Elbasani Street, Park Gate,10th floor, App. 71 / 73,2418/1
1010
Tirana
Albania
- Democracy and community development
- Gender
- International/Cultural relations
- Research
- Youth and education
Partners Albania is an independent Albanian non profit organisation, established in 2001, working to support civil society and facilitate inter-sector cooperation in order to strengthen democratic institutions and advance economic development. Partners Albania is a member of Partners Network, a partnership of 19 independent, local organizations in Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East working for peaceful and democratic change. Partners Albania is also a member of several global, European and regional networks such as BCSDN, ECAS, DIESIS, ANNA LINDH, WINGS, Alliance for Peacebuilding, CHANCE – Civil Hub Against orgaNised Crime in Europe, etc. Partners Albania is a member of the Code of Standards for Civil Society Organizations and plays the role of Secretariat of the Code through the National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania.
Since its establishment in 2001, Partners Albania has served as e resource center for the civil sector consistently focused on providing support to civil society organizations and fostering collaboration within the sector to create a more favorable environment for the civil society sector through. In this regard, the main focus of PA work is:
• Development of an enabling environment for the advancement of the civil society sector, through research, monitoring, leading debate, and cross-sectoral dialogue, for the development of policies in support of the sector based on the best international standards.
• Introduction of innovative practices that affect the development of the sector, increase its sustainability, and role in bringing social change for the benefit of the public/groups in need.
• Strengthening of CSOs in developing performance standards and increasing the credibility, transparency, and public image of the sector, in strengthening democracy, development of the country, and its integration into the EU.
• Strengthening leadership of CSOs and local communities (local groups and individuals), toward a more active and sustainable civil society, with a significant impact on strengthening democracy.
The organization's mission is to bolster civil society and inter-sector cooperation, thus enhancing democratic institutions and economic development in Albania. Since its inception, PA has dedicated itself to strengthening civil society and fostering collaboration between non-profit organizations (NPOs), state institutions, academia, and the private sector. This commitment aims to address Albania’s primary democratization challenge: enhancing the interaction between citizens and state institutions through a robust civil society.
Partners Albania’s activities span four key areas: 1. Creating an Enabling Environment and Sustainable Development for CSOs: This involves empowering civil society through capacity building, advocacy for a supportive legal framework, and financial assistance. The main initiatives under this programmatic area include: • Development of an enabling environment for the advancement of the civil society sector, through research, monitoring, leading debate and cross-sectoral dialogue, for the development of policies in support of the sector based on the best international standards. • Introduction of innovative practices that affect the development of the sector, increase its sustainability and role in bringing social change for the benefit of the public / groups in need. • Strengthening of CSOs in developing performance standards and increase the credibility, transparency and public image of the sector, in strengthening democracy, development of the country and its integration into the EU. • Strengthening leadership of CSOs and local communities (local groups and individuals), toward a more active and sustainable civil society, with a significant impact on strengthening democracy. 2. Promoting Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation: PA supports the entrepreneurship and social enterprise (SE) ecosystem with research, advocacy, financial mechanisms, expertise, and networking. 3. Enhancing Philanthropic Activity and Support Infrastructure: The organization focuses on developing and promoting philanthropy in Albania through research, advocacy for supportive policies, and awareness-raising activities. 4. Fostering Transparent and Accountable Participatory Governance: PA contributes to developing civil society practitioners and public administration officials, focusing on building strong institutions and transparent processes. Since its establishment, PA has been a dedicated advocate for civil society organization (CSO) issues, emphasizing cooperative strategies, engagement with decision-makers, and cross-sector partnerships. PA has successfully championed substantial reforms within the sector, strategically partnering and collaborating with state actors and CSOs. These impactful advocacy efforts have been orchestrated in tandem with other CSOs, with a primary focus on enhancing the sector's capacities to ensure equitable partnerships and drive positive, sustainable changes. PA is a primary provider of training and technical assistance for the non-profit sector. Since 2001, it has offered approximately 4,500 days of training to over 22,000 beneficiaries, both national and international. In 2019, PA established the National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania, offering a platform for information and services to enhance civil society's effectiveness, transparency, accountability, and independence. The capacity building programs, particularly in the last five years, have been channeled through the National Resource Center for Civil Society. PA has also facilitated various consultation processes for international organizations, contributing to significant reforms and strategic documents for Albania. PA work has been supported by a wide range of donors and international development organizations, including European Union, USAID, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, US Embassy in Albania, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, SIDA, Foreign Commonwealth Office, British Embassy in Albania, The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Albania, OSFA, Olof Palme International Center, BTD, OSCE, UNDP, World Bank, etc. PA has diversified its revenue sources through contractual fee for services to the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and donor institutions. Partners Albania serves as an intermediary organization in provision of financial support to third parties including non-for-profit organizations and social enterprises. All projects utilizing sub-granting mechanisms have consistently incorporated elements of institutional capacity building, alongside efforts to enhance the capabilities of the beneficiaries in the realm of advocacy.