The “Gender, Peace and Security” NGO held its second meeting on July 23rd 2025 with the working group for the Durres area with the participation of representatives from regions 1–4 and the Rrashbull administrative unit. The meeting was attended by social administrators, child protection workers, social workers from the Needs Assessment and Case Referral Unit, psychosocial service workers at health centers, as well as representatives from the Prefecture. The focus of the meeting was the discussion of concrete cases with the aim of addressing needs, increasing access to services for vulnerable categories, the need for community centers in each area, the role and workload of Community Policing Officers in handling cases of violence. The importance of inter-institutional cooperation and the role of the Prefecture as a key link between local and central institutions for addressing the needs of the community were also emphasized.  

In the framework of the project “Strengthening Cooperation and Interventions for the Prevention and Addressing of Domestic Violence”, the NGO “Gender, Peace and Security” organized an awareness-raising meeting with the community of the Rrashbull area in Durres. The meeting convened at the Rrashbull Multifunctional Community Center, attended by representatives of the Case Assessment and Needs Referral Unit (CANU), representatives from the Child Protection Unit, health center employees, and community members. The discussions focused on the concrete roles of each institution in supporting victims of violence, where participants had the opportunity to address questions and receive detailed information on the services offered. Although the Community Policing Specialist was not present, the role of the police in handling cases of violence was discussed and the importance of inter-institutional cooperation was emphasized. This activity aims to strengthen interaction between institutions and the community to build a safer and more supportive environment for all.  

On July 8, 2025, “Woman to Woman” NGO organized a workshop with members of the technical team of the Referral Mechanism in Malesi e Madhe, Shkodra. During the meeting, the challenges and achievements of the first half of 2025 were discussed through an interactive exercise. The participants addressed concrete cases, emphasizing the effective cooperation with the Malesi e Madhe Police Commissariat, as well as the difficulties related to the frequent reshuffling and threats to employees by the defendants in domestic violence court cases. The important role of the “Woman to Woman” emergency shelter in Shkodra was appreciated as a strong point of support for victims of violence. The employees expressed that there is a noticeable increase in awareness in the community and that women are reporting violence more than before. At the end of the meeting, as a recommendation for future work as well, it was emphasized that the fulfillment of duties by each actor contributes to resolving cases and providing concrete support to victims of violence.  

On July 9, 2025, ‘Social Center for Helping People in Need’ NGO organized a training for the staff of the municipality of Fushë-Arrez in the framework of the Project “TRUST: Together we act for the safety of our community!”. This activity was held with the participation of the staff of the Social Service Directorate of the Municipality of Fushe-Arrez, the Finance Directorate, the Multifunctional Community Center and the Administrative Units. The purpose of this activity was to train the staff of the municipality so that they are prepared to identify, report and treat potential cases of domestic violence, thus improving the local response to issues of safety and well-being of the community.  

On July 8, 2025 the NGO “Social Center for Helping People in Need” (QSNNN) organized a meeting with community representatives (women and girls) in Fushë-Arrëz in the framework of the Project “TRUST: Let’s Act Together for the Safety of Our Community!”. The purpose of this activity was to familiarize women and girls with the police services and other local institutions regarding victims of gender-based violence as well as preventive measures against domestic violence. The activity aimed to strengthen relations between the community and the state police by encouraging dialogue, cooperation for security and a sense of mutual support.  

On July 4, 2025 in the Administrative Unit of Portez in Fier, an information and awareness-raising meeting was held with the community in the framework of the project “Increasing the efficiency and quality of service by the State Police, local actors and the community for victims of DV and GBV”, implemented by the organization National Center for Community Services (NCCS). The meeting was attended by representatives of the State Police, the local unit, civil society organizations and residents of the area. The discussions focused on domestic and gender-based violence, emphasizing early intervention and the role of the police in supporting victims. The participants were informed about the reporting methods, the legal framework and the mechanisms for handling cases of violence. The need for closer inter-institutional cooperation, increasing trust among citizens and providing support services such as emergency shelter, legal aid and psychological support was underlined. This activity was carried out in the framework of the project “Increasing the quality of service for victims of GBV” which is being implemented by the NCCS Organization, a grantee of the first round of the Grant Scheme.

On July 3, the NGO “Social Center for Helping People in Need” (QSNNN) organized a meeting with community representatives (women and girls) in Fushe-Arrez in the framework of the Project “TRUST: Let’s Act Together for the Safety of Our Community!”. The purpose of this activity was to familiarize women and girls with the police services and other local institutions regarding victims of gender-based violence as well as preventive measures against domestic violence. The activity aimed to strengthen relations between the community and the state police by encouraging dialogue, cooperation for security and a sense of mutual support.  

An awareness-raising meeting was held in June with the community in the Mbrostar Administrative Unit, Fier by the staff of the organization NCCS (National Center for Community Services). Representatives of the State Police, employees of the Administrative Unit, representatives of civil society organizations and community members participated in this activity. The meeting focused on discussing issues related to domestic violence and gender-based violence, as well as the role of the police in the community for identification, prevention and protection in cases of violence. The attendees were informed about the reporting procedures and the role of referral mechanisms for victims, with special emphasis on the importance of inter-institutional cooperation. During the discussion, concrete cases and concerns related to the lack of reporting due to uncertainty or lack of information were shared, and the importance of early preventive intervention by the police and other local institutions was emphasized. The meeting highlighted the necessity to expand support services for victims, including emergency shelter, free legal aid and psychological support. This activity was carried out in the framework of the project “Increasing the quality of service for victims of GBV” which is being implemented by the NCCS NGO, a grantee of the first round of the Grants’ Scheme  

On June 26, 2025, the Association “Social Center for Helping People in Need” (QSNNN) Fushë-Arrëz organized a meeting with the Local Security Council (LSC) on the Community Policing Strategy as part of the activity “Roundtable, consultation and coordination with the Local Security Council (LCS)” within the framework of the Project “TRUST: Together we act for the Safety of our community!”. This activity was held with the participation of Mr. Limani – Head of the Puka Police Commissariat, Mr. Curri – Mayor of the Municipality of Fushë-Arrëz, Mr. Bardhoku and representatives of public institutions in Fushë-Arrëz, civil society, business entities, which are part of the LCS and other relevant stakeholders. The purpose of this activity was to strengthen cooperation between authorities, civil society and business entities in Fushë-Arrëz as part of the LSC to improve the implementation of the “Community Policing Strategy” in Fushë-Arrëz, aiming to increase public security and joint decision-making.

The Association “Gender, Peace and Security”, held on June 26, 2025, a meeting with the working groups established in the framework of the project “Strengthening Cooperation and Interventions for the Prevention and Addressing of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence through the Functioning of Local Mechanisms and Community Policing”. The meeting was attended by the social service providers of the administrative units of Sukth, Manez and Ishem, the Community Policing Officers (Zone Inspectors), the social administrators in Sukth and Manez and Ishem, the Child Protection Specialist, a representative of the health center, as well as the employee at the Community Center for Integrated Social Services for the Family in Sukth. This meeting created the opportunity to discuss concrete cases, but also to share the needs and problems that service providers encounter during their work, mainly related to overlapping tasks, lack of human resources and inadequacy of services.