Albania has embraced and affirmed that it is fully committed to implementing the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” in the context of its national development and as part of its intended pathway toward accession with/ becoming a member of the European Union (EU). Over the years the Government of Albania (GoA) has adopted a range of significant strategies and action plans regarding further priorities for gender equality, women empowerment, social protection reform and for the promotion of social inclusion and has built the legal framework of the social protection system with the vision of providing integrated social services capable to ensure the inclusion of all vulnerable groups and persons. Nevertheless, the development of Albania’s systems for providing populations at risk of poverty or social exclusion with access to social protection, healthcare, employment skills and inclusive education has faced several challenges, the main ones being low levels of coverage, weak mechanisms for inclusivity, weak allocative and technical efficiency, and limited resources.

Over the recent years, Albania experienced two major external shocks within a short period of time: on 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by a very strong earthquake that caused damage to people and the economy, and since March 2020 the country has also been challenged by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted on economic activity and social life in the country. Post pandemic situation has deepened pre-existing inequalities, exposing vulnerabilities in social, political, and economic systems which in turn amplify the negative impact of this crisis.

The ICR project is relevant given the emerging concrete needs of the country’s most vulnerable populations and priorities of the GoA as it intends to empower the vulnerable women and men and the civil society organizations advocating their interests to become, together with the competent Albanian state structures at central and local level, and service providers (public and non-public), the drivers of change for resilience, enjoyment of human rights and equality, social cohesion and livelihoods.

Resilience centers that will be established in three selected municipalities will serve to further build knowledge on the model of social care integrated services with public and non-public partners at local level. Further on, these centers will serve as a convener and catalyst for adequately facing the challenges and finding adequate solutions with vulnerable people at the center. Finally, resilience centers will serve as reference models for elevation and strategic replication in other municipalities.