Save the Children has a very long history in Albania. We came here first in response to the Kosova/o crisis of 1924, when Kosovar people were facing ethnic cleansing fled to Turkey and from there into Albania.
Save the Children, then a new and small organisation, authorised the expenditure of £1,000 [60,000 EURO at today's prices] for the settlement of 25 refugee families.

Save the Children returned to Albania at the time of the latest Kosovo crisis in 1999. It began as joint emergency programme of Save the Children Norway, UK and US. After the crisis, we assessed the situation of Albanian children as very critical. This urged us to remain and develop a programme focused on direct and practical intervention to improve the lives of children.
Initially. Save the Children in Albania efforts to improve Albanian children situation were mainly focused in the areas of Education, Child Trafficking and Early Childhood Development.

Currently, Save the Children in Albania is committed and is working under a strategic plan 2010-2013.

Significant results for children have been achieved in our priorities thematic areas and other greater positive changes for children of Albania are expected to happen by 2013.
In progress thematic areas include: Education, Early Childhood Development, Child Protection and Child Rights Governance

The strategic intent for the programmes is:

In Pre-school and Basic Education, there will be safer schools with less violence against children and less violence by them. Children will know their rights and be actively participating. There will be less discrimination and more inclusiveness6 and tolerance. Children will enjoy improved academic performance and life skills. There will be more access to education in relation children’s abilities and culture. Children will become better citizens

In Child Protection, children will live in a more protected environment, with a child protection system in place, including community mobilization and organization. A centre will offer support to street children, with local authority support.

In Child Rights Governance, there will be proper legislation protecting children’s rights, birth registration allowing children to access services, child participation in CRC monitoring (and as a cross-cutting principle) and advocacy through networks.

Save the Children in Albania has established a high profile and sound reputation in child rights issues. This puts the team in a strong position to influence and work with key decision makers and partners based on good practice experience.

Save the Children in Albania focuses its work on capacity building and strengthening of services for children and the creation of a policy and legislative environment which responds to key child rights issues in the country.
Save the Children in Albania also empowers and supports children to increase their meaningful participation in society. We act as an advocate of children’s rights and influence decisions which will bring about changes in their future.