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Roma Albania knowledge empowers vulnerable populations
Vulnerable children and their families in 9 regions of Albania have been empowered through higher awareness and knowledge on their rights and on legal procedures (http://www.tdh.ch/en/countries/albania). This is a result of the efforts put by various local stakeholders in the context of the project “Improving access to justice and access to rights of children and marginalized families, with a special emphasis on Roma community” implemented by the Centre for Integrated Legal Services and Practices in collaboration with Terre des hommes.
The project was funded by the European Union Delegation in Albania, with the financial contribution of UNICEF (http://www.unicef.org/) and Save the Children (https://www.savethechildren.ch/en/). It was put into action in the regions of Tirana, Elbasan, Pogradec, Korça, Saranda, Gjirokastra, Durres and rural areas of Fier and Vlora during the period of February 1, 2012 – January 31, 2013.
Over 1,900 adults and 4,500 children have benefited from the 308 awareness-raising activities organized by Terre des hommes on issues such as access to Economic Aid and Social Services, Birth Registration procedures, Measures against domestic violence, and the Rights of minors in criminal proceedings. These sensitizing activities were delivered by groups of volunteers specifically trained by the project and have enabled other children and community members to acquire the necessary information about their rights and how to access them.
Not only are vulnerable children and families better informed on how to access support but the project successfully bridged marginalized communities with relevant public structures at local and central levels. Furthermore, a culture of sensitization on children’s rights and their respect was systematically promoted for a more democratic society.
During the final conference organized to mark the completion of the project, Mrs Blerta Spahiu, Programme Manager at Terre des hommes Albania, presented the achievements to the donors and other stakeholders that participated in the project. “One of the lessons learnt from the implementation of this project is that knowledge empowers, especially the most vulnerable”, Ms Spahiu concluded.
