Public Statement from the Assembly of the Code of Standards for NPOs in Albania
Adopted during the latest annual Assembly of the Code of Standards for NPOs in Albania, held in Tirana on 19 May 2025, this statement reflects the shared commitment of its member organizations to uphold integrity, transparency, and responsible governance—at a time of growing challenges for civil society, both locally and globally.
Rooted in local ownership and aligned with global values, this statement underscores the collective will of Code members to raise internal standards, strengthen public trust, and contribute to a more resilient and credible nonprofit sector in Albania.
Accountability builds public trust! It strengthens the credibility of civil society and reinforces our role in promoting a democratic, inclusive, and transparent society. The Code of Standards represents our shared commitment to these values, offering a practical framework for organizations that want to lead by example.
In a time when civil society in Albania operates in a challenging environment—characterized by weak institutional cooperation, declining donor support, insufficient and non-transparent public funding, and public narratives driven by disinformation and defamation—these conditions continue to pose serious threats. They undermine the sector’s sustainability and diminish its contribution to public life and democratic processes.”
In response, we, the members of the Code of Standards, reaffirm our commitment to integrity, transparency, and responsible governance.
We recognize that accountability is not a technical checklist, but a shared practice that builds public trust, protects our space, and strengthens our voice.
Rooted in the principles of the Global Standard for CSO Accountability, our Code reflects a locally owned and globally connected approach to strengthening civil society in Albania. Through this mechanism, we aim to:
- Foster a community of trusted organizations that lead by example;
- Offer practical tools and peer support to improve internal governance and external credibility;
- Advocate for the recognition of accountability as a pillar of legitimacy in civil society–state relations;
- Embed financial transparency and sustainability as core elements of responsible and credible civil society work;
- Mobilize more CSOs to join this collective initiative—not out of obligation, but out of shared purpose and sector-wide solidarity.
We call on our peers in Albania and beyond to continue raising the standards—not only to improve ourselves, but to protect and strengthen the role of civil society in democracy.
As part of a global movement for dynamic accountability, we bring this locally led effort to the international stage—demonstrating how community-driven standards can serve as a foundation for resilience, legitimacy, and collective renewal.
This commitment echoes the values promoted by the Global Standard for CSO Accountability and aligns with the EU Guidelines for Support to Civil Society (2021–2027), which emphasize enabling environments, meaningful dialogue, and sector resilience.
In this spirit, we value the role of donors—particularly the European Union and its Delegation in Albania—in fostering not only financial support, but also in promoting approaches that embed mutual accountability and shared standards as integral elements of a vibrant and independent civil society.
In alphabetical order
- Act for Society
- Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD)
- Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF)
- Balkan Investigative Reporting Network – BIRN Albania
- Beyond Barriers Association (BBA)
- COSV in Albania
- Counseling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG)
- Diakonia Agapes –Foundation Spirit of Love
- Different and Equal
- Free-Travelling Association (Liberi di Viaggiare)
- Elbasan Women’s Forum
- Gender Alliance for Development Centre (GADC)
- Initiative for Social Change (ARSIS)
- International Association for Solidarity (SHIS)
- National Association for Life (SHKEJ)
- Partners Albania for Change and Development
- Resource Environmental Center – Albania (REC Albania)
- Social Contract Institute (SCI)
- Streha Center
- The Center for Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV)
- Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS)
- Vatra Psycho-Social Centre
- Institute for Democracy and Mediation
