Durrës, Albania – In a powerful display of collaboration and commitment, 14 municipalities and their associations from Western Balkans economies came together to showcase the inspiring outcomes of their efforts to promote social inclusion and support vulnerable groups, as part of the “Regional Co-operation for Better Social Inclusion at Local Level“ project’s final event.

As part of the project, municipalities designed and implemented 23 innovative, community-driven approaches tailored to the specific needs of their local populations. These inclusive solutions have positively impacted the lives of over 800 people, underscoring the power of local action in creating more equitable, resilient, and just communities.

During the event’s highlight—the “Market of Achievements”—five Local Government Associations shared real-life stories of individuals whose lives have been transformed through practical, people-centred services. These included day-care center and mobile outreach teams services, providing psychosocial support, professional rehabilitation and reintegration, socialising and cyber safety initiatives.

The diverse range of activities reached: 280 children with disabilities, 60 adults with disabilities, 170 elderly persons, 300 parents (primarily mothers) and numerous youth and other vulnerable individuals facing various social challenges.

In a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences, participants at the Final Event engaged in a series of peer sessions. These included the Partner Municipalities Peer Exchange, the 7th Meeting of NALAS Regional Working Group on Social Inclusion and Migration, LGAs’ Social Inclusion Committees Peer Exchange, and a CLO Meeting. Throughout these sessions, participants assessed valuable lessons learned from the project’s implementation. They passionately exchanged insights and crafted forward-looking recommendations to NALAS aimed at enhancing social inclusion policies across the Western Balkans and SEE region.

Participants also had the opportunity to take part in field visits to two essential service centers in Durrës:

• The Community-Based Services Center for Children with Disabilities, which supports children aged 2 to 21 in achieving full inclusion in schools, kindergartens, and their communities.
• The Empowering Community Center, a municipal-level hub for integrated social services, offering support to women, girls, men, and boys in vulnerable situations and helping their well-being, creating opportunities, and social connection.

Through conversations with dedicated staff at both centers, visitors gained valuable insights into how these services are organised, and how to ensure long-term sustainability. The examples and the outcomes of their work served inspirational for the participants from the Western Balkans.

Through the exchanges among participants and regional partners, the Project not only showcased the innovative spirit and determination of local governments, but also reaffirmed that true social inclusion starts at the community level—where solutions are shaped by the people, for the people.