In the rugged mountain communities of northern Albania, access to water has become an increasingly larger challenge for farming families. Changing weather patterns, long dry seasons, and limited infrastructure have placed significant strain on farming communities that rely on agriculture for both food and income. However, efforts are underway to help address one of the community’s most urgent needs: reliable access to water.
For years, families in this region have cultivated aromatic plants—such as helichrysum, lavender, and roman chamomile—as well as traditional food crops, despite the somewhat difficult growing conditions. While the land is rich in agricultural potential, many farmers have lacked the resources needed to build sustainable irrigation systems or secure dependable sources of clean water. Drilling a well is financially out of reach for most communities, leaving many farming families dependent on inconsistent rainfall and limited seasonal water access.
As part of an ongoing community impact initiative connected to dōTERRA’s sourcing efforts in Albania, 20 new water wells are being installed throughout farming communities in the region. These wells are designed to provide both irrigation water for crops and potable water for families.
The project's goal is to support 6,000+ people in the community by giving farmers greater access to the resources they need to sustain their livelihoods. Reliable water access can improve crop stability, support the cultivation of aromatic plants and food crops, and reduce the uncertainty many families face during dry seasons.
Beyond agriculture, the wells are also creating meaningful day-to-day improvements for local communities. In the village of Pjetroshan, Maria, a mother of three, wakes before dawn each day to collect water before the water pressure drops. Her children often help her carry heavy water containers to bring water home, leaving less time for school. For Maria and hundreds of families like hers, these wells mean more than water — they mean improved health, more free time, and an increased sense of dignity.
In many rural areas of Albania, younger generations have made the decision to leave their farming communities in search of work elsewhere in Europe. Limited infrastructure and economic uncertainty have made it difficult for families to see a sustainable future in agriculture.
However, community members involved in this project have shared that access to water is helping restore hope for the future. Farmers who once considered leaving their profession are now seeing new possibilities to continue cultivating their land and to support their families locally.
The project also reflects a broader commitment to supporting the people behind dōTERRA’s supply chain—not only through sourcing relationships, but through long-term investments that strengthen communities and create lasting impact. The wells are going to be run and maintained by the community, with the goal of providing water for future generations of farmers.
The project isn’t something that a single person can build on their own. The water well initiative involves local contractors, drilling crews, technicians, and community members working together throughout the entire process. Heavy equipment, pumps, and irrigation systems are being built into remote areas where infrastructure improvements are often overlooked.
As of May 2026, several wells are still in the process of being completed, with additional installations planned during the peak agricultural season this summer. As more wells become operational, farmers will begin using them for irrigation and community water access during one of the busiest harvesting periods of the year.
At the heart of the dōTERRA Cō-Impact Sourcing model is a commitment to creating shared value for the communities connected to the sourcing process. This project reflects that ongoing commitment by helping address environmental and social challenges that directly affect farming families.
Reliable water access is more than an infrastructure improvement—it is an investment in human dignity, sustainability, and community wellbeing. By supporting projects like these, dōTERRA aims to help create long-term opportunities for the people who cultivate and care for some of the world’s most precious botanicals.
As the project continues, the impact of reliable water access will extend far beyond the wells themselves. Improved access to water can help strengthen agricultural communities, support local livelihoods, and contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come.
