TIRANA, March 14/ATA/ Minister of Health and Social Protection Albana Koçiu together with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos visited Elbasan today.
On the second day of her first official visit to Albania, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos travelled to Elbasan where she visited EU-funded projects and engaged directly with their beneficiaries.
Together with Minister Koçiu, Commissioner Kos began her visit at a carpet-weaving workshop supported through an EU grant. Launched in 2021, the initiative has transformed a confiscated criminal asset into a thriving social enterprise. Managed by the Joscelyn Foundation in collaboration with Partners Albania in Elbasan and Libera from Italy, the workshop provides women from vulnerable backgrounds—some of whom were victims of organized crime—with the opportunity to learn new skills, gain employment, and achieve financial independence for their families.
The Commissioner and the Minister then took part in an in-depth conversation in a safe environment with women survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.
Hosted by World Vision Albania and the Women’s Forum Elbasan, the meeting highlighted the impact of EU-funded support for victims, including psychological counselling, legal aid, and economic empowerment programmes.
The Commissioner and the Minister listened to the personal experiences of these courageous women and learned how the project is helping them rebuild their lives.
“During this visit, we were also at the “Rise Her” empowerment center for women and girls, where we met with strong women, including survivors of domestic violence, who are building a better future for themselves and their families,” said Minister Koçiu.
She emphasized that supporting women and creating safer and more inclusive communities remains a shared priority.
“Together, we are building a stronger Albania and closer to the EU,” added Koçiu.
About the EU-Funded Projects:
- TWIST Project:
TWIST (ToWards a new socIal entrepreneurShip model in confiscated assets in Albania) is a €500,000 EU-funded initiative aimed at repurposing confiscated assets for social entrepreneurship. The project, which was successfully finalised in February 2025 by Libera, the Municipality of Tirana and Partners Albania, supported local NGOs, like the Joscelyn Foundation, in creating social enterprises that provide services and employment to vulnerable groups, including victims of crime. Social entreprises in confiscated assets were supported in Durres, Fier, Gjirokaster, Shkodra and Puka regions.
- RISE HER Project:
The RISE HER project (Revitalize Independence and Solid Empowerment for Her) is funded by the European Union with a EUR 0.5million grant and implemented by World Vision Albania and the Women’s Forum Elbasan, with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. The initative provides life-saving services to survivors of gender-based violence in Elbasan and surrounding municipalities. The project focuses on supporting the independence and empowerment of women and girls, offering shelter, legal, psychological, and social services./p.s./
