OSCE Presence in Albania wraps up series of Civil Society Forums with discussion on civil society’s challenges

OSCE Presence in Albania-supported public discussions held across Albania - in Shkodra, Durrës and Korça - on civil society’s challenges and its future concluded on 7 November 2019 with the Korça Civil Society Forum.

Some 50 civil societies took part in the events organized with the support of active local civil society development partners; the Arka Youth Centre in Shkodra and the Civil Society Development Centre in Durrës.

Discussions, which started in October, built on good practices established during the extended meetings held last year with civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kruja, Lezha and Gjirokastra. Through these events, the Presence reached out to CSOs and community activists at the local level in a series of discussions centred on capacities and responsiveness of the civil society sector outside the capital.

Participants discussed the current state of civil society and general activism, challenges and obstacles, and shared their know-how on improving donor-CSO co-operation at the local and regional level.

The series brought a clearer picture of the situation of Albanian CSOs at both the regional and national level. An audience of active and highly motivated civil society stakeholders shared their views on the CSOs’ capacities, opportunities, challenges and concerns with the OSCE. Participants discussed and exchanged views on potential programmes and opportunities to develop civil society at all levels, and explored the possibilities of improving their networking and fundraising skills.

The Presence continuously seeks to take stock of concerns, capabilities and co-operation opportunities with CSOs across the country. In fulfilment of its overall commitment for a strong and proactive civil society in the country, the Presence seeks to promote and support an enabling environment for civil society development.

The Forums enabled the Presence to share important information and updates with key donors participating in the Working Group on Civil Society. The findings should aid in improving the targeting of their interventions, in terms of approaches to projects and programmes.