Over the past decade, Albania has made progress in reforming its social and child protection systems as part of its EU accession path. However, inequalities persist, particularly for children in rural areas, Roma communities, and those with disabilities. Many continue to face multidimensional poverty, alongside risks linked to migration, violence, online harm, and insufficient mental health and psychosocial support services. These challenges highlight the continued need for strong, coordinated child protection efforts.
Terre des hommes has been active in Albania since 1993, working in the field of child rights, child protection, migration, and access to justice. Our expertise ranges from psychosocial interventions to the empowerment of local, regional, and national government institutions and key stakeholders. We strengthen child protection and juvenile justice systems, as well as the social inclusion system for migrants in Albania. Our goal is to ensure that all children in Albania are effectively protected and that their rights are consistently respected.
Our impact in 2025
Child protection
Through advocacy, awareness-raising, and the empowerment of practitioners, Terre des hommes works to reinforce the child protection system, improve the integration of policies and strategies within the legal framework, and thus ensure that every child's rights are protected. We support children affected by abuse and violence, as well as provide psychosocial support and direct services to vulnerable children.
Children and young people on the move
We work to improve the regulatory framework for children on the move and strengthen cross-border collaboration to prevent human trafficking, while also ensuring access to services for victims of human trafficking.
Access to justice for children and young people
We support system strengthening and youth resilience building through a restorative justice approach. We strengthen the child protection system and work to prevent the reoffending of children in conflict with the law through developing and implementing reintegration programmes.
Youth Voice for Justice and Rights
The "Youth Voice for Justice and Rights" project aims at fostering a child-friendly justice system in Albania, engaging children and youth (aged 12–29), justice professionals, and local authorities.
Anisa, 21, a member of the project's Youth Advisory Board, participated in the 5th World Congress on Child Justice – a unique platform for sharing challenges and best practices from around the world. During the panel on children’s rights in the digital age, Anisa made a powerful observation:
“Children might have access to screens but not necessarily access to justice.”
Her statement underscores the gap between children’s online presence and their actual legal protection. Anisa also shared valuable insights on the challenges of implementing diversion measures, with a particular emphasis on restorative justice for children in conflict with the law.
