🌐 NEWSLETTER June 2025
Parliament launches e-Legislation Portal with OSCE support On 23 June 2025, in an important milestone for Albania’s legislative process, the Assembly of Albania launched the e- Legislation Portal, created through a project of the OSCE Presence in Albania with funding from the Swiss government. The Portal, developed in line with the international Akoma Ntoso standard, is designed to allow real-time search and access to consolidated legislative documents. It enhances internal workflow, supports more effective and transparent law-making and contributes to informed decision-making in the Assembly.
Austrian experts assess Albania’s emergency response As part of the Emergency Response Project developed by the OSCE Presence with Austria Government funds, two Austrian experts visited Albania to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the legal framework, procedures and operational capacities of institutions involved in emergency response. The two-day assessment, on 11 and 12 June, included visits and consultations with key institutions such as the National Civil Protection Agency, State Police, Fire and Rescue Services and Health Emergency Units. This initiative aims to strengthen Albania’s resilience and emergency response capacities.
Justice Strategy 2024–2030 discussed Ambassador Tarran visits with key partners Gjirokastra and Pogradec On 13 June, the Presence supported the Ministry of From 23 to 26 June, Amb. Tarran visited Gjirokastra Justice in organizing a meeting with justice and Pogradec to strengthen ties with local actors institutions and international partners focused on and participate in Presence-organized events. In the implementation of the Cross-Sector Justice Gjirokastra, he met with civil society, visited the Strategy 2024-2030 during last year. The Presence Kakavija Border Crossing Point and participated at has contributed in the drafting of the Strategy and the presentation of a feasibility study for a Research now in its implementation. Addressing the event Centre for Local Development at Gjirokastra alongside Justice Minister Ulsi Manja, Ambassador University. In Pogradec, he met with the Mayor, civil Michel Tarran emphasized that successful society and took part in a training session aimed at implementation requires co-ordination, funding and increasing the communication skills of media judges active stakeholder participation. - in charge of communication with media and public. 1 OSCE, Gjirokastra Uni present feasibility study
On 24 June, the Presence and Gjirokastra University presented the findings of a feasibility assessment for a Local Development Research Centre. The study identifies needs, opportunities and potential models for the establishment of an interdisciplinary research hub designed to support policy formulation, local economic and social development and regional capacity-building. Amb. Tarran emphasized the critical role such an initiative can play in addressing the appealing demographic issues of Southern Albania municipalities, being a contribution to the strengthening of Gjirokastra as a high education and research center and offering to the youth dynamic professional perspectives with the local governance, notably concerning the economic development.
Media judges trained on public communication
The OSCE Presence continues supporting the High Judicial Council to enhance media judges’ communication skills with the public and media, key to justice reform in Albania. On 26 and 27 June, an advanced training in Pogradec gathered media judges from Courts of First Instance and Appeal, alongside media experts, to improve media communication techniques. High Judicial Council Chair Ilir Rusi and Ambassador Michel Tarran highlighted the importance of co-operation and capacity-building. The training focused on public communication methods, managing public trust, regular communication channels and clear messaging.
Journalists strengthen skills on security reporting
Eleven journalists from different media outlets participated in a training aiming to enhance the quality of reporting on incidents related to small arms and light weapons (SALW), with a specific focus on gender-based violence, on 3 June. A newly-published handbook by the OSCE Presence, titled “Beyond the headlines: A journalist’s guide to reporting on security, SALW and gender- based violence in Albania” was presented during the training and used as a key resource. The training was part of the Presence’s small arms and light weapons project funded by the EU, Germany and France.
Constitutional Court jurisprudence published Building trust between media and police The Constitutional Court of Albania, with OSCE Presence support, released the second volume of the Guide of Constitutional Court Case Law, on 24 June. The publication covers Court’s jurisprudence from 1992 to 2024. The first volume, published in February 2024, focused on individual constitutional complaints for the period 1998-2023. The Presence supported the drafting of the two volumes as part of its project “Strengthening rule of law and promoting protection of human rights in Albania through support to the Constitutional Court” funded by the USA, Italy and Greece.
OSCE donates IT and media equipment to CEC
In May and June, the OSCE Presence donated advanced IT and media equipment to the Central Election Commission (CEC). This donation contributes to strengthening the CEC’s capacities for electoral-related tasks, including in-country and out-of-country voting counting process, data management and processing, media production and trainings through modern tools and technology. The donation was made possible as part of the Presence’s project “Support to electoral reform and processes in Albania” funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE www.reallygreatsite.com and Poland. +123-456-7890 123 Anywhere St., Any City 2 Presence finalizes anti-trafficking roundtables
From 5 to 18 June, the OSCE Presence in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency for Child Rights and Protection and the State Labour Inspectorate, held five local-level roundtable to address child trafficking and prevention of human trafficking in the supply chains, bringing together 65 professionals. To address the gaps identified during the roundtables held from March to June, the Presence developed a Manual on Child Labour Inspections in Albania, which draft was introduced on 12 June - World Day Against Child Labour – in a meeting of the Head of Presence with the Chief Labour Inspector.
Police trained on human trafficking investigations
Building on the success of the first cascade training in February 2025, the Presence completed the second cycle of its Mentorship Programme for the State Police to combat human trafficking. From 22 May to 27 June, previously trained officers trained sixty police officers and psychologists across Albania on investigation techniques and trauma-informed interviewing. This initiative is part of the Presence’s project to strengthen Albania’s law enforcement and prosecution capacities against human trafficking, funded by the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy and Ireland.
Nationwide training boosts school safety
To help make schools safer, the OSCE Presence organized a nationwide soft skills training series equipping 60 school security officers with tools to foster trust and safety on school premises. Through sessions held in Durrës, Tirana and Vlora, from 14 to 28 June, participants enhanced their skills in conflict de- escalation and mediation; effective communication; emotional resilience and stress management; building trust and positive relations within school communities. The interactive training included group discussions and real-life simulations to equip officers with practical tools.
Preventing radicalization, violent extremism Building trust between media and police 135 police officers from Berat, Vlora, Fier, Saranda and Gjirokastra participated in training sessions on preventing radicalization and violent extremism. Organized with the National Co-ordination Centre on CVE from May to June, the sessions equipped officers from community policing, border and patrol units with skills to identify early signs. The training emphasized community engagement, trust- building and multi-agency referral mechanisms to ensure swift intervention. This initiative strengthens law enforcement’s ability to protect communities and enhance national security.
Strengthening police oversight
Fifteen staff members of the Police Oversight Agency participated in a training session focused on ethics, human rights, corruption and procedural and investigative practices relevant to the Agency’s work, on 4 June. This marks the third consecutive year that the OSCE Presence in Albania organizes such training sessions to enhance the professional capacities of the Agency’s staff in fulfilling their mission. The session aimed to further strengthen the professional competencies of the Agency’s staff, equipping them with enhanced tools and knowledge to perform www.reallygreatsite.com their oversight role effectively and +123-456-7890 123inAnywhere line with international St., Any City standards. 3 Boosting fight against crypto money laundering
On 23–24 June, the OSCE Presence organized a training to boost Albania’s capacity to tackle money laundering through cryptocurrencies. Experts from Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, State Police and Carabinieri led the sessions, in co‑operation with the Italian Embassy. Participants from SPAK, General Prosecutor’s Office, State Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Financial Intelligence Agency and Tax Investigation Directorate received hands‑on training to investigate and prevent crypto-related money laundering. The training followed a peer exchange between Albanian and Italian institutions in December 2024.
OSCE trains police on financial crime analysis
In support of Albania’s National Strategy for the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, the OSCE Presence organized a three-day training programme on sectorial analysis on financial crimes, from 17 to 19 June 2025. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the institutional capacity of the Albanian State Police, specifically of the Anti-Money Laundering Sector within the General Directorate. The training provided 12 officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to conceive and draft sectoral analyses in the field of economic and financial crime.
Firearms deactivation exchange in France
Four officers of the Albanian State Police participated in an exchange visit on the deactivation and neutralization of firearms, in Saint-Étienne, France, from 25 to 28 May. The OSCE Presence organized the visit as part of its small arms and light weapons project – funded by the European Union, Germany and France – and in co-operation with the Banc National d’Épreuve des armes, a certified European institution for firearm deactivation. The Albanian delegation visited the deactivation workshop and discussed numerous deactivation aspects with the French experts.
Empowering Local Youth Councils Building trust between media and police Young representatives from Local Youth Councils gathered in Shkodra for a three- day workshop on youth participation and peacebuilding, from 26 to 28 June. Organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the Minister of State for Youth and Children and the OSCE Presence, the event focused on challenges and opportunities for youth engagement. Participants engaged in group work to develop and pitch community projects. The workshop emphasized the importance of dialogue, reflection and action to empower youth. It concluded with calls to build bridges between communities and promote an inclusive society.
Mentoring the Youth Advisory Group
A 6-month mentorship programme for members of the OSCE Presence’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) wrapped up on 20 June. The programme linked YAG members with OSCE Presence staff as mentors, aiming to foster both personal and professional development of the young people. The participants enhanced their soft skills, gained valuable insights into career opportunities and built connections with the Presence’s staff. The OSCE Presence remains committed to create opportunities to empower young people in Albania through future similar programmes. www.reallygreatsite.com +123-456-7890 123 Anywhere St., Any City 4