Advancing the protection from discrimination in Albania

Back “Together with Family:” – The 17th Festival of Diversity Kicks off in Albania to mark IDAHOT

It is May and as every year, we unite to celebrate diversity and human dignity in Albania, reaffirming the commitment to challenge discrimination and promote inclusion for all. The 17th Festival of Diversity in the framework of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is now underway. It brings together LGBTI organisations, community members and citizens for a vibrant series of public events stretching throughout the month under this year's slogan: "Together with Family!"

The European Union and Council of Europe proudly continue their support for Albanian LGBTI organisations, helping combat discrimination, promote inclusivity, and advance the protection of human rights for all.

Among the key milestones the High-Level Dialogue on Albania's EU Membership and the Perspective of LGBTI Rights, reflects the growing recognition that the path to European integration is inseparable from the protection of fundamental rights for everyone. Two important moments will follow: “Raise the Flag” ceremony at the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on Kavaja Street — a symbol of institutional visibility and solidarity and “Shake the Homophobia” an event that confronts prejudices through community action and shared experiences.

The festival continues on 17 May with Dumplings and Love, to offer an intimate gathering in the spirit of community and belonging. On 20 May the National Strategic Roundtable on the Protection and Advancement of LGBTI Rights in Albania convenes at the Tirana International Hotel. It is a crucial policy dialogue bringing together institutional and civil society voices to assess progress and chart the road ahead. "The Temptation" Kiki Ball Party at the Agimi Cultural Centre is another evening of joyful celebration, artistry, and self-expression. Rounding out the month, a Queer Poetry Competition on 31 May will give voice to personal stories, amplifying perspectives that too often go unheard.

Three online campaigns are running in parallel throughout May, keeping the conversation alive beyond the festival’s physical events. With creative graphs and visuals, these campaigns will raise awareness on equal rights and diversity reaching different communities across Albania.

These events are a testament to the determination and creativity of Albania's LGBTI community and its allies. Together, they send a clear message: human rights and equality are non-negotiable, and a truly inclusive society is built by standing together, raising our voices, and supporting one another—today and every day.

The 17^th festival of Diversity was supported by the action “Advancing protection from discrimination in Albania”, part of the EU and Council of Europe joint programme “Horizontal Facility III”, together with the Council of Europe's SOGIESC Unit.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Albania 14 May 2026

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The action aims at bringing forward the effects of the reforms in the field of anti-discrimination and combating hate speech. It supports the alignment with European standards to better protect the rights of vulnerable groups and ethnic minorities, further strengthening diversity and equality in Albania.

The action is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” running from December 2023 until January 2026.

What is the goal of the action?

The main goal of the action on “Advancing the protection from discrimination in Albania” is to improve protection of minorities and other vulnerable groups in Albania, from discrimination and hate speech/hate crimes, in line with the European standards.

Who benefits from the action?

The action beneficiaries are the public institutions in the field of antidiscrimination, local stakeholders and most importantly the people in Albania. By providing technical assistance and raising awareness of public institutions and related actors in the field, the action brings forward the effects of the reforms in the field of anti-discrimination and combating hate speech as well as advancing the overall protection of human rights for the people of Albania and in particular for the vulnerable communities.

How will the action work?

This action offers assistance in improving the record of fighting discrimination, racism, hate speech and hate crimes in Albania.

The support is provided as part of the EU accession process while the action offers capacity building initiatives, adapting methodologies of the Council of Europe in the field and exchange of best practices, to foster co-operation among partners and the dialogue between stakeholders;

Awareness raising on diversity and anti-discrimination towards other constitutes an important component of the action.

What do we expect to achieve?

Notably, the action will ensure that:

Policy makers better address discrimination and hate speech;
Public institutions and Civil Society Organisations improve responses to ensure fight against discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes;
General public in Albania becomes more aware and contributes to counter intolerance, hate crimes and racism for a more cohesive society.

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the action is 850,000 Euros. Albania is also benefitting from the regional action on Promoting equality and combating racism and intolerance in the Western Balkans, worth 700,000 Euros.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe)

About the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.