental commitment.
“Alvin embodies a new wave of visionary agri-entrepreneurs in Albania. Through ALSA, he’s building a brand defined by quality, traceability, and local impact. His team’s commitment to continuous improvement and strong ties to local farmers position ALSA for sustainable growth and long-term value,” says Ana Kekezi.
And the growth isn’t over.
With UNDP support, Alvin will soon receive two large inox oil storage tanks—a grant through the project—ensuring safe storage, higher standards, and stronger client trust.
His dream?
To build a value chain that uplifts local producers, meets international standards, and paves a shared path forward for Albanian olive oil.
Across Lushnja, 11 other agro-processors are on a similar journey—thanks to the Growing with Your Business methodology. Over six months, the programme equips local entrepreneurs with hands-on support in business training, marketing, food safety, and access to finance.
Fresh olives - ALSA Olive Oil Factory
UNDP Albania
“We started as a small idea. Now we’re thinking bigger, together.”
So next time you think about olive oil, think beyond the bottle.
Think about sustainability. Because entrepreneurship, when nurtured with the right support, becomes a powerful force for rural transformation.
Growing with Your Business is part of the Business Partnerships and Solutions for Sustainable Development Goals project—funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by UNDP as lead agency, in partnership with FAO, ILO, and UNIDO.
Through personalized coaching, networking, and training, the programme helps Albanian entrepreneurs like Alvin thrive in a fast-changing economy—while building greener, stronger, and more inclusive communities.
Alvin’s story is proof that when passion meets purpose—and the right support—amazing things happen.
