The two mediation centers in Tirana and Durres are operated by CSSP -
Berlin Center for Integrative Mediation Albania Office in cooperation
with the National Chamber of Mediators (NCM) and the Albanian
Foundation for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation of Disputes
(AFCR).
The establishment and management of both centers is a crucial part of
the project “Strengthening the Mediation system in Albania”, funded by
the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by CSSP in
coordination with the NCM and the AFCR.
Tirana and Durres Centers are pilots of what is foreseen to be a
positive practice for the other regions of Albania to follow later on.
Albania is currently undergoing a substantial and comprehensive reform
of the justice system. Due also to the undergoing vetting process, the
courts and prosecution offices are experiencing an increase of the
cases backlog and an extension of the average length of the trials.
Mediation, as well as other instruments of Alternative Dispute
Resolution, could play a key role in supporting the justice system in
this delicate phase.
The Mediation Centers aim at supporting mediators by, on one hand, building trust and cooperation with public institutions and private clients, thus leading to the increasing number of cases referred from them and, on the other by offering to the mediators and the parties a safe, comfortable and professional space where to solve disputes quickly and efficiently.
The project operates with the support of and in coordination with the
Albanian High Judicial Council, the Tirana and the Durres District
Courts and the Durres Prosecution Office.
In addition to the establishment of the two mediation centers in
Tirana and Durres, other Project activities focus on supporting the
development of the mediation system at the national level. Examples of
this are advising and assisting the Ministry of Justice in the
drafting of bylaws and standards, supporting the implementation of the
new legal framework, developing training curricula and capacity
building, etc. Activity lines also include the professional exchange
between government officials and mediation experts between Albania and
other countries, in relation to the good experience developed by CSSP
in its other programs.
CSSP - Berlin Center for Integrative Mediation is a non-profit organization based in Berlin, Germany specialized in mediation, inter-community dialogue facilitation and conflict resolution, with local offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Albania. In the past, CSSP has also worked in Serbia, North Macedonia and Nepal.
The National Chamber of Mediation is an independent public entity that exercises its activity based on the Mediation Law no. 10385, dated 02.02.2011, as amended. NCM regulates and controls the mediation profession, by training mediators every year through continuous trainings, and by providing basic trainings for the new mediators.
Albanian Foundation for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation of
Disputes
is a professional non-profit organization with 25 years of experience
in the promotion, development and implementation of mediation in
Albania.