Qendra e Studimeve dhe Publikimeve për Arbëreshët

What Qendra e Studimeve dhe Publikimeve për Arbëreshët does

Qendra e Studimeve dhe Publikimeve për Arbëreshët (QSPA) is an Albanian public legal entity established by Council of Ministers Decision No. 601 on 4 September 2019 (operational from 1 January 2020) and operating under the State Minister for Diaspora. Its mandate is to conduct specialized studies on the history, literature, and culture of the Arbëresh community — the oldest Albanian diaspora, settled primarily in southern Italy (Calabria, Sicily, Molise), Croatia (Zadar), and elsewhere — and to support cultural and linguistic preservation against assimilation pressure.

QSPA's core outputs are scholarly rather than commercial. They include the peer-reviewed Continuum scientific journal, a growing publications program (historical-philological works, ethnographies, literary anthologies), the biennial Kuvendi i Studimeve Arbëreshe conference series (held 2021, 2023, 2025), the international FEL XXV endangered-languages conference it hosted in 2021, the annual Ditët e Librit Arbëresh book days, the KrenArbëria youth literary competition, an E-Arkiva digital archive, the weekly Newsletter i Diasporës, and interactive maps of Arbëresh settlements. The technical footprint is limited to a content website, a flipbook-format digital publication channel, and standard social media.

QSPA does not pursue a commercial revenue model. It is funded by the Albanian state budget through the Ministry for Diaspora, supplemented by voluntary donations and "other legal revenues." Leadership rests with Executive Director Prof. As. Diana Kastrati, supported by a 9-member Coordinating Council that includes three Arbëresh community representatives, and a small team of named PhD researchers. Governance is exercised through 16+ memoranda of cooperation with Albanian, Kosovar, and international partners (Academy of Sciences of Albania, Academy of Albanological Studies, University of Tirana, FAA, IOM, among others).

Name

Qendra e Studimeve dhe Publikimeve për Arbëreshët

Legal name

Qendra e Studimeve dhe Publikimeve për Arbëreshët

Website

https://qspa.gov.al

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

QSPA is an Albanian government research institution under the State Minister for Diaspora, conducting scholarly studies, publications, conferences, and cultural preservation programs focused on the Arbëresh (Albanian) diaspora in Italy, Croatia, and other countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirana

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Budget: Primary funding from Albanian state budget allocated through the Ministry for Diaspora
2. Donations: Voluntary contributions and donations from partners and supporters
3. Other Legal Revenues: Other legitimate revenue streams as defined by law

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

QSPA is a government scientific research institution that conducts specialized studies on the history, literature, and culture of the Arbëresh (Albanian diaspora) community. Its core offerings include scholarly research publications, the Continuum academic journal, the biennial Kuvendi (Assembly) of Arbëresh Studies conference, the annual Ditët e Librit Arbëresh book festival, the KrenArbëria literary competition, an e-archive of media and historical records, and coordination of cooperation between Albanian domestic and diaspora scholars.

Product overview

QSPA operates as a cultural research institution organized around three main pillars: Scientific Studies (history, literature, and culture of the Arbëresh community), Publications (scholarly works and the Continuum journal), and Cultural Activities (conferences, exhibitions, and competitions). The institution manages a comprehensive publication program spanning historical-philological works, ethnographic studies, and literary research. Key products include the Continuum scholarly journal, the annual Kuvendi (Assembly) of Arbëresh Studies conference series, the Ditët e Librit Arbëresh book festival, the KrenArbëria literary competition, an e-archive of media coverage, informative magazine, and maps of Arbëresh settlements. All offerings are coordinated through the Directorate of Studies and Publications under the supervision of the Executive Director and the Coordinating Council.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Continuum: Scientific journal of Arbëresh Studies published by QSPA
• KrenArbëria
• Ditët e Librit Arbëresh

Products and services

• Revista Studimore 'Continuum' (Continuum - Journal of Arbëresh Studies) A scholarly journal dedicated to Arbëresh studies, published by QSPA, featuring peer-reviewed articles on Albanian diaspora, Arbëresh language, literature, culture, and history. Targeted at academic researchers, scholars, and institutions.
• Botimet (Publications Program) A comprehensive publication program covering historical-philological works, Arbëresh literary works, ethnographic studies, and scholarly research on Arbëresh communities in Italy, Croatia, and other diaspora locations. Publications span from 2020 through 2025.
• E-Arkiva (E-Archive) Digital archive containing QSPA media coverage, press releases, video documentation, and historical records related to Arbëresh cultural activities and QSPA events.
• Newsletter i Diasporës A weekly informational bulletin reflecting the activities of the State Minister for Diaspora and subordinate institutions, including QSPA activities and Arbëresh community news.
• Hartat e Ngulimeve Arbëreshe (Maps of Arbëresh Settlements) Interactive and informational maps showing Arbëresh settlement locations in Italy, Croatia, and Venice, documenting the geographical distribution of Albanian diaspora communities.
• Kuvendi i Studimeve Arbëreshe (Assembly of Arbëresh Studies) A biennial scholarly conference series bringing together Albanian and international scholars to discuss Arbëresh language, literature, culture, and diaspora studies. Includes Kuvendi I (2021), II (2023), and III (2025) held in Tirana.
• Revistë Informuese (Informative Magazine) An informative magazine published by QSPA covering Arbëresh cultural activities, scholarly research, and institutional news.
• Ditët e Librit Arbëresh (Arbëresh Book Days) An annual event organized by QSPA celebrating Arbëresh literature and publications, featuring scholarly lectures, exhibitions, and cultural presentations. Edition I launched in 2022, Edition II in 2024.
• KrenArbëria (Literary Competition) Annual literary competition for Arbëresh youth promoting creative writing in Arbëresh language, with categories for poetry and short stories. Winners are published in Continuum journal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three major international conferences on Arbëresh Studies organized (2021, 2023, 2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• International Organization for Migration (IOM)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Cooperation agreement between the State Minister for Diaspora and IOM, with QSPA involvement in diaspora research activities.
• National Historical MuseumsecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint exhibitions and research on historical materials related to Arbëresh heritage.
• University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi"secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic cooperation including research activities and scholarly exchanges.
• National Center for Books and Reading (QKLL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint activities for promoting Arbëresh literature and cultural publications, including the Arbëresh Book Days event.
• Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of AlbanianssecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Cooperation for preservation and promotion of Albanian cultural and spiritual heritage.
• Language Implementation AgencysecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Collaboration on Arbëresh language preservation and linguistic research initiatives.
• University "Nënë Tereza"secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Academic cooperation and research collaboration.
• Academy of Sciences of AlbaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Memorandum of Cooperation for joint scholarly activities, research projects, and academic publications on Albanian studies and Arbëresh heritage.
• Academy of Albanological StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Memorandum of cooperation for joint research initiatives and publications on Albanological topics including Arbëresh studies.
• Faculty of History and Philology, University of TiranacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cooperation agreement for academic collaboration, joint conferences, student exchanges, and research activities related to Arbëresh studies.
• Academy of Sciences and Arts of KosovosecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Memorandum of cooperation for scholarly exchange and joint activities between Albanian academic institutions.
• National Library of Kosovo "Pjetër Bogdani"secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cooperation for archival and research activities related to Arbëresh heritage preservation.
• Institute of History "Ali Hadri" (Kosovo)secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Joint historical research initiatives and academic publications.
• Archaeological Institute of KosovosecondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cooperation on archaeological and cultural heritage research projects.
• University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina"secondaryStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Academic collaboration including research, conferences, and scholarly exchanges.
• FAA - Federata e Asociacioneve ArbëreshecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Protocol of cooperation with the Federation of Arbëresh Associations for joint activities supporting Arbëresh communities, cultural preservation, and diaspora engagement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• European Centre for Minority Issues (ECMI): European research organization focused on minority issues including language rights and cultural preservation. Comparable as a thematic peer in language and minority research, though with a broader European remit and a different institutional model.

Direct peers

• Center for Diaspora Publications (Qendra e Botimeve për Diasporën): Sister government institution under the same Ministry for Diaspora, handling publishing for diaspora-facing content. Highly comparable as a state entity serving the same Albanian diaspora mandate through publications.
• Language Implementation Agency of Albania (Agjencia e Zbatimit të Gjuhës): Albanian state agency responsible for language policy implementation. Comparable as a state institution under related ministerial oversight that collaborates with QSPA on Arbëresh language preservation and linguistic research.
• National Center for Books and Reading (Qendra Kombëtare e Librit dhe Leximit, QKLL): Albanian state body promoting literature, reading, and book-related events — co-organizer of QSPA's Ditët e Librit Arbëresh. Comparable as a state institution supporting literary and cultural programming targeting Albanian-language communities.
• Federata e Asociacioneve Arbëreshe (FAA): Federation of Arbëresh Associations based in Italy — the principal civil-society counterpart of QSPA among diaspora communities. Comparable as the leading institutional convenor of Arbëresh community organizations and cultural activities in the diaspora.
• National Historical Museum (Muzeu Historik Kombëtar): Albania's principal state-funded historical museum and QSPA's documented partner on joint exhibitions. Comparable as a government cultural/heritage institution that curates and presents historical content related to Albanian identity.
• Academy of Albanological Studies (Akademia e Studimeve Albanologjike): Albania's national Albanological research institution, also a core QSPA Coordinating Council partner. Directly comparable as a state-backed academic research body operating in the same Albanological and diaspora research domain.
• Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of Albanians (Instituti i Trashëgimisë Shpirtërore dhe Kulturore të Shqiptarëve): Albanian state research institute focused on spiritual and cultural heritage preservation. Comparable as a government-funded institution engaged in cultural heritage research, documentation, and publication.
• Academy of Sciences of Albania (Akademia e Shkencave e Shqipërisë): Albania's premier state-funded scientific academy, also a Coordinating Council member. Comparable as a state-funded research institution in Albania that coordinates scholarly research and publications across multiple disciplines.

Broad incumbents

• International Organization for Migration (IOM) Albania: UN-affiliated international body operating in Albania with a cooperation agreement covering diaspora research. Comparable as an established international organization that convenes diaspora-related research and policy work in the same country.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/qendra-e-studimeve-dhe-publikimeve-p%C3%ABr-arb%C3%ABresh%C3%ABt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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