The first issue of the electronic publication “Environmental Crime Overview” is published.

This electronic publication is comprised of cases of environmental crime reported by the media and environmental associations and developments around this issue in our country. It was created by environmental organization and members of the environmental crime advisory group in Albania as an instrument to collect and communicate specific cases of environmental crime with the help of law enforcement authorities.

Traces of environmental crime are visible in the country. Unfortunately, there is also no accurate and comprehensive data. The country still lacks a unified system of reporting, preventing and prosecuting such crimes. According to figures from the General Prosecutor’s Office valid for 2019, there were only 266 cases referred to this institution, of which only 66 cases were sent to the Court and 48 were convicted. We know that the country remains affected by environmental crime, which is sometimes very organized and sophisticated, and to combat this act requires resources, institutional cooperation, legislative change and cooperation with civil society and environmental activists.

By uniting their expertise, civil society, academics and the media become an important factor in raising awareness at all levels and helping to increase the efficiency of the work of institutions to address these crimes.

In this context, REC Albania and the OSCE Presence in Albania have taken the initiative to publish a publication entitled “Environmental Crime Digest” with the contribution of all members of the Environmental Crime Advisory Group, as a useful contribution to strengthen a cooperation much needed among all civil society actors.

We hope that the issues included in this publication and those that will follow throughout the year provide recommendations, good practices, case studies and important information, to help relevant agencies make informed and evidence-based decision-making.