Sida's work in Albania
Albania has developed rapidly in recent decades. The country has made significant progress in strengthening the economy and bridging political and social divides since the fall of communism in 1991, but challenges remain. Sida's work aims to help move the country towards EU membership by developing its economic system and strengthening democracy and human rights. Sida also contributes to more efficient use of natural resources, increased nature conservation and the reduction of harmful environmental impacts.
Why does Sida work in Albania?
Weak state institutions
Corruption is widespread in the public administration, the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, undermining the credibility and effectiveness of public institutions. Legislation to guarantee human rights exists, but is not always enforced.
Violence against women
Albania has increased its efforts to protect women and girls from physical and psychological violence, but violence is still widespread – especially domestic violence. Sida supports an extensive network of government and civil society actors working together to reduce tolerance of violence, provide protection and support to victims, and strengthen legislation and enforcement.
Slow progress on the environment
Albania is making significant progress in aligning its environmental legislation with EU requirements, but the practical implementation is slow. Protection of nature and biodiversity remains inadequate, and with the growth of tourism, protected areas are often used to build infrastructure and tourist attractions. Emissions from transport and industry lead to deteriorating air quality. The effects of climate change are evident, and the number of natural disasters has increased significantly over the last 40 years.
Examples of what Sida has contributed to
Anti-corruption and strengthening democracy
Sida’s support goes both to increasing the transparency and efficiency of public institutions and to civil society actors monitoring developments. Sida also supports organisations working to coordinate civil society, which has strengthened democracy and respect for human rights in Albania.
Adapting environmental legislation to EU requirements
Sida supports Albania in adapting environmental legislation to meet EU environmental requirements. The support is aimed at both authorities and local environmental organisations working to achieve the requirements.
Increased gender equality
Sida contributes to efforts to combat violence against women and increase gender equality in Albania. Among other things, police officers and the judiciary have been trained in risk assessment in cases of domestic violence. Sida has also helped women’s organisations to create networks that enable cooperation and increased political influence.
Sidas development cooperation in Albania
Sidas development work is intended to bring the country closer to the EU, which is why Sida supports projects that strengthen the country’s democratic development, human rights, gender equality, institutions, authorities and environmental work.
Albania is a democracy with free and universal suffrage. However, corruption is widespread and citizens lack transparency in public administration.
Human rights are well protected in Albanian law, but in practice violations are relatively common. Girls, women and minority groups are particularly vulnerable.
Sida’s support helps to strengthen human rights, gender equality, democratic development and the development of the country’s institutions and authorities. Here are some examples of projects that Sida supports:
A Sida-supported cooperation between the Swedish and Albanian tax authorities is helping to meet EU requirements in the areas of taxation and IT systems. Through new e-services that facilitate compliance, the co-operation has improved the relationship between authorities and taxpayers in Albania.
Domestic and intimate partner violence against women and girls remains widespread in Albania. Through support to the UN Joint Programme on Ending Violence, Sida contributes to efforts to combat men’s violence against women. Among other things, hundreds of police officers have been trained to improve risk assessment in cases of domestic violence.
About the UN Joint Programme on the UN Development Fund (UNDP) website
Through support to the Albanian Women Empowerment Network (AWEN), Sida contributes to the social, economic and political empowerment of women based on human rights.
Although freedom of expression and the press are guaranteed in the Albanian Constitution, media outlets are often closely linked to political and economic interests. This is an obstacle to independent and investigative journalism. To strengthen free and independent media and increase confidence in public service, Sida contributes to a project in which the Swedish Radio’s Media Development Office (SR MDO) is working with the Albanian public service (RTSH) to strengthen freedom of expression.
Political tensions in Albania are strongly linked to widespread corruption. To reduce corruption, all people need to be treated equally before the law and decision-makers need to be held accountable. Institutions such as the judiciary and public authorities need to take greater responsibility and become more inclusive of all citizens.
Sida contributes to strengthening civil society and to increasing freedom of expression, people’s influence and opportunities to hold decision-makers to account. Here is one of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
Sida is helping to strengthen the Albanian State Police’s strategy to better serve local communities. This is done through simplified interfaces, more effective law enforcement and crime prevention measures. It is carried out in cooperation with local authorities and civil society organisations.
Albania faces serious environmental problems, such as pollution, environmental degradation and insufficient protection of nature and biodiversity. Environmental work is often de-prioritised and lacks the administrative and financial resources needed to make the necessary improvements.
Sida strengthens organisations and authorities that improve the country’s environmental work and legislation in this area. Here are some examples of programmes and projects that Sida supports:
Albania has a long way to go to meet EU environmental requirements, which are necessary for the country to join the EU. Sida supports the SANE 27 programme, which contributes to Albania’s efforts to meet EU requirements. This is being done, among other things, by adapting environmental legislation and increasing the participation of local environmental organisations in the country’s environmental work.
EU for Nature is a project that aims to contribute to the protection and conservation of Albanian nature through a system of protected areas. Key elements of the work include supporting Albanian authorities in transposing EU nature conservation legislation, protecting vulnerable species, supporting the Natura 2000 process, and building capacity for inspection and enforcement. Sida is supporting the project, which is co-financed with the EU, through support to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Albania is a middle-income country, where tourism and the construction sector are key drivers. One challenge is that much of the country’s economy is informal, which means fewer resources for investment in sustainable development. Another challenge is high youth unemployment. A large proportion of the young population emigrates for work and studies.
Sida supports programmes and projects that strengthen sustainable economic development that will benefit the entire population. Here are some examples:
Businesses in various sectors are challenged by corruption and lack of funding. To enhance the textile and agricultural industries, contribute to sustainability and better adapt them to European markets, Sida supports the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Business Partnership and Solutions project.
Property taxation in Albania needs to be modernised, which makes it difficult for municipalities to collect taxes. Through the Swedish Tax Agency, Sida is supporting a reform that helps to modernise the regulations and at the same time increase municipal tax revenues and citizens’ confidence in the tax system.
The infrastructure for entrepreneurship and innovation in Albania is very limited and needs to be developed to contribute to a competitive market. The EU4Innovation project, co-financed by the EU, Sida and the German development agency BMZ, aims to make Albania’s economy more innovation-driven and knowledge-based, with a focus on green and digital transformation.
The Swedish government has decided to phase out the strategy. It will be completed by June 30, 2026. A new joint strategy for Eastern Europe, Western Balkans and Türkiye will be announced during 2025.
Updated: May 7, 2025