As part of the initiative to increase road safety, the EKO Mendje organization organized an educational activity with the children of the “Dëshmoret e Prishtines” school in Shkodra. The activity took place in the school yard and consisted of the awareness-raising game “Searching for the House”, which aimed to teach children how to follow road signs to move safely home. Through the game, the children were involved in practical situations where they identified road signs, zebra crossing and signals, gaining basic knowledge about careful behavior on the road. The activity was accompanied by positive energy, cooperation and a lot of enthusiasm from the participating students and teachers.  

15 professionals from local institutions, part of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism of the 7 Municipalities of Elbasan District, were active participants in the meeting that the Elbasan Women’s Forum held online on October 29, 2025 with the Regional Network with the 7 Interdisciplinary Technical Teams of the Municipalities of Elbasan District. During the meeting, 8 cases under Protection Orders (women and children) were discussed to support them according to their needs, as well as to share positive practices developed while working with cases of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence. This activity was organized within the framework of the project “Partnership between the State Police, local actors and the community regarding Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence in the Elbasan District”, supported by the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme.  

SCPA PMT organised a study visit in cooperation with the Brandenburg Federal State Police and Police Academy on 20-24 October 2025, in the framework of the Programme work plan. The study visit was addressed to managers of the Albanian State Police and aimed at sharing EU best practices and exchange of information on community policing models – police engagement with communities to build trust and collect intelligence; organizational structures – understanding hierarchical models, decentralization and the role of specialized units; preventive policing approaches – focus on prevention rather than reaction; use of technology – use of databases, case management software, e-policing platforms in terms of data collection and analysis, training and professional standards. The delegation was received by the Deputy General Director of the Brandenburg Police, Mr. Jan Muller, and other colleagues from the visited organizational units. During the meetings, the representatives of the Albanian State Police and Security Academy were introduced to the working practices of the German police counterparts and also exchange their experiences. Besides the discussions, the delegation had the opportunity to observe practical demonstrations of the equipment and technology used, especially in the field of traffic police, training ranges at the Security Academy, management of public calls and management of emergency situations from the Command and Control and Room etc. A special presentation was dedicated to the preventive work that the police carried out with the community, especially with schools and the elderly.  

The National Center for Community Services (NCCS) organized a workshop on 24th October 2025 with the psychosocial staff and students of the “Mustafa Hoxha” High School in Cakran, as part of initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and promote a safe and inclusive environment in schools. The activity was organized in collaboration with social workers, the local police and social services, emphasizing the importance of cooperation for the well-being of young people. A special moment was the creation of the “Safety Club”, where students will engage in building a safe and violence-free school environment.  

On October 17, 2025, in the framework of the Grants Scheme, a meeting was organized with 8th and 9th grade students of the “Frymë Dashurie” school in Durres. Representatives of the State Police, school staff, students and representatives of the project team participated in this activity, by discussing concrete ways to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and to increase students’ awareness of safety in schools and communities. During the meeting, an open and interactive discussion was held with the students, where they shared examples from their daily lives, expressed their opinions on how communication and cooperation between students, teachers and police officers can be improved, how to increase safety in schools and communities, and how to prevent violence or conflicts in schools. The discussions and presentations emphasized the role of youth as important actors in building safer communities. This activity was held in the framework of the project “Strengthening Local Mechanisms for Improving Cooperation and Public Safety in the Durres Region” which is being implemented by the Center for Development and Social Initiatives.  

On October 17, 2025, the Albanian Center for Family Development organised an awareness session at the “16 Shtatori” Public High School in Shijak, as part of the project “Awareness and Engagement of Youth for Safety and Education”. After the theoretical part in the classroom, the youth experienced the consequences of an accident through a car simulator, an experience that made them reflect deeply on the importance of safe behavior on the road. “I had never thought how much a second of caution is worth” – said a student after the simulation. With the support of experts and the police officers from Durres LPD, the activity aimed to strengthen the sense of responsibility and the role of young people in creating a safer traffic culture.  

The “Gender, Peace and Security” Association, on 22nd October 2025, organized an awareness-raising meeting with the youth of the “Jan Kukuzeli” Art School, Durres, in the framework of the implementation of the “Community Policing” project. During the activity, the youth discussed their concept of violence and were informed about the forms and institutions responsible for reporting violence. Information was provided on the legal measures for the perpetrator and the importance of reporting, while also emphasizing the existing services for victims. The representative of the Local Police Directorate once again emphasized the importance of the role of the police and cooperation with other institutions in managing cases of domestic and gender-based violence.  

The Elbasan Women’s Forum, on 15 October 2025, in the framework of the project “Partnership between the State Police, local actors and the community regarding Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence, in the Elbasan Region”, supported by the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme, held an awareness meeting with participants from the community and local institutions in the Prrenjas Municipality. During the meeting, in addition to men, women and youth from the community, the Community Policing Specialist, the Coordinator against Violence and the Child Protection Unit employee were also present. At this meeting, the role of the police, the role of public institutions of local government, challenges, problems and the importance of taking responsibility by all parties for better order and security were discussed. Some of the challenges and suggestions that emerged from the community meetings were damage to shared property, emigration and long-distance marriage and the fact that  gender-based violence continues to be considered a family/private matter, etc.  

On 17 October 2025, in the framework of the Grants’ Scheme, a meeting was organized with students at the “Jusuf Puka” High School in Durrës. Representatives of the State Police, school staff, students and representatives of the project team participated in this activity by discussing concrete ways to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and increase students’ awareness of safety in schools and the community. During the meeting, an open and interactive discussion was held with the students, where they shared examples from their daily lives, expressed their opinions on how communication and cooperation between students, teachers and police officers can be improved, how to increase safety in schools and communities, and how to prevent violence or conflicts in schools. These interactions help build mutual trust and a culture of cooperation, making youth more aware and active in creating a safe school and community environment. This activity was held in the framework of the project “Strengthening Local Mechanisms for Improving Cooperation and Public Safety in the Durres Region” which is being implemented by the Center for Development and Social Initiatives.  

On 15-17 October 2025, second group of the General Patrol Officers and Command and Control Room personnel from Gjirokastra Local Police Directorate participated in the training delivered by SCPA PMT in the Gjirokastra LPD premises. During this training the trainees were introduced to both theoretical and practical exercises and group work by focusing on CP philosophy and implementation of its elements into the daily routine of ASP officers. In addition, they were presented with situations/practical exercises to be handled with and solved by them as they work in groups with the aim of providing measures to be taken proactively in order to implement the CP elements. Special attention was given to the theoretical and practical treatment of cases of Domestic Violence. In order to provide a comprehensive training module on CP SCPA cooperated with CVE, whose experts provided interactive lecturing on Countering Violent Extremism. Best EU practices on CP philosophy implementation were shared with the ASP officers. At the end of such training the ASP officers are able to enhance their knowledge and capacities on implementation of CP.