Human Capital Development

Alignment with SDGs

Three years after the Earthquake - A story of building back better

The story takes us initially to Qerekë, one of the many villages heavily affected by the 2019’s devastating earthquake where UNDP’s intervention under UN’s Earthquake Response Programme has changed lives.

36 education facilities, as the new kindergarten and school in Qerrekë were built, or rebuilt, across the many areas affected by earthquake under the #EU4Schools project funded by EU and support of UNDP. 29 more such are in the process of building.

Additional support for rebuilding schools was provided by the Governments of Croatia, Denmark and the United Kingdom The earthquake took a heavy toll on businesses, especially the small ones and the UN earthquake response included interventions to stimulate the economy by revitalizing the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

Read the original story here.

SOCIAL PROTECTION

The UN support to the social protection reform in the country in 2022 contributed to advancing the legal, policy and strategic framework, ensuring that social services are adequately resourced and monitored, and strengthening institutional capacities for adequate implementation at both the central and local level. At the central level, the following key achievements were attained: Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) finalized the national Social Protection Strategy 2020–2023 annual progress report and started preparations for the new Strategy 2024–2030, developed a new Social Inclusion Policy Document 2023–2027, identified gaps in social services funding to ensure implementation of the Social Fund in full compliance with the approved legal framework, initiated the amendment process of Law no. 22/2018 on Social Housing and implementation of the Social Fund and National Exit Programme for economic aid recipients, rolled out the new national disability reform, established the Order of Social Workers in Albania, implemented the new Action Plan on People with Disabilities 2021–2025 and National Action Plan for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma and Egyptian in Albania (2021–2025), and identified steps to reform the childcare system and monitoring of the Deinstitutionalization (DI) National Action Plan 2020–2022, paving the way for the development of a new DI Action Plan in the country vis-à-vis the new Social Protection Strategy. Fifty-five frontline professionals working in the Residential Care Institutions were trained in the DI process in close coordination with the State Social Service. The issuance of the first ever biometric ID residence permits with numbers compatible with the e-Albania system benefitted two refugees in the country.

Several UN studies informed public policies, identified innovative mechanisms and resources for the sustainability and upgrading of social services in Albania, and raised awareness on issues related to the provision of adequate services to vulnerable groups.

Findings from the impact analysis of public investments in childcare and child and family allowance on poverty reduction, human development and gender equality (GE), including a feasibility study of family and child allowance based on the impact analysis, will be discussed in dialogue tables with partners in 2023. The documented challenges and opportunities of the 61 municipalities to finance social care services informed them on how to mobilize funds from both local revenues and the state social protection budget. The feasibility study on the long-term care support system in Albania focused on the living conditions of older persons, healthy life expectancy, and institutional care, among others. The reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Social Cash Assistance Programme and on assessment of the capacity of the State Inspectorate of Labour and Social Services are finalized. The research studies on 1) childcare costs, fiscal revenue effects and gender-centred multi-dimensional vulnerability, and 2) financing a social protection floor for vulnerable women, girls and children in Albania provide tangible evidence on how gender-sensitive public investment has had a significant positive impact on who benefits from childcare and job creation, and provides essential information for policymakers on gender-sensitive fiscal policy measures to empower women economically.

Working directly with vulnerable and marginalized people

Working directly with vulnerable and marginalized people that are on the receiving end of social services to utilize information, skills and opportunities for social protection and inclusion, as well as strengthening capacities of change agents, UN supported a nationwide communication campaign, reaching 70,000 persons, informing the public about the advances made in social care reform and development of new ways of providing social care support and promoting child financial and material well-being in Albania in line with EU standards. Some 7,500 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in Divjake, Kamez, Kruje, Patos and Rrogozhine were empowered and increased their participation in decision-making processes, 7,000 people were informed on assistive devices for PwD through social media campaigning, and 1,302 people (40% Roma and Egyptians) in Divjake, Durres, Lushnje and Tirane were provided with integrated social services. Based on Law no. 121/2016 ‘On Social Care Services’, new models of community-based social services for disad Development By 2026 there is increased and more equitable investment in people, removing barriers and creating opportunities for those at risk of exclusion.

Working directly with vulnerable and marginalized people that are on the receiving end of social services to utilize information, skills and opportunities for social protection and inclusion, as well as strengthening capacities of change agents, UN supported a nationwide communication campaign, reaching 70,000 persons, informing the public about the advances made in social care reform and development of new ways of providing social care support and promoting child financial and material well-being in Albania in line with EU standards. Some 7,500 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in Divjake, Kamez, Kruje, Patos and Rrogozhine were empowered and increased their participation in decision-making processes, 7,000 people were informed on assistive devices for PwD through social media campaigning, and 1,302 people (40% Roma and Egyptians) in Divjake, Durres, Lushnje and Tirane were provided with integrated social services. Based on Law no. 121/2016 ‘On Social Care Services’, new models of community-based social services for disadvantaged people were introduced in Divjake and Patos, including a) developmental therapy for PwD, especially for children of age 0–16 years, b) emergency assistance for women who are victims of domestic violence, c) home care assistance for older persons living alone, and d) assistance for persons in emergency situations. The capacity of 70 professionals from 15 municipal community centres for PwD increased for the provision of integrated services, especially for children with intellectual disabilities. Five Albanian sign language teachers graduated in June after successfully completing a unified and accredited course for the profession of Albanian sign language instructor, while standards for professional development and certification of Albanian sign language interpreters were developed. Through partnership with the Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-University Education (Agjencia e Sigurimet të Cilesisë së Arsimit Parauniversitar, ASCAP) 250 members of 60 professional networks of assistant teachers increased their capacities in inclusive education for students with disabilities.

Read the full results of output 1.1 - Social protection

The UN support to the social protection reform in the country in 2022 contributed to advancing the legal, policy and strategic framework, ensuring that social services are adequately resourced and monitored, and strengthening institutional capacities for adequate implementation at both the central and local level. At the central level, the following key achievements were attained: Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP) finalized the national Social Protection Strategy 2020–2023 annual progress report and started preparations for the new Strategy 2024–2030, developed a new Social Inclusion Policy Document 2023–2027, identified gaps in social services funding to ensure implementation of the Social Fund in full compliance with the approved legal framework, initiated the amendment process of Law no. 22/2018 on Social Housing and implementation of the Social Fund and National Exit Programme for economic aid recipients, rolled out the new national disability reform, established the Order of Social Workers in Albania, implemented the new Action Plan on People with Disabilities 2021–2025 and National Action Plan for Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma and Egyptian in Albania (2021–2025), and identified steps to reform the childcare system and monitoring of the Deinstitutionalization (DI) National Action Plan 2020–2022, paving the way for the development of a new DI Action Plan in the country vis-à-vis the new Social Protection Strategy. Care Institutions were trained in the DI process in close coordination with the State Social Service. The issuance of the first ever biometric ID residence permits with numbers compatible with the e-Albania system benefitted two refugees in the country.

At the local level, policy practices on integrated health and social care were developed, informing the design of six orders of municipalities on ‘Implementation of Integrated Care’ and Guidelines of Services for four multifunctional community centres (Devoll, Kamez, Pogradec and Puke), resulting in improved social protection for vulnerable communities. A total of 131 social and healthcare providers, including municipalities, were trained in integrated social and healthcare for older persons. A pilot exercise of mapping older persons and their needs took place in Sukth, where a total of 1,218 older persons are registered in the database.

A strategy was prepared to upgrade and rescope the Management Information System (MIS) for social care services, used by all 61 municipalities. Eight municipalities finalised, and nine other municipalities developed, five-year social housing plans. Tirane Municipality developed a Local Social Care Plan 2023–2025, offering integrated services for families and children in need. The status was assessed and capacity building planned in eight municipalities to engender social care plans and in twelve other municipalities a mapping and needs assessment identified interventions for inclusive gender responsive services. Some 159 municipal staff (71% females) in ten municipalities now have increased knowledge and skills on efficient and effective use of revenues and resources to plan and deliver gender-responsive social services. Local authorities were equipped with practical guidance (a handbook) on effective integration and inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the community.

Several UN studies informed public policies, identified innovative mechanisms and resources for the sustainability and upgrading of social services in Albania, and raised awareness on issues related to the provision of adequate services to vulnerable groups. Findings from the impact analysis of public investments in childcare and child and family allowance on poverty reduction, human development and gender equality (GE), including a feasibility study of family and child allowance based on the impact analysis, will be discussed in dialogue tables with partners in 2023. The documented challenges and opportunities of the 61 municipalities to finance social care services informed them on how to mobilize funds from both local revenues and the state social protection budget. The feasibility study on the long-term care support system in Albania focused on the living conditions of older persons, healthy life expectancy, and institutional care, among others. The reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Social Cash Assistance Programme and on assessment of the capacity of the State Inspectorate of Labour and Social Services are finalized. The research studies on 1) childcare costs, fiscal revenue effects and gender-centred multi-dimensional vulnerability, and 2) financing a social protection floor for vulnerable women, girls and children in Albania provide tangible evidence on how gender-sensitive public investment has had a significant positive impact on who benefits from childcare and job creation, and provides essential information for policymakers on gender-sensitive fiscal policy measures to empower women economically.

Working directly with vulnerable and marginalized people that are on the receiving end of social services to utilize information, skills and opportunities for social protection and inclusion, as well as strengthening capacities of change agents, UN supported a nationwide communication campaign, reaching 70,000 persons, informing the public about the advances made in social care reform and development of new ways of providing social care support and promoting child financial and material well-being in Albania in line with EU standards. Some 7,500 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) in Divjake, Kamez, Kruje, Patos and Rrogozhine were empowered and increased their participation in decision-making processes, 7,000 people were informed on assistive devices for PwD through social media campaigning, and 1,302 people (40% Roma and Egyptians) in Divjake, Durres, Lushnje and Tirane were provided with integrated social services. Based on Law no. 121/2016 ‘On Social Care Services’, new models of community-based social services for disadvantaged people were introduced in Divjake and Patos, including a) developmental therapy for PwD, especially for children of age 0–16 years, b) emergency assistance for women who are victims of domestic violence, c) home care assistance for older persons living alone, and d) assistance for persons in emergency situations. The capacity of 70 professionals from 15 municipal community centres for PwD increased for the provision of integrated services, especially for children with intellectual disabilities. Five Albanian sign language teachers graduated in June after successfully completing a unified and accredited course for the profession of Albanian sign language instructor, while standards for professional development and certification of Albanian sign language interpreters were developed. Through partnership with the Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-University Education (Agjencia e Sigurimet të Cilesisë së Arsimit Parauniversitar, ASCAP) 250 members of 60 professional networks of assistant teachers increased their capacities in inclusive education for students with disabilities.

Partnerships were fostered with the universities of Elbasan, Shkoder and Tirane to enhance the professional knowledge, skills and competencies of the pre-service and in-service social care workforce in the country. An advocacy plan was finalized for engaging women and girls in participatory budgeting processes of five municipalities: Delvine, Dropull, Fushe-Arrez, Gjirokaster and Vau i Dejes. In partnership with the Prisma European Network of 50 grassroot organizations working on participatory budgeting processes, 500 vulnerable women and girls increased their participation and influence in the local participatory budgeting processes, with 73 percent of issues raised by vulnerable women now addressed and accepted in the municipalities’ priorities and budgets. Meanwhile, there is ensured enrolment of 58 refugee children in the education system and all persons in need have access to public healthcare. Implementation of actions under the National Action Plan for Older Persons continued, through partnerships with the municipalities of Durres, Gjirokaster, Rrogozhine, Tirane and Vlore, to design long-term care for older persons. Partnerships with CSOs led by older people continued, and the demography magazine is being published by a network of academics. The community-based health model has been strengthened and is active in thirteen districts of Albania. A total of 97 caregivers were trained and assisted in issues affecting access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services for PwD. The gradual repatriation and reintegration of children and women of Albanian origin continued from the conflict zones and refugee camps in Syria and Iraq. Direct support, such as engagement in learning and recreational activities, was used to reintegrate 18 children (15 girls and 3 boys) and their mothers (6) back into various communities.

Education

Working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and other actors to implement the National Education Strategy 2021–2026, especially with a focus on the most marginalized children and youth, UN in Albania contributed in 2022 to enhancing evidence-based advocacy and action to improve learning. A series of policy analyses and exchange was conducted, using a regional policy platform in which Albania participated, resulting in consolidated knowledge on robust inclusion policies and strategies to advance SDG 4. The dialogue for improving the future of education advanced through the Transforming Education Summit and National Education Congress. A review of career education and counselling in secondary schools will feed into the design and implementation of a career programme in schools. Three studies are being developed: 1) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, regarding dropout in upper secondary schools, 2) Financing for Early Childhood Education, and 3) Barriers to Accessing Early Childhood Education that will help achieve improved evidence-based advocacy.

Upgrading of teacher and student skills in blended learning and inclusive education

Improvement of education services through infrastructure and soft interventions was another key focus, where the UN supported the completion of civil works for repairing or rebuilding 36 education facilities affected by the 2019 earthquake in eleven partner municipalities, providing better services to 9,159 children and students, and 619 teachers. The construction works are ongoing for 16 other education facilities. Consultation meetings held in nine education facilities, with the participation of 209 people from communities, teachers, students, local authorities and representatives of supervision companies, revealed that 88 percent are ‘very satisfied with the rebuilt facilities’. The Business Intelligence dashboard is publicly accessible online, while EU4Schools portal (http://eu4schoolsportal.al) received 17,975 visitors who browsed 46,266 pages. Akademi.al advanced to becoming an open-source access platform for children, offering 27,126 interactive videos lessons, including videos for children with disability, and novel 136 interactive video lessons for pre-school children of age five years that are aligned to pre-school curricula were added during 2022. Akademi.al has been accessed by a total of 507,504 users.

Read the full results of output 1.2 - Education

Working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) and other actors to implement the National Education Strategy 2021–2026, especially with a focus on the most marginalized children and youth, UN in Albania contributed in 2022 to enhancing evidence-based advocacy and action to improve learning. A series of policy analyses and exchange was conducted, using a regional policy platform in which Albania participated, resulting in consolidated knowledge on robust inclusion policies and strategies to advance SDG 4. The dialogue for improving the future of education advanced through the Transforming Education Summit and National Education Congress. A review of career education and counselling in secondary schools will feed into the design and implementation of a career programme in schools. Three studies are being developed: 1) Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices, regarding dropout in upper secondary schools, 2) Financing for Early Childhood Education, and 3) Barriers to Accessing Early Childhood Education that will help achieve improved evidence-based advocacy.

Improvement of education services through infrastructure and soft interventions was another key focus, where the UN supported the completion of civil works for repairing or rebuilding 36 education facilities affected by the 2019 earthquake in eleven partner municipalities, providing better services to 9,159 children and students, and 619 teachers. The construction works are ongoing for 16 other education facilities. Consultation meetings held in nine education facilities, with the participation of 209 people from communities, teachers, students, local authorities and representatives of supervision companies, revealed that 88 percent are ‘very satisfied with the rebuilt facilities’. The Business Intelligence dashboard is publicly accessible online, while EU4Schools portal (http://eu4schoolsportal.al) received 17,975 visitors who browsed 46,266 pages. Akademi.al advanced to becoming an open-source access platform for children, offering 27,126 interactive videos lessons, including videos for children with disability, and novel 136 interactive video lessons for pre-school children of age five years that are aligned to pre-school curricula were added during 2022. Akademi.al has been accessed by a total of 507,504 users.

The UN supported the implementation of pre-school curricula through the formulation of the ‘Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Pre-school Education’ and the ‘Quality Framework for Pre-school Education’, prepared and finalized for accreditation 18 modules and programmes for teacher training, and expanded and implemented a quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) programme on a national scale through adoption in the Albania context of ‘Journey4Life’, a new curriculum for peer-educators. As a result, 346 teachers and school principals were trained, 36 schools monitored, and 4,500 students and 9,000 parents reached with SRHR information.

The upgrading of teacher and student skills in blended learning and inclusive education was ensured through several capacity development initiatives on how to provide quality education to their students (future workers and employers), benefiting more than 500 teachers, and 20,000 students and parents. Introduction of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) was piloted in the formal educational system, resulting in an increased quality of literacy in teaching and learning processes, reaching 8,456 students at the lower level and 1,372 students at the higher level. An assessment of training needs in Information Technology (IT) and the digital literacy of primary and basic education teachers was finalized and an online training module prepared. The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training modules were drafted and used, upscaling the ICT skills of 350 secondary education teachers. Schools were provided with ICT supplies: 17 new Techhubs were procured and will be set up in secondary schools. Some 1,000 of the most vulnerable children enhanced their English language knowledge through the Akelius digital programme. A non-formal learning programme for Afghan children was set up in Shengjin, addressing the needs of more than 300 such children. An extra-curricular programme (JOM) was developed, bringing together ICT, environment, culture and arts for schools, and will soon start implementation in 200 schools. Some 410 assistant teachers and regular teachers have been skilled in inclusive education methodologies in cooperation with ASCAP, while 151 students in 9th grade at risk of dropout and 600 grade 10 students in Vocational and Education Training (VET) schools have been supported with foundational skills in Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Korce, Shkoder, Tirane and Vlore. Some 50 teachers were trained and 3,050 high school children selected a new, optional, subject introduced into the curriculum, on ‘Building dialogue and communication skills among future workers and employers’.

Health Care and Shock Responsive Systems

The UN provided support to government for the country response to Covid-19, continuity of essential health services, including equal access to services, strengthening of the health system, focusing on resilience, and advocacy and partnerships on the rights to health and reducing inequalities. The key achievements of 2022 are reported below, while a summary of UN support to government on the Covid-19 response is provided in Annex A.

Advancing the regulatory and policy framework included strategic risk assessment (STAR) and development of the Public Health Risk Profile Albania 2022; revision of the MoHSP Emergency Operation Plan; incorporation of an Incident Management System at the MoHSP Emergency Operation Centre; development of a National Framework for joint investigation and response to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases; development of an Operational Plan for all hazards for Mother Tereza University Hospital Centre (UHC); preparation of Control of a Healthcare-Associated Infections Strategy; guidance for Primary Health Care Reconfiguration towards a model of integrated health and social services; development of a National Action Plan of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2022–2030, Contraceptive Security 2022–2026; Cancer Control Programme 2022–2030; National Action Plan on Health Promotion 2022–2030; evaluation of the National Action Plan for Mental Health in Albania, 2013–2022; and mapping of mental health services for children and adolescents as a basis for the development of the new Mental Health policy 2030 and updating of the Primary Health Care Mental Health Guidelines.

The National Vaccination Programme against Cervical Cancer

Read the full results of output 1.3 - Health Care and Shock Responsive Systems

The UN provided support to government for the country response to Covid-19, continuity of essential health services, including equal access to services, strengthening of the health system, focusing on resilience, and advocacy and partnerships on the rights to health and reducing inequalities. The key achievements of 2022 are reported below, while a summary of UN support to government on the Covid-19 response is provided in Annex A.

Advancing the regulatory and policy framework included strategic risk assessment (STAR) and development of the Public Health Risk Profile Albania 2022; revision of the MoHSP Emergency Operation Plan; incorporation of an Incident Management System at the MoHSP Emergency Operation Centre; development of a National Framework for joint investigation and response to outbreaks of zoonotic diseases; development of an Operational Plan for all hazards for Mother Tereza University Hospital Centre (UHC); preparation of Control of a Healthcare-Associated Infections Strategy; guidance for Primary Health Care Reconfiguration towards a model of integrated health and social services; development of a National Action Plan of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 2022–2030, Contraceptive Security 2022–2026; Cancer Control Programme 2022–2030; National Action Plan on Health Promotion 2022–2030; evaluation of the National Action Plan for Mental Health in Albania, 2013–2022; and mapping of mental health services for children and adolescents as a basis for the development of the new Mental Health policy 2030 and updating of the Primary Health Care Mental Health Guidelines.

Promotion of health and well-being and strengthening of prevention and control – The National Immunization Programme on Cervical Cancer (human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine) was launched in November 2022 and is being implemented at the national scale. The national Infection Prevention and Control Manual and Guidelines are in place. An assessment of the infrastructure, distribution, storage and management capacities was conducted (cold chain) for all 432 Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, a new module for cold chain inventory was developed and integrated into the Immunization Information System, and around 172 health personnel were trained in cold chain assessment and integration and the Information System for the Surveillance of Infectious Diseases. In addition, an immunization programme management guideline was drafted, and the Albanian surveillance system and the clinical management for monkeypox outbreak was strengthened through training of more than400 health specialists. Meanwhile, Afghan children and families residing in Albania were reached with pertinent health services aided by a rapid health needs assessment conducted on the demographics of this population group.
A health centre was established at the residence site of the Afghan population in Shengjin, Lezhe, attending to 169 children, 16 pregnant women and 122 adolescents.

Technical support was provided on strengthening the national procurement and supply management system to reduce stock-outs of antiretroviral, tuberculosis first and second-line medicines and respective diagnostics. Key populations are better informed on HIV self-testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis, aiming at a 6–7 percent increase in the number of beneficiaries receiving daily services. Under the leadership of MoHSP, the National Health Care Operator and the Institute of Public Health (IPH), a national advocacy event and two workshops were organized on ‘Prevention of Vertical Transmission of HIV’. Moreover, 19 policymakers from MoHSP, MoES and the ministries of Justice and Interior were trained in the nature, prevention and treatment of drug use disorders. Various advocacy and awareness events were conducted among key stakeholders and partners on breast and cervical cancer prevention and control. Regional consultations and capacity development activities in Elbasan, Korce, Tirane and Vlore were conducted for enforcement of the joint orders of MoHSP, MoES and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) on the standards of foods offered in pre-university school settings and the marketing of unhealthy food in these institutions. These activities resulted in 112 teachers, school psychologists and representatives of government providing useful recommendations on the way ahead. The Bebbo parenting app. was developed for use in the Albanian language and launched by the Minister of Health and Social Protection on 27 May. Some 552 health and education service providers were reached with professional development activities, and around 4,200 users downloaded and used the app. (81% mothers, 11% fathers, 8% caregivers and service providers).

The national survey Health Behaviour in School-Age Children (HBSC) 2022–2023 was completed, providing important information on health, nutrition, mental health and well-being of such children. Data collection for the surveillance of childhood obesity in Albania 2022–2023 was completed and included 5,888 students of age 6–9 years. A survey into the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour around antimicrobial resistance – as part of the Eurobarometer survey – was completed (with 500 interviewees of age 18 years or more in Tirane). The youth campaign ‘Let’s talk about mental health’, organized in light of European Mental Health week, engaged two line ministries – MoHSP and MoES – with six focus group discussions facilitated in six districts and 88 young people reached. Promotion of youth engagement for health and well-being through the European Youth4Health Forum, held on 25–27 October in Tirane, brought together 500 young people from 30 countries, and 200 delegates representing government, the UN and civil society partners.

Improving quality of care, including for heath emergency prevention, detection and response capacity included development of a roadmap for strengthening country capacities for improving the quality of care and patient safety; assessment of the functionality of the current public health laboratory network; training in post-Covid management: manifestations associated with Covid-19 including rehabilitation of patients affected by the disease (245 primary healthcare professionals and 298 hospital care professionals from 9 regions of Albania: Berat, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane and Vlore). Two training programmes on Bleeding after birth completion and Pre-Eclampsia–Eclampsia were held, and capacities of 40 healthcare professionals from regional maternity hospitals and professors of nursing were strengthened. The Virtual Contraceptive Consultation (ViC) online learning platform was employed for development of a family planning sustainability roadmap, and policy dialogue on ViC sustainability was intensified.

Universal Progressive Home Visiting continues to be implemented with a sharpened focus on capacity building of health professionals (~375) in child development, supporting parenting skills and parental well-being, addressing early detection of disabilities and gender norms, and fostering intersectoral collaboration. As a result, 10,529 home visits were conducted, reaching 2,184 children, of whom 588 were from ethnic minority groups. An assessment of the neonatology services in the country was conducted and ten standard treatment protocols were developed for doctors and nurses in areas including transport of sick infants, neonatal resuscitation, care for babies with neonatal hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress and convulsions.

Capacity building for strengthening the national procurement and supply management system included gap analysis, recommendations for improvement and participation and contribution to the European Health Public Procurement Alliance summit.

The Infectious Diseases Clinic at Mother Teresa Hospital was renovated and furnished, doubling the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity to eight beds, while patient wards now accommodate 87 high-care beds for in-patient treatment of infectious diseases, and an emergency care department provides space for up to 16 beds. A detailed design and master plan was prepared for IPH, identifying physical interventions that would increase laboratory capacities with expanded infrastructure, essential lab equipment and capacity building. A total of 15 pieces of fixed imaging equipment was installed in radiology rooms in health clinics and hospitals around Albania, twelve items of mobile imaging equipment were provided and relevant medical staff trained in their use, while a total of 28 ambulances was provided. Procurement of one fully automated and integrated system (Cobas 5800) was concluded for the virology laboratory at IPH.

Inclusive Community Engagement

Aiming to develop mechanisms to ensure social inclusion and social protection system improvements in the long run lead to resilient and cohesive local communities, the UN contributed to strengthening national and local systems to support the effective socio-economic integration of returnees through mobilization of local partnerships and implementation of measures for sustainable reintegration. Three local multi-stakeholder platforms were established in and coordinated by the municipalities of Berat, Devoll and Fier. Local Roma and Egyptian returnee reintegration action plans were developed with these municipalities, adopted by Devoll and Fier, and elements implemented in all three municipalities, reaching 204 persons (50% females). A protocol of case management was designed for the reintegration of returnees with an integrated family-focused approach and started implementation in the three municipalities. A start-up programme was also initiated resulting in 156 applications of which 76 were preselected for support. The methodology and format of individual employability improvement plans were developed, resulting in 21 individuals employed through mediation. Two individuals participated in internships with the National Agency for Employment and Skills, and nine are part of active labour market measures. Seven Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and CSOs were enabled to support returnees and their family members (368 in total; 50% females) in a variety of initiatives.

Developing mechanisms to ensure social inclusion and social protection system improvements

Read the full results of output 1.4 - Inclusive Community Engagement

Aiming to develop mechanisms to ensure social inclusion and social protection system improvements in the long run lead to resilient and cohesive local communities, the UN contributed to strengthening national and local systems to support the effective socio-economic integration of returnees through mobilization of local partnerships and implementation of measures for sustainable reintegration. Three local multi-stakeholder platforms were established in and coordinated by the municipalities of Berat, Devoll and Fier. Local Roma and Egyptian returnee reintegration action plans were developed with these municipalities, adopted by Devoll and Fier, and elements implemented in all three municipalities, reaching 204 persons (50% females). A protocol of case management was designed for the reintegration of returnees with an integrated family-focused approach and started implementation in the three municipalities. A start-up programme was also initiated resulting in 156 applications of which 76 were preselected for support. The methodology and format of individual employability improvement plans were developed, resulting in 21 individuals employed through mediation. Two individuals participated in internships with the National Agency for Employment and Skills, and nine are part of active labour market measures. Seven Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and CSOs were enabled to support returnees and their family members (368 in total; 50% females) in a variety of initiatives.

UN efforts towards increasing social and economic resilience of earthquake-affected communities resulted in improved recovery and resilience of 1,500 households through fourteen grants awarded to CSOs operating in the municipalities of Durres, Kruje and Shijak. More than 15 volunteering mechanisms and self-help initiatives were established and assisted through training and mentoring to contribute to community resilience and recovery efforts. Three community-based and open-access platforms (with more than 10,000 users) became operational to promote transparency around the emergency response and gender-responsive recovery effort, employment opportunities and participatory decision making in planning, prioritization and recovery activities. An integrated employment and livelihood and social services model – Livelihood Support Scheme – for affected, vulnerable citizens to recover and start life in a new post-earthquake setting were developed, tested and became operational, supporting more than 100 households with materials, tools and assistive devices to improve their income-generating activities and build a better life in the future. Aiming to improve the level of preparedness and response in emergency situations, two sets of documents were developed in close consultation with the respective Department of Social Care in each of the three partner municipalities: 1, Protocols for Social Service Providers at the Local Level, and 2, Emergency Social Plans. These documents were endorsed by local authorities and will be included and utilized as supporting mechanisms for relevant personnel during and after emergency and natural disaster events.

The UN supported bottom-up community development to promote the inclusion of rural people in policy design and decision-making processes, specifically on promoting and supporting cooperation of farmers, contract farming, short value chains, income diversification and integrated community development. The document ‘Best practice policy recommendations supporting smallholder development’ was prepared and shared with MoARD, while the ministry was supported in drafting a National Action Plan for Family Farming. Small ruminant farmers, milk processors and smallholder farmers in the three municipalities of Belsh, Korce and Malesie e Madhe benefited from small-scale equipment (milking equipment, olive seed removers, fruit processing line) and trainings in equipment use and maintenance.

Results in Numbers

172

Health personnel trained

on cold chain assessment and integration and the Information System for the Surveillance of Infectious Diseases.

36

Repaired or rebuilt education facilities

affected by the 2019 earthquake in eleven partner municipalities, providing better services to 9,159 children and students, and 619 teachers.

58

Refugee children

have now ensured enrolment in the education system and all persons in need have access to public healthcare.

1000+

Vulnerable children

now have enhanced English language knowledge through the Akelius digital program.

7,500+

Persons with disabilities

in Divjake, Kamez, Kruje, Patos and Rrogozhine were empowered and increased their participation in decision-making processes.

250

Members

of 60 professional networks of assistant teachers increased their capacities in inclusive education for students with disabilities, through a partnership with the Quality Assurance Agency for Pre-University Education.