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.  

On September 22, 2025, the “Unemployed Northeastern Woman” organized a march in Puka to raise awareness among school and community students about respecting traffic rules and road safety. The students marched in the city with banners and other awareness-raising tools in order to raise awareness on road safety and cooperation and consolidation of partnerships between the police, schools, local institutions and communities, focusing on youth, as initiatives in the field of road traffic safety and community safety in general. This activity was attended by representatives from the local government, the Deputy Mayor of Puka Municipality, the Director of the Local Education Office, representatives of the police and the community policing sector, community members, etc. Representatives of the institutions participating in the activity distributed messages about intersectoral cooperation and community safety.  

On 22nd September 2025, at the premises of the “Gender, Peace and Security” Association, the incoming meeting was organized 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”, part of the Grant Scheme – Round 1. The meeting was attended by representatives of local service-providing institutions of administrative units 4,5,6 of the city of Durres, such as Zone Policing Officers, social workers of the Needs Assessment and Case Referral Unit, medical staff and psychologists of health centers, employees of the Child Protection Unit and staff from Community Centers. The issue of sheltering victims of violence, the obstacles and challenges encountered in this regard, and the importance of increasing the involvement of women in the police ranks were of importance during the discussions at the meeting. This meeting, in addition to creating the opportunity to discuss the needs and problems in case management, also served as a bridge and opportunity for cooperation among actors, as well as awareness in the community.  

On 18 September 2025, the Albanian Center for Family Development organized an awareness session with students of the “Jan Kukuzeli” High School in Durrës, as part of the project “Awareness and Engagement of Youth for Safety and Education”. Over 40 students received theoretical information on road traffic rules in class, and then participated in a concrete demonstration of the consequences of road accidents through a vehicle simulator, which served as a starting point for open discussions on road safety. With the support of safety experts and representatives of the Durres Local Police Directorate, as well as school staff, youth reflected on their behaviors and the role that each one has in preventing risks. The activity aimed to give young people a voice in promoting a more conscious and responsible traffic culture. One of the students said: “It was like a bell that wakes you up and says: be careful, a small mistake can endanger your life.”  

The Elbasan Women’s Forum, on 18th September 2025, in the framework of the project “Partnership between the State Police, local actors and the community regarding Gender-Based Violence, in the Elbasan region”, gathered participants from the community and local institutions in the Belsh Municipality in an awareness-raising meeting . In addition to representatives from the community, the meeting was also attended by Community Policing Officers, the Violence Coordinator at the Belsh Municipality, the Child Protection Unit employee, representatives from the Administrative Units, village chief elders and school security officers. At this meeting, discussions were carried out on the role of the police in guaranteeing public safety, cooperation with the community, the role of public institutions of local government, challenges, problems and the importance of taking responsibility by all parties for better public order and security.  

On 17-19 September 2025, 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.