Tirana, 09 January 2025 – The European Union continues to play an important role in strengthening social care in Albania, most notably through the EU4SocialCare programme. Funded by the EU and implemented by UNICEF and World Vision in Albania, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, this three-year programme aims to expand and enhance community-based and specialised social care services for children and families facing social challenges. To this end, a recent ceremony marked the official launch of partnerships between 14 municipalities and 13 civil society organizations, which will benefit from a total of 1.47 million EUR in support.

Emphasizing the critical importance of these efforts, Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Albania, stated: “With our support 14 municipalities in Albania will establish or expand community-based and specialised social services for children and other vulnerable groups. And this is precisely the objective we should have in mind as Albania makes progress towards joining the EU – accession is not only fulfilling economic criteria, but more importantly, building an inclusive society that is welcoming and catering for everyone, no matter their background. A society that will leave no one behind.”

He further remarked that EU integration extends beyond administrative processes, as it requires tangible improvements in the lives of people throughout Albania’s local communities.

Through the newly launched initiatives, the EU4SocialCare program will support mobile units providing services to marginalized groups, multifunctional centers, and specialized social care services for children with disabilities, victims of violence, minorities, and unemployed youth. These initiatives exemplify the transformative power of combining compassion with innovation at the local level, aligning strongly with the EU’s broader vision of an inclusive and equitable society.

Alongside the EU-funded efforts, the Albanian Government, through the State Social Services, has signed cooperation agreements with 11 municipalities that will be financially supported in 2025 under the Social Fund. This mechanism bolsters the existing basket of social services and facilitates the creation of new ones to address diverse needs within families and communities.

Reiterating the importance of human capital development, Mr. Murat Şahin, Representative of UNICEF Albania, highlighted the need to empower social services in order to support vulnerable groups effectively: “EU integration doesn’t happen in the corridors and offices of our institutions; it happens at the local level and in the lives of people that we are supporting and working with.”

In partnership with the EU and the Albanian Government, UNICEF’s work under the EU4SocialCare program focuses on strengthening the social service workforce and ensuring that no one—especially children—falls through the cracks.