Albania benefits from Council of Europe co-operation initiatives to support its reform agenda both in the framework of its commitments as a member State, and to further progress in the European Union accession process. The Council of Europe Office in Tirana ensures co-ordination between headquarters and the domestic and international partners located in Albania.

Six actions are currently being implemented as part of the third phase of the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme “Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Türkiye”. They aim at bolstering justice reform, supporting Albania’s capacity to effectively execute judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and to enforce domestic court rulings, including with regard to property rights, alongside strengthening the quality and efficiency of justice. In the penitentiary, support provided contributes to enhancing the protection of the human rights of detainees, including through enhanced rehabilitation and re-integration processes. Moreover, institutional capacities are strengthened to better prevent corruption, money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The action also accompanies authorities in advancing the implementation of anti-discrimination legislation, while raising public awareness on hate speech, diversity and equality. Targeted assistance furthermore aims at promoting  freedom of expression and of the media.  

The European Union/Council of Europe co-operation further materialises in two country-specific Joint Programmes, respectively focusing on promoting freedom of expression through open dialogue and supporting the country’s electoral cycle.

In addition,  six  projects in Albania are financed through voluntary contributions, respectively focusing on constitutional justice and human rights (funded by the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency), elections integrity and local governance (funded by Germany), anti-corruption (funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), anti-money laundering (funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs), and strengthening capacities of the Albanian judiciary to apply standards on the right to liberty and security (funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund).

In parallel, Albania benefits from the Horizontal Facility regional actions focusing on enhancing quality and sustainability of justice based on CEPEJ methodology, improving the management of violent extremism in prisons,  enhancing women’s access to justice, bolstering the fight against economic crime, combating intolerance and promotion of equality, and protecting freedom of expression and of the media.

Furthermore, Albania also benefits from the regional EU/Council of Europe Joint Programmes CyberSEE, Roma integration III and “Local Observatory on Reform Agendas Implementation in the Western Balkans (LORAI)”. LORAI empowers local authorities to actively monitor the implementation of Reform Agendas under the EU’s Reform and Growth Facility, advocate for reforms, and propose policy and investment priorities for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

Lastly, Albania benefits from regional projects funded by voluntary contributions. The project “HELP in the Western Balkans” aims to enhance the capacities and skills of legal professionals for the effective application of European standards in human rights. Thanks to Germany’s financial contribution, the Council of Europe promotes deliberative democracy in the region as an innovative form of citizen participation in local decision-making.

For updated information on ongoing co-operation, please consult directly the website of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana.

Through the implementation of the aforementioned programmes and actions, the Council of Europe contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 3 (target 8), SDG 4 (targets 5 and 7), SDG 5 (targets 1, 2 and c), SDG 10 (targets 2 and 3), SDG 15 (target 7) and SDG 16 (targets 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, a and b).

More information: Overview of the Council of Europe Contribution to the UN 2030 Agenda.