Albania has been declared as official mine-free, following the hand over of the last mine-affected areas. Since 1999 over 16 million square meters of land has been cleared and handed over to local communities for productive use. In all, a total of 12,452 anti-personnel mines, 152 anti-tank mines and 4,965 unexploded ordinances were found and destroyed.

In the first initiative of its kind in Albania, UNIFEM, through the support of the Austrian Development Cooperation, has partnered with the Municipality of Elbasan to provide citizens, particularly women, with the opportunity to define and prioritize local needs and jointly decide how a percentage of local revenue is allocated.

 
 

In this film you will hear from members of the Roma community themselves as they describe the challenges they face and their hopes and aspirations for the future. The Government of Albania has committed itself to integrate vulnerable ethnic minorities within wider society. The United Nations in Albania is supporting the Government of Albania in this process. Ensuring meaningful social inclusion is seen as a central test to Albanias aspirations towards joining the European Union.

  

Implemented in the regions of Tirana, Elbasan and Fier, the UN Joint Programme "Empowering the Vulnerable Communities of Albania" aims to empower the Roma Community to become active citizens and provides vocational training opportunities under one of the programme's components. Eight young Roma from the village of Driza in Fier are some of the first students to complete vocational training; concluding a 120 hour plumbing course.

  
 

The UNDP e-Schools Project aims to provide primary and secondary schools in Albania with modern computer labs, equipped with high-speed, reliable Internet connectivity. The Programme also addresses the needs and capacity of teachers to use ICT through a number of practical training courses and developed ICT curricula.

  

Youth Empowerment through Volunteerism is a joint initiative of United Nations Volunteers, World Vision Albania, Peace Corps, Shqiperiandryshon and CAAP.

  
 

Climate change is a defining challenge of our time. The Drini--Mati River Deltas on Albania's eastern coast is a biodiversity zone of national and global significance. It has been identified as highly vulnerable to the impacts of current and expected climate change. UNDP is supporting local authorities and their constituents to develop the region's conservation and development programmes, plans and policies that seek to safe-guard the fragile ecosystem and ensure local livelihoods.

  

Advancing gender equality and the rights of women is a focus of the United Nation's work in Albania, supporting the national priority to achieve Millennium Development Goal 3: Gender Equality. As part of the United Nations Joint Programme on Gender Equality, the United Nations Development Programme is piloting a model for a coordinated community response to domestic violence in the municipalities of Korca, Durres and Kamza.

  
 

The UN Joint Programme Empowering the Vulnerable Communities of Albania was implemented in the regions of Tirana, Elbasan and Fier and supported the social integration of the most marginalized members of the Roma and Egyptian community. An essential part of the programme's success was the role played by Roma Community Exchange Workers, who empowered other community members to become actively engaged in their own development challenge.

  

The One UN Joint Programme Culture and Heritage for Social and Economic Development supports the Government of Albania to harness the country's potential for a unique cultural heritage experience, to strengthen its national identity and create economic opportunities for poor and rural communities, enhance investments and position the nation positively in Europe and the rest of the world.

  
 

Participation in the Albanian Model UN provides students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of international relations while strengthening leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution, public speaking and research skills. The Model UN Project encourages young people to take an active role in international affairs, and promotes their rights and aspirations for a better global partnership.

  

Participation in the Albanian Model UN provides students with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of international relations while strengthening leadership, negotiation, conflict resolution, public speaking and research skills. The Model UN Project encourages young people to take an active role in international affairs, and promotes their rights and aspirations for a better global partnership.