Delegacioni nga Ministria Federale Gjermane per Bashkepunimin Ekonomik dhe Zhvillim – BMZ Viziton Inspektoriatin Shtetëror të Punës.
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Empowering Municipalities to Embed Human Rights in Local Governance
The Albania Sustainable Development Organization (ASDO), in partnership with the European Policy Institute (EPI) and the Institute for Human Rights (IHR) in North Macedonia, and with the support of the Municipality of Lushnja, has launched the Balkan Human Rights Cities Initiative.
The initiative is implemented under the Civic Innovation Fund (CIF) of THE CIVICS Innovation Hub.
About the Initiative
The project seeks to establish a regional network of municipalities across the Western Balkans that embed human rights principles into their local governance structures.
By promoting inclusive, participatory, and accountability-driven decision-making, the initiative aims to transform municipalities into models of citizen-centered governance where dignity, equality, and transparency guide every public function.
Main Objectives
Under the initiative, ASDO, EPI, and IHR are working together to:
- Map local challenges and opportunities for integrating human rights principles at the municipal level;
- Develop a comprehensive “Challenges & Opportunities Map” as a regional reference tool;
- Deliver capacity-building trainings for municipal staff and local actors;
- Promote cross-border learning and exchange on human rights-based approaches (HRBA).
Expected Impact
By combining the expertise of its three implementing partners, the initiative will:
- Establish a regional framework for recognizing and supporting “Human Rights Cities”;
- Strengthen institutional capacities for rights-based governance in Albania and North Macedonia;
- Foster innovation and local democracy in the Western Balkans;
- Set best practices that can be replicated across the region.
A Regional Vision for Human Rights Governance
The Balkan Human Rights Cities Initiative represents an early step toward scaling up HRBA implementation across Balkan municipalities.
Through pilot activities in selected cities of Albania and North Macedonia, the project will provide evidence, methodologies, and success stories that can inspire the creation of a sustainable Balkan Human Rights Cities Network in the coming years.
