All posts by : IDM Albania

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the challenges and needs of young people in the context of Albania’s accession to the European Union. The Berlin Process is an initiative aimed at enhancing regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and assisting the integration of these countries into the EU. Youth participation in political processes in Albania and the region remains low, mainly due to their migration and the lack of supportive spaces for their inclusion. To improve this situation, it is necessary to develop and implement specific policies that address the demands of young people, provide targeted information, promote civic education, and establish political mechanisms for their communication and interaction with state institutions. Furthermore, it is important for young people to be involved in political and decision-making processes to address their issues, focusing on development goals and youth policies

Project goals

The goal of the project is to empower Local Youth Councils so that they have a significant role in local decision-making processes by establishing a supportive and organizational system for young people and promoting awareness among members of the Local Youth Councils.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Young people who are involved in youth boards, youth councils;

Activists engaged in the structure of the Local Youth Council in their municipality.

Local public administration;

Members of Local Youth Councils.

First-time voters;

Young people, youth organizations, and all stakeholders interested in empowering youth at the local and national levels.

Main activities

Organizing project presentation meetings in the Divjaka municipality and Fushe-Arrëz municipality;

Work sessions/consultative meetings with the targeted groups;

Developing a work plan for preparing models of internal regulatory acts for the LYCs;

Finalizing the models of regulatory acts and preparing for the approval of the Regulation on the Functioning of the Local Youth Council in the Divjaka and Fushe-Arrëz municipalities;

Preparing project progress information and publishing it on the official website of the Institute for Strategic Development and social networks.

Summary of the project

This project aims to address the knowledge gap among citizens, particularly young people, regarding local institutions and the 2014 Administrative-Territorial Reform. Implemented for seven years, the Reform aimed to improve local governance and services but lacked consolidation. Through legal education and awareness initiatives, the project seeks to provide citizens with a better understanding of local institutions and their functions, thereby increasing their participation in decision-making processes and their contribution to urban development.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to educate citizens about local institutions and their responsibilities in the context of this year’s local elections, ensuring that citizens are well-informed for their decisions.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The youth and women aged 15-45;

Civil society organizations operating within the territory of the Municipality of Lezhë.

Main activities

The organization of 2 workshops with 50 beneficiaries from the 10 Administrative Units of the Municipality of Lezhë;

Online Awareness Campaign;

The organization of a Roundtable to advocate before the Municipal Council and the Municipality of Lezhë;

Drafting of the Local Action Plan (2023-2026) for the Legal Education of the citizens of Lezhë;

Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Civil Society Organizations of Lezhë.

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the challenges and needs of young people in the process of European Union Integration of Albania and focus on chapters 19 and 26 of the negotiations, which tackle youth issues and problems. The objective is to actively involve young people and encourage their engagement in the negotiation process and integration policies. Through the creation of appropriate public policies, systematic projects, and increasing the information and expectations of young people, the EU Policy Hub aims to improve their inclusion and enhance their capacity to influence youth policies in the integration process. The project also seeks to increase young people’s awareness of the negotiation process and ensure their involvement in advocating for and monitoring this process, to enhance transparency and accountability in policies that affect them.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to increase information and strengthen the capacities of young people to play an active role as advocates and monitors of Albania’s accession process to the EU. Through the establishment of the “European Integration Club” in 2022, consisting of young activists and students, the goal is to engage and involve them in the debate on European integration. The activities of this initiative aim to empower young people as influential agents in all stages of this process by enhancing their knowledge, understanding of institutions, policies, and European standards, and promoting their inclusion in public discourse.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Young students and professionals, aged 18-29;

Citizens;

National Council for European Integration and other coordinating institutions of the process.

Main activities

Discussion meetings of the Integration Club;

Academy of European Integration Leadership;

Periodic monitoring of meetings of the National Council for European Integration;

Development of an analysis on the work of the European Integration Council.

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the negative impact of hydroelectric power plant construction on the Luma River and the protection of the Topojan protected area in Kukes. The Luma River is important for the region and the local population, but it is under pressure from hydroelectric power plant developments. The local community and interest groups are against the construction of hydroelectric power plants and propose the creation of a protected area. The project aims to support the community in their efforts to preserve this natural asset and achieve sustainable economic development. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations and the media will assist in this process by raising public awareness and ensuring that the community’s demands are taken into account. The main objective is to preserve the Luma River as a national natural heritage and ensure sustainable economic development in the Kukes region.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to increase public participation in the decision-making process for the sustainable use of natural resources. This will be achieved through improving public notification procedures for environmental permits of hydroelectric power plants in the areas related to the Topojan River Valley. The project also aims to enhance community awareness and participation in the decision-making process by encouraging their involvement in public hearings regarding environmental permits for hydroelectric power plants. Additionally, the project seeks to assess the level of community concerns reflected during public hearings for environmental permits of hydroelectric power plants in the Topojan and Shishtavec River Valleys. Ultimately, the project aims to provide support to the community in the Topojan River Valley in their civic reactions, making their voices heard by decision-making institutions.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The local community;

The residents directly affected by the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the Topojan and Shushica River Valleys, as well as the surrounding villages.

Main activities

The project’s launch in Kukes through a joint conference with representatives of public institutions;

Advocacy in the Administrative Unit of Topojan and Shishtavec;

Planting 500 black pine (Pinus nigra) saplings in eroded and damaged lands as a result of the construction of 5 railways;

Preparation of an analytical document assessing the level of reflections from the local community in public hearings and sending this summary document to the relevant institutions;

Addressing the requests and complaints of the local governance units’ community towards the decision-making institutions.

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the social issues faced by the Roma and Egyptian minority communities regarding the legalization of their housing. These two minorities encounter numerous obstacles such as lack of information, ongoing discrimination, challenging administrative procedures, and bureaucratic hurdles within public institutions. Through this project, LRER aims to increase families’ awareness about the process of legalizing informal housing and promote institutional responsibility in implementing laws and measures to ensure equality and participation for Roma and Egyptian communities. The project includes activities to empower and mobilize families to engage in advocacy processes and influence local decision-making.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to ensure secure shelter through community mobilization and increasing the decision-making power of the Roma and Egyptian communities, including inclusive and transparent negotiation processes with the central and local government.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The families of the Roma and Egyptian minorities in the city of Elbasan.

Main activities

Field meetings;

Informational meetings on legal acts and administrative procedures related to the legalization of informal housing;

Meeting for community empowerment and enhancing the advocacy skills of Roma and Egyptian families;

Meeting with representatives from the Local Directorate of the State Cadastre Agency and the Elbasan Municipality;

Assistance and provision of legal aid;

Production of a documentary video.

Summary of the project

The project aims to create a supportive environment for the provision of social protection services in the rural areas of the Municipality of Tirana by expanding and diversifying direct and para-social services for vulnerable groups. The project focuses on promoting an integrated system of social protection, preventive measures for the protection of children and at-risk groups, as well as improving interactions between the healthcare service and the Child Protection Unit. These measures are intended to ensure sustainable access to social services and protection for the groups in need in rural areas.

Project goals

The main objective is to develop the capacities of child protection professionals in rural areas to improve the process of identifying and managing cases in need, as well as to coordinate actions between public service providers and sector organizations to actively identify and manage cases in need.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Child Protection Unit professionals;

Social service providers;

Other institutions providing social and health protection;

Vulnerable communities at high risk of being involved in issues such as abuse, trafficking, illegal migration, legal conflicts, etc., particularly children, youth, and their parents.

Main activities

Preparatory phase of the project;

Facilitating the process of listing social indicators;

Conducting a series of seminars on effective management of cases in need of protection;

Mapping services;

Study visit;

Conducting two technical meetings;

Development of facilitating tools for coordinating the work between social protection services, healthcare, education, and police within the framework of the case management procedure.

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the issue of violence against women and girls in Tirana. Despite efforts made in this direction in Albania, cases of femicide in 2021 indicated that there is still a serious concern in Albanian society. Therefore, the Municipality of Tirana approved the Local Action Plan for Gender Equality, with the aim of strengthening the safety and protection of victimized women and girls. Through this project, support and counseling will be provided by the Municipality of Tirana to improve the handling of violence cases by the Administrative Units. This initiative aims to enhance protection and safety for women and girls experiencing violence in Tirana, including raising awareness, building capacities, and providing effective support.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to enhance the safety and protection of women and girls who are victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in the Municipality of Tirana. The specific objectives include identifying issues and best practices in handling violence cases by the employees of the Municipality of Tirana, equipping the employees with the ability to identify factors that jeopardize the safety and lives of domestic violence victims, as well as effectively addressing the cases; advocating at the Municipality of Tirana for improving services for victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence.

Target groups and beneficiaries

The employees of the Administrative Units of the Municipality of Tirana;

Women and girls who are victims of domestic violence and gender-based violence in the Municipality of Tirana.

Main activities

Coordinating meetings with the Directorate of Social Services, Municipality of Tirana;

Focus groups with employees of the Administrative Units;

Preparation of the Guidebook for employees of the Administrative Units;

Distribution of the Guidebook to all Administrative Units of the Municipality of Tirana;

Advocacy at the Municipality of Tirana for improving the response of the Administrative Units in protecting violence victims.

Summary of the project

The project aims to address the issue of energy poverty in Albania, where a significant portion of the population is unable to afford the necessary energy due to high prices. This problem particularly affects vulnerable communities and has negative consequences on citizens’ health and well-being. In addition to focusing on social support policies, there is a need to advocate for evidence-based policies and the participation of affected groups. The project aims to improve energy consumption efficiency and share knowledge with local actors, involving them in the identification and implementation of sustainable solutions. Through this intervention, the project seeks to strengthen the role of civil society, mobilize local actors, and have a positive impact on energy poverty management in the country.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to strengthen the role, involvement, and impact of civil society in mobilizing local and regional actors to increase citizens’ influence and drive positive change in the proactive and active management of energy poverty in the country.

Target groups and beneficiaries

Vulnerable groups experiencing energy poverty;

Youth and representatives of local Youth Centers;

The community of Berat Municipality and interest groups in the 4 municipalities: Tirana, Shkodër, Vlorë, and Elbasan.

Main activities

Information and needs assessment campaign for training on energy poverty issues at the local level;

Capacity building of local stakeholders for active engagement in addressing energy poverty challenges;

Establishment of an active network of stakeholders in the targeted territory to ensure inclusion and increase civic influence in proactive and active energy poverty management processes;

Coordinating meetings with stakeholders to establish a civic influence network in energy security management processes;

Pilot educational-awareness campaigns with the community;

National roundtable discussions on energy poverty and project closure.

Summary of the project

The project aims to educate, inform, and engage young people with hearing impairments in local government institutions in the Municipality of Tirana. By addressing the challenges of information gaps and discrimination in Albanian sign language, the project promotes youth activism and inclusive communities. Through organizing workshops and meetings, the project aims to increase knowledge and active participation of young people in society and decision-making processes. The project seeks to improve democratic processes and involve young people with hearing impairments in the Municipality of Tirana  as local power actors.

Project goals

The goal of the project is to educate young people with hearing impairments about local government institutions, their roles, responsibilities, and services, through access to information, while promoting youth activism and inclusive society.

Target groups and beneficiaries

15 young people with hearing impairments from the Municipality of Tirana, aged 15-25 years.

30 young people with hearing impairments from the Municipality of Tirana who will participate in the meetings;

1000 members of the deaf community;

30 members of the Municipal Council.

Main activities

Workshop “My Municipality”;

Informal consultative meetings with young people with hearing impairments;

Meeting with the Municipal Council of Tirana;

Informative videos about online services.