Human Capital Development | UN Team Results

Social Protection

Albania continued to advance social protection, care and inclusion through targeted reforms that expanded access to quality social services and benefits, strengthened policy and legal frameworks, and improved equity for vulnerable groups.

These efforts were further reinforced through two flagship UN JPs: LNOB, implemented jointly by UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA and UN Women, and Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania, implemented jointly by UNDP, UNICEF, ILO and UN Women and which played a catalytic role in piloting integrated models, strengthening local systems and scaling inclusive social protection approaches nationwide.

President Begaj calls for stronger global action on social justice during the UN World Social Summit in Doha, urging collective efforts to reduce inequalities and promote inclusive development.

Integrated social support reached more than 340 households in the economic aid scheme, reinforcing prevention, protection and family strengthening outcomes. MoHSW developed the National Plan on Child Guarantee 2026–2030, aligning with the EU policy framework that addresses child poverty and exclusion. A new area for UN engagement was the development of integrated long-term care (LTC) models, designed to enhance dignity, independence and quality of life for older people and personswith disabilities, while generating decent employment in the care economy.

More on Social Protection

Integrated LTC services reached 200 households and created employment opportunities for 146 women and adults in receipt of economic aid.

A human capital development policy dialogue process took place through preparation of a human capital development paper developed jointly by the UN, EU and WB that was informed by broad partner consultations and followed by a conference with academia as the catalyst for human capital development in Albania. The country joined the SDG Accelerator on Social Protection and Jobs and Multistakeholder Engagement to Implement the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions and the World Bank Social Protection and Jobs Compass (M-GA). Albania is one of 14 global pathfinder countries focusing on expanding social protection through child benefit modelling, integrated social care, LTC, inclusive disability protection and increased fiscal space for children with disabilities. The social protection system was strengthened by advancing dialogue on universal child benefit, expanding services for children with disabilities, establishing Local Social Funds in 15 municipalities and integrating shock-responsive tools into local social planning. MoHSW prepared a Roadmap for EU Accession, Chapter 19, followed by key legal and policy reforms aligning disability and social protection legislation with the EU acquis, including the table of concordance for Directive (EU) 2019/882 on accessibility.
Expanded social protection and care services benefited 4,100 people across 22 municipalities through 27 new community-based and five specialized services, while more than 3,500 people accessed integrated social service models in four municipalities. Disability inclusion advanced through expanded sign language resources, graduation of 12 interpreters, piloting of personal assistance services, improved access to assistive technologies and strengthened capacity of 37 multidisciplinary
disability assessment commissions nationwide. Approval of the Second National Action Plan on Older Persons (2025–2030) established a framework for ageing and integrated care, alongside progress in access to civil documentation for 12 persons granted international protection.

Institutional capacity and governance were strengthened to support readiness for EU-related reforms through functional and institutional reviews of the State Social Services and the State Agency for Child Rights and Protection. Social Services Mapping 2025 informed national and local social policy priorities, expansion of the Social Fund, and operationalization of the electronic social care register. A new National Plan for transforming residential care into community- and family-based services advanced Albania’s deinstitutionalization agenda, while, at the local level, Tirana developed and costed key local action plans. Targeted support strengthened local governance and frontline delivery. Needs Assessment and Referral Units (NARUs) were expanded and operationalized, with 489 municipal staff and service providers capacitated in 15 municipalities. By the end of 2025, 66 NARUs had been established nationwide, guided by a national roadmap for scale-up. Albania also strengthened shock-responsive social protection through an integrated academic and operational package, including the first such accredited university-level course.

Workforce development and inclusive governance enabled reform implementation, with more than 200 social care and social protection workers enhancing their capacities, while progress was made on the national biopsychosocial disability assessment, through professional training, child-friendly guidance and accredited multidisciplinary curricula. Participatory budgeting engaged 910 community members across seven municipalities, strengthening inclusive local decision making, by amplifying the voices of women, girls and young people, helping turn local priorities into real action and visible change.
Targeted pilots improved disability-inclusive and gender-responsive services, enhancing mobility, independence, digital access, leadership and psycho-social support. In three municipalities 160 women and girls with disabilities, including mothers of children with disabilities, gained greater opportunities to live more independently. Meanwhile, inclusive employment pathways were advanced in the care, tourism and hospitality sectors, addressing care burdens, stigma and digital exclusion. An
inclusive online platform for persons with disabilities was established, providing a safe space for sexual and gender education, peer exchange and professional support.
UN support also strengthened Albania’s care-economy evidence base and policy readiness, including piloting a standardized academic training module, finalizing a policy note aligned with the EU Care Strategy and completing a costing study covering early childhood, pre-primary education and LTC, laying the foundation for increased investment in 2026 in support of national priorities and LNOB.

Creating Opportunities in Albania: Inclusive Work and Social Protection for All

Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania” (LEAP) Joint Programme

Albania is advancing bold reforms for a more inclusive society with the “Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania” (LEAP) Joint Programme, a transformative initiative powered by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, ILO and UN Women. Together, these UN agencies are working to expand social protection, enhance care services, and unlock decent employment opportunities for children, women, youth, persons with disabilities and the elderly—especially those in vulnerable situations.

This programme puts people at the center—from early childhood to old age—strengthening both dignity and opportunity throughout life.

But how do the various parts of this initiative come together to deliver results?

A care-trainee delivering long term care services for elderly at home in Librazhd

Redesigning Long-Term Care Services with Dignity and Empowerment at the Core

UNDP Albania plays a pivotal role in reimagining integrated social care and employment systems to meet the needs of Albania’s most vulnerable—particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, families of children in need, caregivers, and youth disconnected from the labor market.

Read the full story here.

Education

Albania continued advancing education system transformation in 2025, with a strong focus on inclusion, quality and modernization aligned with SDG 4 and national EU integration priorities (Cluster 3). UN support strengthened evidence-based planning through improved tracking of SDG 4 indicators on inclusion, equity, learning outcomes and financing,
enabling more informed policy decisions. Key system reforms were advanced, including revision of the Pre-University Education Strategy 2021–2026 and the National Pre-University Curriculum, aligned with the EU framework on 21st-century skills, together with new guidance on embedding green skills into the curriculum.

An information session at Ismail Qemali High School in Tirana introduced students to the U-Report platform, empowering young people to share their opinions and engage in key social issues.

The new National Curricular Framework and Programmes were piloted in grades I, VI and X, reaching 72,600 pupils nationwide, supported by a costed Action Plan for Extended School Hours and a costing study for the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Roadmap.

Sixty-seven education facilities damaged by the 2019 earthquakes were repaired or reconstructed, benefiting more than 25,000 teachers and students, while 110 IT and science laboratories were established, inclusive didactic materials provided and transparency ensured through the EU4Schools portal.

Health

Albania continued to strengthen its health system in 2025, with a focus on primary healthcare, prevention, equity and resilience, aligned with universal health coverage
(UHC) commitments and national EU integration objectives. Progress was recorded across immunization, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), system governance and emergency preparedness, though persistent access gaps, workforce constraints and rising non-communicable and environmental health risks underscore the need for sustained investment.

Primary healthcare and preventive services were strengthened significantly, particularly for vulnerable children and families. Under the Universal Programme of Home Visiting (UPHV), 18,158 home visits reached 5,482 people, including 658 Roma and Egyptian (R&E) children younger than five years, supported by standardized tools, monitoring and coaching.
The closed partnership between MoHSW, operator of health services, local health units and local governments was on the basis of UPHV implementation in seven regions. A total of 247 accredited health professionals (48 doctors and 199 nurses) strengthened competencies in child development, screening, parenting support, mental health referral and cross-sectoral collaboration. The programme was embedded in the Child Guarantee National Plan of Action, enhancing sustainability.

UN Albania staff donating blood to help save the lives of children living with thalassemia.

The quality of maternal and newborn care improved, with eight maternities receiving critical equipment alongside updated national protocols and capacity development, with follow-up strengthened through primary healthcare. Targeted interventions also addressed child and adolescent mental health, lead exposure prevention and early childhood health risks.
Public health preparedness was reinforced, with Albania conducting its second Joint External Evaluation, assessing 56 indicators across 19 technical areas under International Health Regulations. Preparedness was further strengthened through the Zoonotic Disease Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan, enhancing capacity to manage emerging health threats.

AT A GLANCE:

$11,001,286

Resources Executed

47,326

PEOPLE were able to access basic services with UN support

4,100

PEOPLE were reached through expanded social protection and care services

72,600

PUPILS were reached through revised curricula & extended school hours

22,500