The European Union (EU) and the UNDP Albania today awarded € 1.2 million in grants to 12 civil society organisations (CSOs). The grant projects will help to increase the employment of r marginalised groups across 19 municipalities in Albania. 

Funded under the EU for Labour Market Inclusion (EU4LMI) project, these grants will enhance employment services and skills development for vulnerable people such as youth and adults not in employment, education, or training (NEET), young mothers, Roma and Egyptian communities, persons with disabilities, and social assistance recipients. 

The ceremony, held at the Technical Vocational School in Korçë, was attended by EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, UNDP Representative Randi Davis in Albania and Mayor of Korce Sotiraq Filo, who all highlighted a shared commitment to inclusive economic growth and equal access to decent work for all Albanians. 

“With these EU-funded grants, we are turning policy into practice—offering real opportunities for people at risk of exclusion to gain skills, find jobs, and build better lives. This initiative is part of a broader €70 million EU assistance programme for social inclusion in Albania, supporting the Government to advance reforms in the social sector and align with EU accession requirements, particularly Chapter 19 on social policy and employment. Because the EU integration is not only about aligning laws—it’s about building a fairer, more inclusive society where no one is left behind,” said EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato.

 “UNDP is proud to support this collaboration,” said Randi Davis, UNDP Representative in Albania. “These initiatives will empower vulnerable groups with better access to the labour market.” 

The €1.2 million grant scheme, coordinated with Albania’s National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES), will deliver tailored services over the next 12 months, focusing on three key areas: employment counselling, training, as well as skills development for persons with disabilities to increase employment opportunities.

The EU4LMI project, funded by the EU and implemented by UNDP Albania in partnership with the Swedish Public Employment Service and the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, promotes inclusive economic growth through collaboration with NAES, line ministries, state social services, municipalities, and CSOs.

More information about the awarded grant projects:

1. Intensive Employment Counselling. Six organizations will provide tailored support: 

• Tjetër Vizion (Elbasan), with Elbasan Municipality and CIES Onlus: Integrated Case Management (ICM) to transition vulnerable jobseekers from social assistance to employment. Target: 100 beneficiaries. 
• Initiative for Social Change – ARSIS (Korçë): Career guidance, mentorship, and internship linkages to boost employability. Target: 80 beneficiaries. 
• National Association of Social Workers (Durrës, Kavajë, Vlorë, Mallakastër): Intensive counselling, skills enhancement, integrated social services, and mentorship for labor market integration. Target: 200 beneficiaries. 
• Youth Roma and Egyptian Movement (LRER) (Elbasan): Counselling and referrals to local social services for labour market integration. Target: 60 beneficiaries. 
• Terre des Hommes (Kukës, Kurbin, Krujë): Vocational training, counselling, job placements, and mentoring. Target: 200 beneficiaries. 
• Joscelyn Foundation (Elbasan, Cërrik, Librazhd, Prrenjas), with Elbasan Municipality: Combines formal/non-formal education, training, and tailored social services for vulnerable youth. Target: 160 beneficiaries.

2. Basic Skills Training. Three grantees will enhance literacy, numeracy, and digital skills: 

• COSV (Pogradec, Korçë), with Pogradec Municipality: Digital, literacy, and numeracy training, plus career guidance, vocational training, and mentoring for long-term unemployed individuals. Target: 60 beneficiaries. 
• Save the Children (Elbasan, Cërrik, Librazhd, Prrenjas): Life skills, literacy, mentoring, employment referrals, and integrated case management. Target: 207 beneficiaries. 
• Center for Skills (Tirana, Shkodër), with Tirana Municipality: Blended learning in essential skills, psychosocial support, and pathways to further education or employment. Target: 200 beneficiaries.

3. Supported Employment and Skills Development for Persons with Disabilities. Three organizations will advance inclusive employment services: 

• Institute for the Promotion of Social and Economic Development (IPSED) (Gjirokastër), with Equilibrium Center: Supported employment model with job counselling, skills development, job matching, on-the-job coaching, and municipal service integration. Target: 75 beneficiaries. 
• Albanian National Association of the Deaf (Shkodër, Tiranë, Kamëz, Vorë), with Center for Comparative and International Studies: Mentorship and vocational training tailored for deaf youth. Target: 100 beneficiaries. 
• Jonathan Center (Tiranë, Shijak), with Special Needs Albania: Inclusive employment through structured support, vocational training, and job coaching. Target: 80 beneficiaries.