The SCPA Program, in cooperation with the Tirana Local Police Directorate, on 2nd October 2025, organized a consultation meeting with relevant employees of all Police Commissariats, as well as with the heads of the relevant sectors, in order to strengthen cooperation and increase the quality of the work of CPO Educators in educating and engaging youth. During the meeting, the most effective ways to improve the quality of awareness topics were discussed, as well as the challenges related to inter-institutional cooperation between the Police, Education Directorates and civil society. The ongoing logistical support that the SCPA Program provides for these initiatives was also emphasized. Subsequently, important issues were addressed such as: improving and adapting presentations to the current time and context; expanding awareness topics to higher educational levels, such as ninth grades and high schools; increasing cooperation with school security officers; their involvement in addressing civic education topics. At the meeting it was agreed to establish joint groups to improve existing curricula, as well as to engage experts in the field to address specific topics, such as cyber safety, road safety, drug awareness, and personal safety. At the end of the meeting, it was concluded to continue communication and further coordination on potential issues and concrete steps to improve work with youth.  

On 30th September 2025, a workshop was organized on the evaluation of the work of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism for Domestic Violence (CRM) in the Municipality of Fier. The activity was organized by the National Center for Community Services (NCCS) and brought together representatives from the member institutions of the CRM Interdisciplinary Technical Team, local administrators of administrative units, the Local Coordinator against Domestic Violence of the Municipality of Fier, the Gender Mainstreaming Specialist and representatives from the Municipality of Fier, police officers from Fier Local Police Directorate and Police Commissariat, representatives from the Office of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, school psychologists, representatives of the Murialdo Social Center, representatives of the Directorate of Social Services, representatives of the Regional Directorate of Social Services of the Fier District and other members of the CRM. During the workshop the draft report was presented and the findings and recommendations regarding the activity of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism for Domestic Violence Cases in the Municipality of Fier were discussed with the participants.The report will serve to improve the work of the CRM for the effective management of gender-based violence cases, including domestic violence, as well as to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation between responsible institutions. This activity was organized within 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 National Center for Community Services (NCCS) and made possible by the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme.  

Together with the school staff and administrators and employees of the Kavaja Police Commissariat, the Center for Development and Social Initiatives held an open discussion on 30th September 2025 on public safety and ways to improve communication and response mechanisms in cases related to school safety. The meeting was attended by 10th grade students who brought ideas, questions and suggestions for increasing safety in school environments and in the community. They shared their personal experiences and participated in role-play presentations, simulating situations that may occur in everyday life, to reflect on ways of responding and cooperating with institutions. During the meeting, informative presentations were made on school safety and community policing, raising awareness among youth about their role in preventing various incidents. The students expressed interest in becoming more actively involved in civic education initiatives and in strengthening the culture of cooperation with law enforcement institutions. Cooperation practices between schools and law enforcement structures were also presented to build a safer environment. This activity was organized in the framework of the project “Strengthening Local Mechanisms for Improving Cooperation and Public Safety in the Durres Region” which aims to contribute to increasing public safety through strengthening cooperation between the State Police, local institutions and the community.  

On 25 September 2025, a meeting of the Interdisciplinary Technical Team of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism convened at the Bushat Administrative Unit, organized by “Woman to Woman” NGO in the framework of the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme. The meeting aimed to share strengths, address challenges related to the treatment of cases of violence and make proposals for improving the provision of services and inter-institutional cooperation. Representatives of member institutions of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism such as the Regional Employment Directorate in Shkodra, Shkodra Bailiff’s Office, Vau Dejes Labor Office, Vau Dejes Social Housing Office, Shkodra Prefect’s Institution and Shkodra District Council, non-governmental organizations, the Director of Social Services of Vau Dejes and the Local Coordinator against Domestic Violence at the Vau Dejes Municipality participated in this activity. During the discussions, difficulties were highlighted such as girls and women refusing employment, vulnerable groups, the lack of public transport that creates major limitations for the community, especially for the employment of women and the education of children, etc. In conclusion, the participants emphasized the need for timely budgeting of services for victim support and the need for community information and awareness.  

On 25th September 2025, the Albanian Center for Family Development organized an awareness session with students of the non-public high school ‘Rilindja’ in Durres, as part of the project “Awareness and Engagement of Youth for Safety and Education”. After a short presentation in class, the youth had the opportunity to try out the accident vehicle simulator. For some of them it was shocking, for others a very special experience: “Understanding the danger up close is completely different from hearing about it verbally”. With the support of safety experts and representatives of the Durres Local Police Directorate, as well as the school staff, the youth reflected on their behaviors and the role that each one has in preventing risks. The activity aimed to give the youth a voice in promoting a more conscious and responsible traffic culture.  

The “Gender, Peace and Security” Association organized its upcoming awareness-raising meeting with youth from the Manez High School on 26th September 2025. During this activity, some of the issues that concern the community were discussed, with a special focus on violence and the role of the police in managing cases of violence. Youth were informed about ways to identify signals of violence, as well as the relevant institutions where it can be reported, not only in cases of domestic violence and gender-based violence, but also violence among peers. Special attention was paid to the sharing of legal information adapted for the youth.  

A meeting of the Interdisciplinary Technical Team of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism convened on 24th September 2025 in Shkodra, organized by “Woman to Woman” NGO in the framework of the SCPA Program Grants’ Scheme. The meeting aimed to address the challenges related to the treatment of cases of violence and the protection of vulnerable groups in the community. This event was attended by representatives of the Coordinated Referral Mechanism member institutions such as the Local Education Office, the Regional Directorate of Health Services, the Local Police Directorate, the Regional Directorate of Employment Shkodra, the State Social Service, non-governmental organizations, the Vocational Training Center and the Local Coordinator at the Shkodra Municipality. During the discussions, a number of challenges were identified, among which the most important were the lack of budget for social services, limited housing capacities for victims of violence, difficulties in implementing parent-child meetings and the lack of support for mental health. Concerns were also raised about bias in the preparation of risk assessment reports and judicial decisions that often undermine the victim protection process. In conclusion, the participants emphasized the need for increased financial support, standardization of procedures at local and national levels, and strengthening cooperation between institutions. The recommendations emerging from this meeting are expected to contribute to improving the functioning of the Mechanism and providing more effective support to individuals and families in need.

On 24th September 2025, the Albanian Center for Family Development organized an awareness session with students of the ‘Turgut Ozal’ College in Durres, as part of the project “Awareness and Engagement of Youth for Safety and Education”. The students initially received theoretical information in class, and then participated with great energy and curiosity in a concrete demonstration of the consequences of road accidents through a vehicle simulator. With the support of safety experts and representatives of the Durres Local Police Directorate, as well as school staff, the youth reflected on their behaviors and the role that each one has in preventing risks. The activity aimed to give voice to youth in promoting a more conscious and responsible traffic culture, an experience that made them reflect deeply. For some it was a strong emotion, for others an unforgettable lesson. “I had never thought about how you feel when you’re involved in an accident, even though it was a simulation, it was a call for caution.” – says one of the participating students.  

A meeting was organized with students at the “16 Shtatori” Shijak High School, on 26th September 2025, in the framework of the Grants’ Scheme. Together with the staff and leaders of the school and employees of the Shijak Police Commissariat, the meeting was organised 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 organized 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 24-26 September 2025, the second group of the General Patrol Officers and Command and Control Room personnel from Berat Local Police Directorate participated in the training delivered by SCPA PMT in the Berat 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.