Open Call: Partnership in support of the operational delivery of 2027 – 2030 UNHCR Strategy (Albania)

Deadline: 09-Oct-2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is seeking experienced partners to support the operational delivery of its 2027–2030 strategy in Albania, focusing on protection, legal assistance, socio-economic inclusion, and support for refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. Albania is an important transit country along the Western Balkans migration route and hosts refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons from countries including Sudan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Afghanistan, and others. The partnership aims to strengthen protection systems, improve access to legal assistance and documentation, and support the inclusion and self-reliance of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.

About the UNHCR NGO Partnership in Albania

Albania has made progress in reception conditions and has demonstrated government commitment to international asylum standards. However, significant challenges remain in protection, documentation, asylum procedures, and socio-economic inclusion. Institutional capacity, legal implementation, and coordination between responsible agencies continue to present challenges. Particular attention is needed to identify and refer vulnerable people at borders and ensure access to appropriate protection and durable solutions. UNHCR seeks experienced organizations that can help address these gaps and strengthen national systems. UNHCR 2027–2030 Strategy in Albania The UNHCR Strategy for Central and South-East Europe in Albania is organized around four main outcome areas.

These focus on:

- Ensuring access to territory and effective referral for people with vulnerabilities. - Delivering quality asylum decisions and legal assistance. - Aligning national legal frameworks with international standards. - Investing in socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. The strategy also emphasizes technical assistance, capacity-building, and advocacy to strengthen national protection systems. Access to Territory and Referral Partners will support improved access to protection for people arriving in Albania, particularly those with vulnerabilities.

Activities may include:

- Providing information and counselling upon arrival. - Interpretation services. - Pre-screening. - Direct support to reception facilities. - Identification and referral of vulnerable individuals. These activities are intended to help people access appropriate protection and services from the point of arrival. Asylum and Legal Assistance Quality legal assistance is a key component of the partnership.

Partners are expected to provide

- Free and accessible legal information. - Legal counselling. - Legal aid throughout asylum procedures. - Legal representation for asylum-seekers. - Support related to asylum processing. Partners should have the expertise and operational capacity required to provide reliable legal support throughout relevant procedures. Legal and Policy Reform The strategy seeks to strengthen national legal frameworks and bring them into greater alignment with international standards.

Partners may contribute through

- Legal and policy analysis. - Data collection. - Advocacy for improved legislation. - Advocacy for better reception conditions. - Technical assistance. - Capacity-building for relevant stakeholders. These activities are intended to help address gaps in the implementation of asylum and statelessness procedures. Statelessness Prevention and Reduction Statelessness is another important area of the partnership. Partners may support efforts to prevent and reduce statelessness and help address barriers related to documentation and access to relevant procedures. Activities should contribute to stronger national systems and improved access to rights for stateless persons. Socio-Economic Inclusion and Self-Reliance The strategy places significant emphasis on helping forcibly displaced and stateless persons achieve greater socio-economic inclusion and self-reliance.

Targeted integration support may include:

- Vocational training. - Language courses. - Education support. - Job placement. - Entrepreneurship support. - Cash-based interventions. These activities can help vulnerable people access opportunities and participate more effectively in national systems. Community Engagement Community engagement is an important component of the partnership. Partners are expected to work with affected populations and support the inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers in national protection and social service systems. Engagement with affected communities should help ensure that activities respond to their needs and protection concerns. Support for Reception Facilities

Partners may provide direct support to reception facilities as part of their activities

This can include information provision, counselling, interpretation, pre-screening, and other support intended to help new arrivals access appropriate services and protection. Documentation and Protection Systems The partnership also addresses gaps in documentation and access to protection. Technical assistance, advocacy, data collection, and capacity-building can contribute to stronger national systems for asylum processing, statelessness procedures, and documentation.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations interested in the partnership must meet the required legal and operational conditions in Albania.

Eligible organizations must:

- Have legal registration at their headquarters. - Have authority to operate in Albania. - Be able to hold a bank account in Albania. - Have the relevant expertise and capacity to implement proposed activities. Organizations should also demonstrate strong project management capacity and meaningful engagement with affected populations. Application Process Applications must be submitted through the UN Partner Portal. Applicants must provide all required documentation together with a completed concept note. A PSEA self-assessment is also required as part of the