albania

Save the Children in Albania is an independent and leading organization dedicated to protecting and promoting children’s rights. Since 1999, we have been working hands-on across 12 districts, urban and rural areas of Albania, reaching the most vulnerable children and families at scale. We focus on those often excluded because of poverty, disability, geographic isolation, gender, or ethnic background.

We don’t just respond to problems, we address them at their roots. We combine proven approaches with innovative solutions to create lasting, meaningful change for children and entire communities.

Our Mission:  
 

We work to ensure that all children and adolescents in Albania fully enjoy their rights to:

• Inclusive Education and Early Childhood Care and Development
• Protection from violence, exploitation, neglect, and the impacts of the climate crisis
• Participation, so their voices are heard and respected
• Adolescents and Youth Empowerment with life and professional skills
• Healthy Behaviours and Reduction of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• Humanitarian aid in times of crisis

We support Albania’s journey toward European integration by helping build a child-friendly society where every child has equal opportunities.

Whether in times of development or emergency, we are there delivering tailored support that meets children’s and young people real needs and creates lasting change. 

Children in Albania make up a large share of the population, but their number is gradually declining due to migration and demographic changes. Despite progress in children’s rights, many children and young people still face poverty, inequality, violence, and limited access to quality services.

• Around 1 in 5 children lives in poverty, with many experiencing food insecurity and poor nutrition. Vulnerable groups such as children from Roma and Egyptian communities, children with disabilities, and those in rural areas are disproportionately affected.
• Migration continues to strongly impact children and youth, as many young people leave the country due to limited job opportunities and unemployment. Those who remain may face reduced care or higher risks of school dropout, while young people on the move face protection risks and limited services.
• Youth unemployment remains high, making the transition from education to work difficult and often leading to informal or insecure jobs. At the same time, unequal access to quality education and services continues to create gaps in opportunity and outcomes.
• Children also face significant protection risks, including violence, bullying, and growing online threats. Health concerns are increasing as well, with rising issues linked to nutrition, inactivity, and mental health, despite improvements in child survival rates.
• Children with disabilities continue to face barriers to inclusion, particularly in education and support services.

While Albania has strong commitments to children’s rights, continued investment and coordinated action are needed to ensure that every child and young person is safe, included, and able to reach their full potential.
 

Save the Children in Albania delivers impactful programs across six thematic areas: Education and ECCD, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Health Promotion, Reducing Child and Youth Poverty, and Humanitarian Response.

In 2025, we directly reached more than 40,700 children and adults in 12 districts through inclusive education, vocational training, school health promotion, child participation, climate action, and emergency support.

Our Key achievements included improved school inclusion and attendance for vulnerable children, stronger employability pathways for youth, institutionalization of school health tools within national systems, establishment of the Child Advisory Body, humanitarian support for Afghan families and rapid flood response in three regions.

Our work advances children’s rights by promoting inclusive education, meaningful child participation, better access to protection and health services, and stronger national and local policies.

Despite ongoing challenges such as child poverty, violence, service gaps, and climate risks, Save the Children in Albania contributes to tangible progress toward a more equitable, safe, and supportive environment for every child.