EU continues its support to Albanian civil society. Eight contracts were presented today with a
variety of non-governmental organisations to support vulnerable groups and promote their
rights. The actions supported include empowering victims of domestic violence, employment
promotion for people with disabilities, protection of children at risk and disabled children, and
fight against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The projects, worth a total of
approximately €1.2 million, are granted under one of the EU’s financial instruments to
promote democratisation and fundamental rights globally – the European Instrument for
Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
Further to the European Commission's 2010 Opinion on Albania's EU membership application,
as the Enlargement Strategy 2013-2014 points out, there are five priorities that Albania needs
to meet for the opening of accession negotiations. These key areas include, among others, the
need to "take effective measures to reinforce the protection of human rights, including of Roma, and anti-discrimination policies, as well as implement property rights". The priorities reflect the Union’s fundamental principles and values which aspiring members are required to actively adopt too.
During the presentation of the new projects, the Head of the EU Delegation to Tirana, Ambassador Ettore Sequi emphasised that civil society plays a pivotal role in advancing human rights. “The role of NGOs to make the country advance towards Albania's EU accession perspective is very important, in parallel with efforts and commitments from the Government side”. Ambassador Sequi also noted the importance of close contact with vulnerable groups and between civil society organizations as being crucial “in order to understand problems better, generate better solutions and join efforts in advocating for the rights of these communities”, concluded Ambassador Sequi.
Since 2007, the EU has granted €600,000 every year for civic action for human rights through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights. Over the past 7 years, and through various financial instruments, the EU has supported the activities of Non-Governmental Organisations with over €12.5 million to promote, amongst others, the respect of human rights and social inclusion, the fight against corruption, the conservation of cultural heritage, and the protection of the environment...(link)