Albania, 19-23 August 2024 – During the week of 19-23 August, IOM was pleased to welcome a Delegation of Tajikistan, with representatives from government authorities and partner NGOs, to Albania. Facilitated by the IOM Tajikistan, this study visit was organized under the "Safe Migration and Countering Trafficking in Persons" project.

Throughout the week, the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions and site visits with Albanian authorities and local organizations, focusing on anti-trafficking efforts, victim support, and the role of civil society in combating human trafficking.

The group of stakeholders from the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment, the State Committee for National Security, the Drug Control Agency, the Customs Service, as well as partner NGOs and IOM Tajikistan staff, met with the Ministry for Interior of Albania–the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator–to share experiences on the legal framework, cooperation with civil society and private sector as well as on identifying challenges, opportunities, and innovative approaches in the field of safe migration and anti-trafficking efforts. 

On the second day, a meeting with the National Coalition of Anti-Trafficking Shelters (NCATS) was organized at the Different and Equal NGO Offices. The Delegation of Tajikistan was acquainted with the Albanian model of service provision, the Victims Advisory Board and the Mobile Units model. They also visited the “Different & Equal”, shelter in Tirana to understand the rehabilitation and reintegration services provided, including psycho-social services.

During their visit to the “House of Colors" center at Nisma ARSIS, they were introduced to emergency services for child victims of abuse, violence, and trafficking.

In a meeting with the Tirana Regional State Police Directorate, the delegation was introduced to VoT Interviewing facilities. The study visit continued in Elbasan with the Regional Police Directorate and “Another Vision” NGO and shelter services. It was concluded in Vlora and a visit to the Psychosocial Center VATRA, where they got introduced to the work of the VATRA Legal Clinic and Mobile Identification Units.