Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The project aims to sustainably improve the living conditions of 160 families and vulnerable children in the regions of Fier, Korca, Lezha and Shkodra in Albania, to prevent their engagement in unsafe migration and to facilitate their reintegration by improving their access to quality social services, education, vocational and income generating opportunities. It also aims at increasing the capacities of 50 professionals in Albania to ensure the reintegration of returned families and to work closely with families at risk of unsafe migration.

Expected results

The project is expected to:

• Sustainably improve the conditions of 80 vulnerable children and families in Albania at risk of unsafe migration

• Facilitate the reintegration of another 80 returned children and families from Albania by improving their access to quality social services, vocational and income generating activities (IGA).

• 80 children from these two groups (both at risk of unsafe migration and returned children) will benefit from educational support through after school lessons – helping their inclusion, integration and learning.

• Strengthen the capacities of at least 50 professionals in Albania who are working with and for returned or at risk families.

Target group / Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries include:

• 160 families, vulnerable children and young people;

• 50 professionals from Regional State Social Services, public service providers including educational institutions, health centres, vocational training centres, community centres, non-governmental service providers, Community Based Organizations, community groups, Regional Anti-Trafficking Committees, Law enforcement and border police in the 4 target regions;

• 4 local Social Workers will be recruited and supported;

• 4 teachers

Indirect beneficiaries:

In addition to the 160 families who will be directly supported in the Community Centres with targeted activities, all children, young people and families in the focus areas and who access the 4 Community Centres will benefit from improved Local Social Services. The 4 recruited and trained Social Workers and teachers will help to identify and refer potential cases at risk, for IGAs and other public services available. The project will build the capacities of related staff to offer diversified community-based support services to children and parents to prevent emigration and to support reintegration of returned children into family and community life.

The 50 trained professionals from Albanian State Social Services staff, Regional Social Services staff, Child Protection Unit staff and Albanian law enforcement and border police and local NGOs at the local level in the four regions will go on to apply and support many cases of vulnerable and returned children and families by applying the social enquiry assessment format, procedures and individual plans of action in the future.

Activities

The project is structured around 3 axes of intervention which are prevention, capacity building and evidenced-based advocacy.

It includes activities such as: sensitization and awareness-raising activities, activities to enhance the early detection of children at risk, empowerment of local NGOs, vulnerable community members and children themselves, interventions to prevent risks and to offer alternatives to vulnerable families, training, coaching and mentoring for child protection workes, etc.

Context

The Albanian State Social Services (SSS) is a key project partner, and stakeholder. As the implementing agency of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth in the field of social care legislation and policies, SSS’ engagement ensures the project is sustainable and contributes to priority areas identified in key policies (National Employment and Skills Strategy and Action plan 2014 -2020; and Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth 2015-2020 National Action Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptians in Albania).