The “Strengthening Community Policing in Albania” (SCPA) Program, in collaboration with the Cybercrime Investigation Directorate of the Albanian State Police, held a training on “Cybercrime and Cyberbullying” on November 25 and 27, 2025, with two separate groups of CPOs Educators. The training was interactive, where the head and experts of the Cybercrime structure shared their professional knowledge and experiences on online security. Participants had the opportunity to be be informed and openly discuss concrete cases of cybercrime and cyberbullying, as well as effective ways of responding and reporting to the law enforcement structures. The aim of the training was to increase the capacities of the CPOs Educators, equipping them with the necessary knowledge to act as trainers and key factors in informing and raising awareness of youth in schools and communities on the risks of the digital space. This initiative aims to strengthen online safety and increase the protection of young people against cyber threats.  

On 19-21 November 2025, second 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 11-13 November 2025, General Patrol Officers and Command and Control Room personnel from Vlora Local Police Directorate participated in the training delivered by SCPA PMT in the Saranda Police Commissariat 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.  

On 11 November 2025, ‘Epoka e Re’ (New Era)  NGO, in the framework of the SCPA Program grants’ scheme, organised the recurring workshop in the Municipality of Mallakastra with the participation of the managers of the Directorates of Education, Social Services, Civil Emergencies, Municipal Police and Infrastructure, as well as with the presence of the Deputy Mayor of the Municipality Ms. Etilda Disha and representatives of the Mallakastra Police Commissariat. The findings of the study on public safety were presented at the meeting and the concrete problems that the municipality has encountered during this period were discussed. The workshop serves as a preparatory phase for the next meeting of the Local Council on Public Safety (LCPS), strengthening cooperation between institutions for a safer community.  

The National Center for Community Services (NCCS), a grantee in the first round of the grants’ scheme, organised on 7–8 November 2025 in Portëz, Fier, the first two-day training in the framework of the project “Increasing the efficiency and quality of service for victims of DV and GBV.” This training was dedicated to women and girls, providing them with practical knowledge and skills for employment, professional development and economic independence, a concrete step towards women’s empowerment and their active inclusion in the community. This activity was held 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 in the first round of the Grants’ Scheme.

On 4th November 2025, in the framework of the Grants’ Scheme, the next meeting was organized with students from Durrës District schools, in the premises of the “Dhosi Liperi” General High School. Representatives of the Durrës Local Police Directorate, teachers, the school psychologist and security officer, representatives of the project team and the mobile unit of the Vatra organization for the Durrës district participated in this activity. Discussions with students focused on topics related to their safety at school and in the community, including internet safety, the risk of using narcotics, bullying, trafficking, as well as the importance of cooperation with community police to build a safer environment inside and outside the school. This meeting aims to increase youth awareness of safety and strengthen cooperation between the school, the community and public order structures. The activity convened in the framework of the project “Strengthening Local Mechanisms for Improving Cooperation and Public Safety in the Durrës Region” which is being implemented by the Center for Development and Social Initiatives.  

On 05-07 November 2025, third 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.  

On November 6th, 2025, the National Center for Community Services (NCCS) held an awareness-raising workshop at the middle school “Naun Kacaku” in Portez, Fier, with the school’s psychosocial staff and students. The activity focused on preventing gender-based violence and strengthening the sense of security in school environments. During the activity, the importance of close cooperation between local institutions – the Fier Local Education Office, the local police, social services and psychosocial workers – was emphasized, in order to build a supportive, safe and inclusive school environment for children and youth. Students had the opportunity to openly discuss ways in which they can react to situations of violence and how to support each other in times of difficulty. An inspiring moment of the day was the creation of the “Safety Club”, which will serve as a space for ideas and concrete actions towards a school without violence. This activity is part of the project “Increasing the efficiency and quality of service by the Albanian State Police, local actors and the community for victims of DV and GBV”, implemented by NCCS in the framework of the SCPA program grants’ scheme.  

Under this motto, with the initiative of the Ministry of Interior and the participation of the Cybercrime Investigation Directorate of the Albanian State Police, the Swedish Program “Strengthening Community Policing in Albania” (SCPA) held an awareness-raising meeting with students, teachers and Security Officers of the “Sami Frashëri” and “Ismail Qemali” high schools in Tirana. The meeting was interactive and in the form of a conversation, where students were introduced to concrete cases of cybercrime and cyberbullying, had the opportunity to openly discuss and ask questions to police officers who deal with such cases daily. Although sometimes these situations seem like something out of a movie, they are actually present in the Albanian society, among youth. Something that starts as a game has the potential to very quickly turn into a criminal offense with very serious consequences for friends, acquaintances or the surrounding environment. Students were introduced not only to the forms of cybercrime, but also to ways of preventing, reporting and referring cases to law enforcement agencies. The aim of the training was to raise awareness for a safer internet, protect youth online and empower them to react to any form of cyber abuse.

As part of the initiative to increase road safety, the EKO Mendje organization organized an exhibition with photographs, statistics and educational messages on one of the busiest streets of the city of Shkodra. The activity was also accompanied by artistic performances on the street with the participation of circus actors, to attract the attention of the public in a positive and interactive way. Practical demonstrations of crossing according to road signs were also held and awareness-raising brochures for pedestrians and drivers were distributed. Students from several educational institutions in the city, such as the “28 Nëntori” high school, the “Oso Kuka” high school, the “Deshmoret e Prishtines” school, the “Borë Bardha” kindergarten, as well as volunteers and coordinators of EKO Mendje and youth from the community, participated in these activities. The activities were carried out in cooperation with the Traffic Police and the Municipal Police of the city of Shkodra, which provided support and security during the implementation on the ground. These activities, in addition to coverage on social networks, were also broadcasted by local media, spreading at a wider range the message of caution and respect for traffic rules and presenting the project made possible by the SCPA Program.