As every year, Albania celebrates diversity and human dignity and reaffirms its commitment to combat discrimination and promote inclusion for all in the framework of the International Day Against Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Intersexphobia. The 17th edition of the Festival of Diversity started with High-Level Dialogue on EU Interim Benchmarks and LGBTI Rights in Albania on 14 May 2026, bringing together policy makers, LGBTI organisations and community members, reflecting the growing recognition that the path to European integration is inseparable from the protection of fundamental rights for all.
On 20 May the National Strategic Roundtable on the Protection and Advancement of LGBTI Rights in Albania will convene representatives from government, equality and protection institutions, academia and civil society to assess progress on implementation of the National Action Plan for LGBTI Persons (2021–2027) at national and local levels.
Hosting also cultural activities and campaigns that aim to raise awareness on equal rights and diversity reaching different communities across Albania, the 17th Festival of Diversity is supported by the Council of Europe SOGIESC Unit’s project on “Promoting Human Rights and Equality for LGBTI persons-IV”, together with the EU and Council of Europe Action on “Advancing protection from discrimination in Albania” under Horizontal Facility III.
