IOM is proud to announce the launch of a new project aimed at enhancing the institutional framework and capacities in local governance regarding the regular migration of Albanian citizens. This project, with a particular emphasis on employment migration, commits strongly to gender mainstreaming and the inclusion of minority populations, employing 'whole of Government' and 'whole of society' approaches.

The initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, is designed to assist both central and local institutions in Albania to develop, strengthen capacities, and pilot the legal, administrative, and operational procedures for migration, with a focus on employment purposes. Key components of the project include:

• Consolidating the Regulatory Framework: Drafting new guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) and developing inter-agency cooperation protocols.
• Training and Capacity Building: Enhancing the skills of public officials at the local level to effectively apply improved frameworks, with a specific focus on gender mainstreaming.
• Creating a Local Network on Migration: Establishing and operationalizing a network connected with central institutions.

The project was inaugurated with four consultative workshops held in Shkodra, Tirana, Korca, and Vlora. These workshops brought together representatives from 61 municipalities and other key stakeholders, introducing them to the intervention approach, planned activities, and project timeline. Local stakeholders were actively encouraged to engage and contribute throughout the project implementation.

Local government plays a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the Global Compact on Migration, which the Government of Albania approved in December 2018. The "Law on Local Self-Government" outlines the functions of municipalities in the field of diaspora and migration. Additionally, the role of local government on migration issues is clearly defined in the National Strategy for Migration (2024-2030) and the Action Plan (2024-2026), approved by the Council of Ministers on May 2, 2024. 

For more information, please read the Project one-pager.