Albania and the United Nations Advance Reforms on Jobs and Social Protection

The event, organized jointly by the Government of Albania and the United Nations – represented by UNDP, UNICEF, ILO and UN Women – in partnership with the Joint SDG Fund and the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, brought together key national and international partners to accelerate reforms linking social protection with decent employment opportunities.

The meeting marked a crucial moment in Albania’s efforts to expand inclusive, child- and gender-responsive systems that ensure income security and equal access to opportunities for all.

Through the UN Joint Programme “Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania” (LEAP), supported by the Joint SDG Fund, partners showcased early achievements and discussed pathways for scaling up the Universal Child Benefit, Long-Term Care and Active Labour Market Measures.

Speaking at the opening, government representatives and UN partners reaffirmed their shared commitment to building sustainable systems that connect social protection with job creation, empowering vulnerable groups, and reducing inequality.

Since its launch, the LEAP programme has delivered tangible results across Albania:

• 700 families receiving economic aid have accessed integrated care and long-term support, improving their quality of life.
• 530 women and youth have gained new skills and job opportunities in the tourism and care sectors, helping them transition from uncertainty to stability.
• 1,700+ children and families have been reached through integrated health and social services that ensure no child is left behind.
• Mobile training units have brought skills and job opportunities to remote communities, proving that no one is too far to be included.

These achievements demonstrate Albania’s leadership within the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection, an international initiative that aims to create 400 million decent jobs and extend social protection to 4 billion people worldwide.

Representatives from the EU Delegation, World Bank, Swiss Development Cooperation, and embassies of Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, joined civil society, academia, and the private sector in pledging continued cooperation and investment in Albania’s social and economic transformation.

The meeting concluded with a call to sustain political will and financing for inclusive reforms that promote fair work, gender equality, and lifelong empowerment.

About the UN Joint Programme LEAP.

The “Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania” (LEAP) programme is funded by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, and UN Women, in partnership with the Government of Albania. LEAP supports integrated, digital, and inclusive systems for social protection and employment, ensuring that today’s income security becomes tomorrow’s economic independence. We sincerely appreciate the contributions from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland in accelerating progress towards the SDGs.