Where We Work
Albania
Context
Returnees from conflicts abroad also known as Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (RFTFs) are the predominant manifestation of violent extremism in the Western Balkans. Countries in the Western Balkans have had some of the highest number of returnees per capita in the world. Individuals who travelled, and in some cases fought in Syria and Iraq had various motives, usually a mix of personal drivers and justifying ideological objectives. Lack of employment, poverty, and low levels of education further contribute to vulnerability to violent extremism in the Western Balkans.
In Albania five women and 14 children returned in cooperation with the Lebanese General Directorate of General Security. Returnees were first received at the Emergency Reception Centre in Durres coordinated by the CVE Coordination Centre and some have now moved back to their home communities.
Our grant portfolio aims to provide reintegration, rehabilitation, and resocialisation (RRR) support to returnees and their families, while working to strengthen the capacity of frontline workers and nurture an enabling environment for RRR throughout the country.
Country Statistics
Training professionals for better rehabilitation and reintegration
It is our role to ensure that returnees from conflicts abroad are well accepted in the community and access services that they need.
– A frontline worker
Pathways to Change
In Albania, GCERF invests in programmes designed to:
- Synchronise the work of multiple stakeholders in-country committed to preventing violent extremism, and reintegration and rehabilitation.
- Provide trauma-informed rehabilitation support to RFTFs and their families.
- Support a whole-of-community approach to reintegration and preventing and countering violent extremism.
Local Partners in Albania
Newsletter
Sustainable Development Goals
Peace, Justice & Strong Institution
No Poverty
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Decent Work & Economic Growth
Reduced Inequalities
