Project Snapshot
The Environmental Justice in Albania (EJA) project is a ground-level initiative to tackle environmental crimes by empowering local institutions and communities. Funded by the European Union through the IPA III Programme, this initiative brings together REC Albania, BlueLink Bulgaria, and BIRN Albania, with strategic support from the OSCE’s Presence in Albania.
The EJA project is designed around a comprehensive two-track strategy that addresses environmental crime through institutional empowerment and community engagement. At its core, the initiative focuses on equipping key stakeholders with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively combat environmental violations. Law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts will receive practical support to enhance their investigative and legal capacities, enabling them to more effectively identify, document, and prosecute environmental crimes.
Approach
The project goes beyond traditional approaches by creating direct communication channels between institutions and local communities. This approach aims to break down barriers and foster a collaborative environment where citizens can actively participate in environmental protection. Local stakeholders will be trained to become proactive guardians of environmental justice, learning how to identify and document violations, navigate complex reporting processes, and contribute to building robust legal cases.
To support this ambitious vision, the project will generate several critical resources that have been notably absent in Albania’s environmental justice landscape. The EJA Investigative Corp will serve as a comprehensive database of environmental crime documentation, providing a solid foundation for future investigations. Complementing this, the Cap & Gap Report Series will offer analytical insights into institutional strengths and weaknesses, guiding targeted improvements in environmental law enforcement.
Outputs
A centralized EJA Expertise Platform will emerge as a knowledge hub for environmental legal professionals, facilitating knowledge sharing and continuous learning. The project will also establish an Environmental Crime Reporting Hotline – a dedicated green line that empowers citizens to directly report environmental violations, bridging the gap between community awareness and institutional action.
The ultimate ambition is to create a collaborative network that brings together civil society, investigative media, and law enforcement agencies. By developing a replicable model for combating environmental crimes, the EJA project aims to transform environmental justice from an abstract concept into a tangible, actionable reality in Albania. This hands-on approach promises to not just address environmental violations, but to fundamentally reshape how environmental protection is understood and implemented at a local level.
