The SCPA Programme Management Team (PMT), in cooperation with representatives of the Albanian State Police (ASP), organised the second session of the workshop series entitled “Improving the System of Statistics Produced and Used by Public Order Structures.” The Working Group members continued to work closely with the aim of establishing a functional public order and safety statistics system. During this session the participants concentrated on the data useful to the police by reviewing the relevant statistics forms and sharing experience and information on the enhancement of the content of the public order statistics forms. The Working Group will continue its cooperation with the aim of enhancing the accuracy, reliability, comparability, and effective use of public order and safety statistics.  

On 28th January 2026, the Local Council on Public Safety (LCPS) meeting was held in the Municipality of Malesi e Madhe, Shkodra marking the first meeting for 2026. This meeting was organised in the framework of the implementation of the Grant Scheme in cooperation with the organization “Woman to Woman” and with the participation and cooperation of representatives from the local level institutions such as the municipality, police organization and education system. The meeting focused on the presentation and discussion of the results of the Local Safety Measurement System (LSMS), based on data collected from the survey of citizens in two sub-areas of the municipality. The representatives of the SCPA Programme emphasized the importance of inter-institutional cooperation at the local level, as a key element for effectively addressing public safety issues. It was also emphasized that the study should not be seen only as a statistical report, but as a practical data tool, through which local institutions can reflect on issues that citizens perceive as positive, as well as on areas where more attention and institutional support are required. Discussions among the members of the KVSP focused on community perceptions of security, and identified concerns that would be further addressed through coordinated work between local structures. The meeting contributed to strengthening inter-institutional dialogue and laid the foundations for identifying priorities and concrete interventions in order to increase community security and trust.  

Professionals from local institutions part of the Regional Network with 7 ITT (Interdisciplinary Technical Team) of the Municipalities of Elbasan District were active participants in the meeting that the Elbasan Women’s Forum organized on January 29, 2026. During the meeting, cases and challenges of their management by the Court, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Elbasan Local Police Directorate and the 7 Local Violence Coordinators in the 7 Municipalities of Elbasan District were presented. This meeting was also a good opportunity to share positive practices developed during the work with cases of Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence among the 7 ITT of the Municipalities of Elbasan District. This activity was held 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”, part of the Program Grant Scheme.  

On January 20, 2026, in the framework of the Grant Scheme, a meeting was organized with students at the “Fiqiri Kurti” school in Kavaja. Together with the staff and directors of the school and employees of the Kavaja Police Station, the meeting was held in the format of a presentation and open discussion on the security package and ways to improve the communication and response mechanism in cases related to security in schools. The meeting was attended by about 50 students, who contributed with questions and ideas on how security in school premises and in the community can be improved. During the discussion, the issue of security in schools and community policing was discussed, encouraging reflection and awareness among students about their role in preventing incidents. Cooperation practices between schools and law enforcement structures were also presented to build a safer and more cooperative environment. This activity was organised 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 January 22, 2026, the Local Council on Public Safety (LCPS) in Elbasan, in collaboration with NGO ‘Tjetër Vizion’, organised a conversational meeting with youth of the Local Youth Council of the Municipality of Elbasan, creating a space for dialogue on the concrete challenges and needs of public safety in the community. The meeting emphasized the role of youth as key actors in preventing and reporting incidents, especially in school environments. In this context, the contribution of the PARTNER project was presented through the development of an online application for reporting incidents in schools, which enables safe, rapid reporting and institutional follow-up of referred cases. During the activity, the Mayor of Elbasan, also the Chairman of the LCPS, presented the public safety situation in the municipality, referring to the findings of the study of citizen perception on public safety issues, carried out within the framework of the PARTNER project in the Elbasan region. This process has served as a basis for more informed interventions and local policies oriented towards the real needs of the community. This engagement proves that youth involvement, combined with digital tools and data-based decision-making, constitutes a concrete step towards building safer and more inclusive communities.  

On 23 January 2026, the SCPA Programme PMT, in cooperation with representatives from the Albanian State Police, organised a workshop focused on discussing the draft manual “Effective Methods and Practices for Developing Awareness-Raising Topics with Students.” The workshop brought together the Head of the Community Policing Sector, Public Order Directorate, and 10 Community Policing Educators. Participants worked collaboratively to review the draft manual and agree on its final updated version. In addition, PMT and ASP Community Policing Educators jointly reviewed and updated PowerPoint training modules aimed at raising awareness with students on drug, alcohol, and smoking prevention, traffic and road safety, bullying and cyberbullying. The workshop concluded with a shared agreement on strengthened tools and approaches and a shared commitment to effective, student-focused prevention and awareness.  

On 16 December 2025, a forum on crime prevention among youth was organized by the “Epoka e Re” (‘New Era’)  NGO, at the “Petro Sota” Vocational High School in Fier,  in the framework of the “Public Security Team 2 – Partner for a Safe Community” project, part of the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme. The purpose of this forum was to better understand the challenges faced by youth in the community, the behaviors that expose them to risk, and the importance of timely intervention through information, support, and inter-institutional cooperation. Representatives of the Fier Local Police Directorate, the area’s community policing officer, the principal of the “Petro Sota” school, the school psychologist, the Fier Probation Service lawyer, and the school’s pedagogical staff participated in the activity. During the forum, the main phenomena of crime affecting young people were addressed, ways of cooperation with educational institutions, as well as the importance of the active role of youth in reporting and preventing illegal behavior. It was also discussed about working with minors, behaviors that lead to conflict with the law and preventive measures aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of youth into the community. Special attention was paid to social factors that influence risky behavior, as well as the need for continuous support for families and young people, through close cooperation with schools and other institutions. At the end of the activity, an open and interactive discussion was held with students, who shared their perceptions of the risks in the community, the level of information they have on the laws and the consequences of dangerous behavior, as well as suggestions for improving the safety climate at school. The issues addressed emphasized the importance of early prevention, legal education, and psychosocial support as key elements for reducing crime and promoting social peace among youth.  

On 10th December 2025, in the framework of the 16 days of activism against GBV, the National Center for Community Services held an awareness-raising activity with students of the 9-year school “Halit Gremi” Fier. The children participated in interactive discussions on the forms of violence and the importance of preventing and reporting it. During the activity, leaflets with information on the forms of violence and inspiring messages were distributed, such as: “Don’t let anyone violate you”, “Report violence”, “Ask for help, you are not alone”. The purpose of this activity is to empower children with knowledge and information, as well as to support them in building a safe, friendly and inclusive environment such as in the family, at school and in the community by promoting respect and tolerance. This activity aimed to raise awareness about the prevention of domestic violence and gender-based violence, by strengthening cooperation between the State Police, local actors and the community. Students actively participated, distributed informational leaflets and discussed ways to create a safe, equal and respectful environment.

On 10-12 December 2025, fourth group of General Patrol Officers and Command and Control Room personnel from Vlora Local Police Directorate participated in the training delivered by SCPA PMT at Vlora Local Police Directorate 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 Coordination Center for Countering Violent Extremism (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.  

On 9th December 2025, an awareness-raising meeting was organised with 10th grade students, at the “Dodë Kaçaj” high school in Bajzë, Malesi e Madhe, by “Woman to Woman” NGO in the framework of the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme and the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. The activity aimed to strengthen students’ knowledge of community policing and the active role of young people in increasing security. At first, students were introduced to the principles of this model of cooperation between police and citizens, and then they were organized into four working groups that analysed real situations related to conflicts between young people, behavior on social networks, safety near schools, and perceptions of the police in the community. During the conversation, students noted that awareness of everyday behaviors and rapid response to unsafe situations can make a real difference in the community. The need for more clarity and support when youth face difficulties was also expressed, as well as the importance of the way of communication on social networks. During the discussions, they also identified the main actors in the management of problematic cases and proposed concrete ways of cooperation between the school, family, police and municipality.