Our work
The Presence covers a broad bandwidth of activities, ranging from tasks in the politico-military sphere, such as arms control measures and the fight against terrorism and trafficking, to a large work programme in the human dimension. The latter includes, among other issues, electoral assistance, anti-corruption initiatives, gender mainstreaming projects, human rights protection, as well as legislative, judicial and media reform.
Arms control
Decreasing the threats posed by small arms and light weapons
In the field of arms control, the Presence specifically supports Albania’s efforts to implement its OSCE commitments in preventing and combating the spread of small arms and light weapons.
A police dog unit exhibits skills in detecting narcotics and firearms at a Western Balkans regional event organized by OSCE Presence in Albania, Tirana, 7 June 2024.
Border management
Helping improve the effectiveness of border police
The Presence works with the Albanian State Police to help improve their effectiveness in combating and preventing all forms of transnational threats. It supports the establishment of police co-operation centres and upholds the regional cross-border co-operation mechanism to enhance information exchange.
First aid provided to one of the irregular migrants during a simulation exercise focused on irregular migration, 17 October 2019.
Countering terrorism
Preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization
To prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization in the country, the Presence works closely with Albania’s CVE ('Countering Violent Extremism') Co-ordination Centre to co-ordinate, integrate and synchronize the activities of central bodies with grass root organizations, community members, religious leaders, youth and women non-governmental organizations.
Participants at the training seminar on special regime in high security prisons, Tirana, 16 June 2023.
Policing
Introducing modern policing techniques
To address the threat of organized crime and drug trafficking, the Presence organizes specialized training courses on the use of modern policing techniques, promotes co-operation among law enforcement agencies and helps strengthen their international network.
Thirty Albanian police officers completed specialized alpine training, organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania with Austrian Federal Police trainers, to boost mountain safety for communities and tourists, Korça, 13 March 2025.
Reform and co-operation in security sector
Strengthening the capacities of law enforcement
The Presence works with Albanian institutions at central and local levels to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement agencies and offer expertise on security issues, including on crisis management. It works directly with Albania’s communities to address security risks in the country.
One of the sessions of the advanced risk assessment training for State Police analysts organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania, Tirana, 11 April 2025.
Good governance
Supporting democratic governance principles
By giving political support at the central level and providing technical expertise at the local, municipal level, the Presence promotes progress in territorial administration, advancing decentralization and local autonomy.
One of the training sessions on environmental enforcement for inspectors, police and prosecutors, Shkodra, 19 November 2024.
Elections
Helping reform the electoral system
The Presence provides technical assistance to Albania’s parliament to bring the country’s electoral framework fully in line with OSCE commitments. It also facilitates an inclusive and constructive dialogue among political parties on election issues and supports capacity-building of the Central Election Commission and civil society actors.
A university student casts her vote during a simulation exercise part of an OSCE-supported voter education and information campaign, Shkodra, 16 May 2024.
Human rights
Strengthening fundamental human rights and freedoms
Alongside national institutions and civil society, the Presence works to strengthen fundamental human rights and freedoms in Albania. It provides targeted advice to Albania’s authorities to ensure the efficient implementation of legislation in line with international obligations, standards and OSCE commitments.
Roundtable on strengthening dialogue between national human rights institutions and representatives of local authorities and civil society organizations, Roskovec, 11 December 2024.
Media
Supporting media freedom and development
The Presence monitors and supports media freedom and media development, ranging from upgrading professional standards to ensuring the legal framework is in full compliance with OSCE principles. It encourages transparency and the right to freedom of information and opinion, and supports journalists’ safety.
Representatives from media, public institutions, academics, and civil society gather at the OSCE Presence in Albania's 10th annual Media Development Forum, Tirana, 23 October 2024.
Parliamentary support
Helping introduce standardized practices and tools
With the aim to strengthen the Assembly of Albania’s legislative and oversight role, the Presence helps introduce standardized practices and tools, promotes outreach activities and monitors visits across the country, thereby also boosting accountability and public trust.
Albania's newly established parliament gathers in plenary session, Tirana, 29 September 2025.
Rule of law
Legislative and judicial reform
Legislative and judicial reform are at the core of the Presence’s activities, which aim to foster the advancement of the rule of law in Albania in line with international standards and OSCE commitments. The Presence also works to develop research capacities of professionals, academics and policy-makers in the field of criminology.
The OSCE Presence's project “On Establishing a Master’s Programme in Criminology” is financially supported by the US Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and implemented in close co-operation with the Faculty of Law of the University of Tirana, with the support of the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior.
Combating human trafficking
Strengthening co-operation among national institutions, authorities and civil society
The Presence supports Albania’s institutions and civil society by promoting a comprehensive, human rights-based approach to combating trafficking in human beings. It provides tailored technical assistance and capacity-building to law enforcement, judiciary and social protection institutions, and helps in the development of policies.
Representatives from Albanian state institutions and civil society organizations engaged in the first hackathon against trafficking in human beings in Albania, Tirana, 7 February 2024.
Gender equality
Supporting women empowerment and access to decision-making
The Presence supports women empowerment and access to decision-making through a series of interventions, ranging from donor co-ordination efforts to direct support to raise the capacities of locally elected women officials.
The second generation of women members of municipal councils who completed the OSCE Presence's Women Municipal Excellence Programme, Tirana, 7 October 2022.
Youth
Engaging with young people
Recognizing the vital role young people play as agents of change, the Presence promotes youth engagement, participation and education on democracy by helping young people to directly reach out to the parliament, international organizations and to central and local authorities.
Participants at the Youth Trail pose for a picture, Tirana, 15 September 2017.
OSCE in action
The Organization’s work and teams in related fields
The OSCE’s work is based on a comprehensive security concept, encompassing 23 fields of work. Learn more about the Organization’s activities and teams working in fields relevant to the Presence in Albania.
Contact
