- UNHCR main Government counterpart is the Ministry of Interior, specifically the Directorate for Asylum and Citizenship, the Border and Migration Police and the National Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers. In addition, UNHCR cooperates with line Ministries, particularly Ministry of Health and Social Protection and Ministry of Education, to ensure inclusion of refugees in national systems.
- UNHCR has progressively increased its cooperation with the Ombudsperson’s Office particularly regarding rights monitoring at borders.
- Collaboration with the Albanian Parliament has also increased to foster legal amendments on matters pertaining UNHCR’s mandate.
- UNICEF, OSCE and the Council of Europe (CoE) have proven to be key partners to build capacities and promote refugee rights. The EU Delegation and diplomatic missions, including of major UNHCR donors have also substantially contributed to develop the asylum system in Albania.
- UNHCR is an active member of the United Nations Country Team, supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and improving human rights in the country for all UNHCR’s persons of concern. UNHCR leads the UNCT contingency preparedness in the context of mixed movements of population.
- UNHCR partners with NGOs/CSOs including such as Refugee and Migrant Services in Albania (RMSA), CARITAS Albania, Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS), Institute of Romani Culture in Albania (IRCA), etc. Collaboration and consultation with a wider range of national and international NGOs takes place on issues of common interest, such as child protection issues and contingency preparedness.
