Three new projects funded by European Union

Save the Children launched three new projects funded by the European Union. Through ‘Count Us In’ project Save the Children will promote social inclusion of Roma and Egyptian children in Shkodra district and will ensure that Roma/Egyptian children in street situation benefit from enhanced social inclusive services and policies provided and implemented by local Civil Society Organizations and public institutions. “Institutional Development of Restorative Justice and victim offender Mediation for juveniles in Albania” project will support juveniles in contact with law to have access to quality restorative justice as a result of strengthened capacities of Albanian authorities and civil society organizations in six regions.

Through “Unlocking the Pot of Resources for Children’s Rights in Albania” project, Save the Children will promote an increase in public investment for children by influencing budget planning and monitoring of expenditures in four regions.

These projects interventions aim to ensure positive and lasting changes to children’s lives focusing to the most marginalized. They encourage active participation of civil society in contributing to and in monitoring the fulfillment of Albania’s obligations under the EU Albania Stabilization Agreement. This particularly regards to improvement of children’s rights situation and ensuring a country free of discrimination on the grounds of gender or ethnic origin, and the respect of human rights; supporting juveniles in accessing quality restorative justice and diversion of cases from institutions to mediation; and significantly increasing public resources for children. Through these projects Save the Children will enable children, civil society organizations and authorities to raise their voice and actively involve in bringing changes in children’s lives providing them with the necessary legal framework and capacities to conduct initiatives and projects actions effectively. Authorities’ capacities will be enhanced to ensure appropriate implementation of policies in benefit of children.  

Actors and institutions concerned will be able to document and share their expertise and best practices, as well as to network in order to harmonize their policies and lead to effective advocacy on human rights and to give visibility to the voices of local communities at scale.

Background: Main projects interventions are:

 “Count us In” project (IPA 2012-Civil Society Facility – Civic Initiative and Capacity Building)

• Capacity building for key child protection professionals and  local Civil Society Organizations (Roma/Non-Roma) in Shkodra district to enhance a coordinated response in support to Roma and Egyptian children
• Ensure access to basic services for Roma and Egyptian children in street situation provided by a Drop-In Centre and referral to available public and non public services.

• Awareness raising with local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)to address disparities and remove obstacles to meaningful social inclusion of Roma and Egyptian communities.

“Institutional Development of Restorative Justice and Victim offender Mediation for juveniles in Albania” project (IPA 2012-Civil Society Facility – Civic Initiative and Capacity Building)

   A study at national level on the impact and effects of Restorative Justice for Juveniles in Albania aiming that data and information to feed  into the institutional and public awareness campaign and the expected legislative changes in juvenile justice.

        Drafting of four protocols on diversion mechanism and lobby for their approval and implementation aiming to divert   juveniles in contact with the law from institutions cases to mediation.

    Training program for juvenile justice professionals on case management and effective use of diversion schemes for juveniles in conflict with the law.

   Lobbying and advocacy activities to improve legislation on diversion and Restorative Justice for juveniles and provision of technical expertise to the relevant institutions to improve the effective application of the legislation.

 “Unlocking the Pot of Resources for Children’s Rights in Albania” project (EIDHR, Country-Based Support Scheme (CBSS) 2012-2013

      Budget analysis and review of the national plan of action for children to identify main achievements and gaps in the implementation of children’ rights in Albania.

      Capacity building for CSOs and Child groups to enable them to participate in budgeting process and advocate for the importance of budgeting and spending for children at central level.

      Capacity building and awareness raising of central governments officials and politicians on the value of allocating adequate resources for children.

      Lobby with parliamentary members to ensure desired increase in state budget for children.