Addressing Systemic Gaps – Support to Child Welfare System Reforms - SOS Children’s Villages Albania
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Addressing Systemic Gaps – Support to Child Welfare System Reforms

  • Project duration 43 months (October 2021 – April 2025)
  • Multi country project implemented by SOS Children’s Villages Albania, SOS Children’s Villages Armenia, SOS Children’s Villages Ukraine, SOS Children’s Villages Belarus, SOS Children’s Villages North Macedonia
  • In Albania the project locations are Tirana, Korça, Vlora, Shkodra
  • The goal is to support the relevant central and local stakeholders to shift from residential care services toward community-based care services for children, young people and vulnerable families, the project is in line with DE-I National Plan 2020-2022
  • The De-I project, is funded by German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ)
The Global Program entitled “A Right to Family – De-Institutionalization to Reform Child Protection Systems in Albania, Armenia, Belarus, North Macedonia and Ukraine” aims to improve children’s rights with a specific focus on supporting the reform of alternative childcare systems and the deinstitutionalization process in 5 target countries: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, North Macedonia and Ukraine. All the activities included in this global program are planned with sustainability as a key principle. With its multi-level approach, the program aims to support central and local government in improving legal frameworks to ensure support, care and protection of children in need through the combinations of planned interventions and activities (individual support to vulnerable families and children as well as professionals, building support structures, and awareness raising. The positive social and economic impacts will extend far beyond the lifetime of the program. In Albania, a new policy, legal and institutional framework for the social and child protection system has been developed in recent years. This process included adoption of the new Law on Social Welfare Services (2016), Law on Children’s Rights and Protection (2017) as well the approval of National DE-Institutionalization plan 2020-2022 based on which also the project intervention were designed. The project target 4 main municipalities Tirana, Shkodra, Vlora, Korҁa and aim those vulnerable children are supported in their individual cognitive, emotional and social development through high-quality prevention services, community-based care and deinstitutionalization efforts in line with the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. The project contributes to several levels of interventions:

1. Macro level

Clear legal and operational frameworks for the provision of alternative care (foster care and youth services) and prevention services provide a framework for action tailored to the needs of vulnerable children and are aligned with the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children.

2. Meso level

Albanian decision makers at local and national level, professionals and the wider public in Albania have been sensitized to the need for foster care for vulnerable children. Decision makers at local and national level have been equipped with methodological tools related to case management, evidence-based parenting programs and foster care. Furthermore, relevant professionals are educated and trained to use their capacity and expertise to provide quality support services for vulnerable children in line with children’s rights.

3. Micro leve

In 4 target communities, vulnerable children have access to innovative, high-quality community-based prevention and alternative care services

Direct target group:

  • 300 children who are at risk of losing parental care for various reasons: live in difficult circumstances/vulnerable families, have disabilities, impairments, behavioral disorders or have been reintegrated into biological families after placement in alternative care.
  • 232 parents / foster parents-parents in difficult life situation & prospective foster parents (incl. kinship parents). Vulnerable parents struggle with socio-economic challenges and exclusion for various reasons.
  • 75.000 inhabitants of Albania and 400 community members to be informed on the importance of foster care service.
  • 60 Stakeholders and professionals (public institutions, CSOs). Target municipalities and communities.
  • 15 decision makers on central and local government to exchange and contribute on further development of foster care services.
  • 210 frontline professionals including child protection co-workers, social workers from governmental and non-governmental organizations, case managers, professionals / experts from local government.
  • 10 journalists and media professionals from national and private mass and social media to promote the importance of foster care service and deinstitutionalization process.

Current results: All the planned activities are being carried out in close collaboration with central and local government in order to achieve the expected results.

– In close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection a National Youth Care model is drafted aiming to target all the needed services for young people in alternative care including after care services.

– A national awareness raising campaign has been prepared and being implemented to sensitize the general population in regard foster care services.

– Study visit for 14 national and local policy makers was organized in May in Skopje- North Macedonia with the focus on foster care development.

– 2 evidence-based methodologies for parenting capacity building in place to be used by local structures in target municipalities.

– Capacity building activities have been provided for 176 local professionals in topics related to re-integration, parenting programs, and preparing for leaving care.

– 4 local workshops have been held in 4 target municipalities where 80 local stakeholders have increased awareness on foster care service.

– 3 community structures in Korça and Tirana Municipality are enriched and adapted into child friendly premises to provide quality support.

– 213 children supported with preventive services based on individual needs.

– 70 parents supported on parental capacity building programs

– 11 foster families identified and being supported to fulfill administrative procedures.

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Account Details

  • Bank: Credins Bank sh.al
  • SWIFT: CDISALTRXXX
  • Account Holder: Shoqata SOS Fshati Femijeve Shqiperi
  • Account Number: 00000185006
  • Currency: ALL
  • IBAN*: AL02 2121 1009 0000 0000 0018 5006

Eli*, no longer a child today

A different story for some, but the same for others
I grew up in SOS Children’s Village Tirana together with other children. Now that I remember in the first days, I thought that the only thing I and them had in common were our sad stories. They were my brothers and sisters, and we were all similar and unique in our own ways.

To better understand, let's start from the beginning of Eli's story.

In 1999, I was placed in the SOS Children’s Village Tirana after my family split up. I was scared and confused but also a little but curious. “What is this place?” I though. “Welcome to the family”, was the first phrase the SOS mother said to me. I quickly learned that it is called a family for a reason. The most important person for us in it was the mother. Her efforts to take care of us make her the most important in our eyes. Even though we were not siblings by blood, we became more than that. Although I was only 10 years old, my life in the SOS Children’s Village Tirana felt like a fresh start. I learned to warmly live with people whom I never knew or expected to encounter in my lifetime.

As we mature, we come to realize that happiness can be found even in the midst of sorrowful tales. During my time in the village, I developed a newfound appreciation for the love that comes with having siblings. Sara* and Ani* became my sisters in the household, and together we shared both our troubles and aspirations. We played, laughed, and even shed tears together. Hand in hand, we grew up alongside each other and created countless cherished memories. Is that the entirety of what a sister represents in the end?

In the village, I discovered my love for sports and aspired to become the best possible version of myself.
Through hard work and the support of those who believed in me, I succeeded. I was able to graduate from the University of Sports. I am proud not only of my achievements, but also of the happiness I brought to my family and supporters. My life has been a great journey. I have had the chance to grow in a different environment from most of my peers but in a very beautiful way. As a mother of two children, I now comprehend the significance of love, shelter, and family. Today, I can realize how much spiritual fulfilment I received where I grew up.
Sometimes it feels like I am part of a story written in a book where only my imagination can give life to the words. My sister Sara* tells me of being very poetic but I like it. I want to see life this way, open to accept the future surprises that life can bring.
*Kindly note that for privacy and child protection reasons, we have changed the original names of the children.”

Give children the chance for a better future.

Ada*, 11 years old

Working to keep families together is our superpower!

“Dear diary, I’m writing to you because I don’t want to share my wishes with my parents. I know that they will not be able to make it happen for me, and this causes sadness in their eyes…” 

Ada had written in her notebook, which she named “Ada’s Diary”.

Ada’s mother is unable to work due to her mental health conditions, and occasionally she is unable to care for girls. Ada’s grandmother is available to help, but she is old and in poor health. Ada’s father is the only provider of food for the family, but not having a profession makes it even harder for him to find a job. Ada and her sister did not attend school regularly.

They had been experiencing a decline in their school results despite the support and care shown by her grandmother and father. Their family situation affected their performance at school and their relationship with peers. For Ada her best friend was only her older sister who understand her, and her notebook.
Ada’s journey with the SOS Children’s Villages in Albania started three years ago. In a time, when her parents were struggling to keep the family together and were having difficulties in providing the care and stability that the children need.
Through SOS Children’s Villages projects in prevention and protection, every family member got the support needed to help them thrive and make their family succeed. Our colleagues made sure that Ada’s mother took all the needed medications and supported her in accessing social and healthcare services.

Fredi*, her father, participated in various parenting workshops to improve his parental skills. Ada and her sister were supported with psychological consulting and education, including school supplies, learning materials and after-school help. Ada and her family members worked together with the social workers, and experts to strengthen the family.

During a training session after a year of receiving support, Fredi said:
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I work hard, I love my family, and I take care of my children, my wife and my mother. We all face challenges at different times, but some struggles can be more difficult than others. My situation has taught me that we should be less judgmental and more supportive of those going through difficult times. Through my experiences, I have come to understand that even simple acts of kindness can have a significant impact on those who are struggling with various challenges in their lives.”

In our work, together with partners, donors, communities, local municipalities we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We enable families to find better ways of being there for each other.
*Kindly note that for privacy and child protection reasons, we have changed the original names of the children.”

Be our partner in supporting more children to stay and grow with their families.