Institute of Geosciences (IGEO) - Albania and GEM-Italy are currently working on a 1-year project to update its national seismic hazard model. In the first workshop held in January, GEM had the opportunity to chat with Edmond Dushi, Seismologist and Vice Director of the Institute of Geosciences, (IGEO); and Anila Xhahysa, Structural Engineer and Head of the Seismology Department (IGEO) about the importance of the partnership and what motivated IGEO to partner with GEM.