SOS Albania - SOS Children’s Villages Albania

SOS Children's Villages Albania

SOS Children’s Villages Albania is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization and an active member of the international umbrella organization – SOS KINDERDORF (SOS Children’s Villages). As members of the federation, SOS Children’s Villages Albania association is committed to applying the federation’s statutes, standards for quality childcare, and stringent financial and administrative practices.

Since 1995

Since 1995, SOS Children’s Villages Albania has provided a family and a healthy environment for the development and growth of children deprived of parental care or at risk of losing the protection of their parents. The association offers family-type care and support to the family and actively advocates for the rights of children and young people.

Our history

Cooperating agreement between the Albania Government and SOS KINDERDORF International for the opening of SOS Children’s Villages Albania.
1993
Building the houses for the children in Sauk, Tirana
1993 – 1995
The first two families of the SOS Children’s Village Tirana were created.
07 July 1995
It was opened the educational facilities SOS Kindergarten.
1995
It was opened SOS Herman Gmeiner School.
16 September 1996
The official inauguration of SOS Children’s Villages Albania.
18 October 1996
It was created the first youth home.
2001
Families Strengthening Program starts in Sauk, Tirana.
01 January 2006
It was created another youth home.
05 August 2006
Families Strengthening Program starts in Don Bosko, Tirana.
01 February 2007
Families Strengthening Program starts in Shkodra.
01 May 2008
Starts “I Matter” project, it was the first national Advocacy campaign of SOS CV Albania. Advocacy for extension of leaving care age from 14 to 18, in public care institutions.
2009
Starts “Care for Me” project, the second national Advocacy campaign of SOS CV Albania. Advocacy for Foster Care development in country
2014
Starts the project “Youth Voice campaign for the future we want” funded by UNFPA
2015
Families Strengthening Program starts in Thumane.
03 December 2015
Starts “Social inclusion and economic empowerment of vulnerable families in Tirana city outskirts” 39 months project funded by BMZ and HGFD
01 October 2016
Starts “Care for Me” project, the second national Advocacy campaign of SOS CV Albania. Advocacy for Foster Care development in country
2017
Starts three years project “Development of CSOs for foster care in Albania” implement in 3 locations Tirana, Durres, Korca, funded by EU Delegation
01 April 2018
Starts “YEEP 1 - Youth empowerment enabling prospects” 39 months regional project, implemented by SOS CV Albania, SOS CV Bosnia-Herzegovina, SOS CV Kosovo, SOS CV Northern Macedonia, SOS CV Serbia, funded by BMZ and HGFD
August 2019
Starts “Youth employability in Shkodra” one year project, funded by GIZ ProSEED
01 September 2019
“Power 4 Youth – Leaving Care” 2 years multi country project, led by SOS CV Albania, in partnership with SOS CV Kosovo, SOS CV Bulgaria, SOS CV Serbia, SOS CV Poland, SOS CV North Macedonia funded by Erasmus+, EU Brussels
November 2019 Starts
Starts “Shelter Facility (Albania) for Returning Unaccompanied Minors” 11 months project, supported by AMIF (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) funded by European Union
01 July 2021
Starts “STEP Streaming Toward Equal Possibilities” 18 months project, led by SOS CV Austria in cooperation with SOS CV Albania, SOS CV Ukraine, SOS CV Bosnia and Herzegovina, funded by the Austrian Ministry of Health
July 2021
Starts “Addressing Systemic Gaps – Support to Child Welfare System Reforms (De-I)” 43 months multi country project implemented by SOS CV Albania, SOS CV Armenia, SOS CV Ukraine, SOS CV Belarus, SOS CV North Macedonia, funded by BMZ
October 2021
Starts the project “Reception and Care Services for Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) in Albania” one year project supported by ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development) funded by European Union
01 August 2022
Starts “YEEP 2 - Youth Empowerment Enabling Prospects” 40 months regional project, implementing by SOS CV Albania, SOS CV Bosnia-Herzegovina, SOS CV Kosovo, SOS CV Northern Macedonia, SOS CV Serbia, funded by BMZ and HGFD
July 2023
Starts the project “Reception Care Services for Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASC) in Albania” one year project supported by ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development) funded by European Union
01 August 2023

Why we are here

SOS Children’s Villages Albania is committed to ensuring that all children in need have quality care, as their basic right. Thanks to the support of international and local partners, companies and individuals that engage in our mission, we realize the promise that every child grows up in a stable family and loved as part of a community that supports it. We believe that no child should grow up alone and that every child should live in a stable and caring family as part of a supportive community. This gives them an opportunity to simply be a child.

When children grow up “alone”, without the love and support of a parent or another stable caregiver, they face a greater risk of discrimination, neglect, abuse and abandonment. They are more likely to be deprived of opportunities to learn, mature and develop life skills, and so they find it more difficult to become contributing members of society

But we can turn this situation around.

Children growing up in a stable and caring family in a supportive community have a greater chance to realize their full potential and lead an independent life. They better develop basic life skills such as communication, cooperation, problem-solving and setting personal goals. They also build self-confidence, determination and resilience. Their caregivers ensure they attend school and access relevant healthcare services. Children are also better able to develop social networks, which can be a source of support in everyday life. Ultimately, they have healthy relationships, find decent jobs and transform their communities for the better.

Reasons for family breakdown

Our Answers & Solutions

SOS Children’s Villages Albania provides concrete answers through four types of interventions:

PREVENTION

PROTECTION

ADVOCACY

SAFEGUARD

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