Albania Marks Roma Day with New Action Plan, Community Voices Highlight Priorities Ahead

Tirana, 8 April 2026 – On International Roma Day, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare presented Albania’s third National Action Plan for the Equality, Inclusion and Participation of Roma and Egyptians, with the support of the European Union, the Council of Europe.

The launch reflects continued national and international commitment to advancing inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities for Roma communities across the country. The United Nations in Albania welcomed the initiative, congratulating institutions for building on previous efforts and reaffirming its support in translating policy into tangible results. The United Nations has provided sustained support to Albania’s Roma inclusion efforts across successive national action plans, contributing to strengthened implementation, institutional coordination, and community engagement.

UNDP’s support to Roma communities in Albania has been primarily implemented through the “Leave No One Behind” (LNB / LNB2) programme, which has focused on strengthening social inclusion, access to services, and participation of vulnerable groups, including Roma and Egyptian communities. Through this programme, interventions have supported community-based social services, participatory governance, economic empowerment, and access to rights, particularly for Roma women and youth, contributing to improved inclusion and engagement at local level.

“On this International Roma Day, the United Nations in Albania reaffirms its commitment to advancing equality, dignity, and inclusion for Roma communities. Addressing persistent barriers requires sustained commitment and solutions shaped together with communities.” — Ingrid Macdonald, UN Resident Coordinator in Albania

Macdonald commend Deputy Minister Ina Majko, Council of Europe Head of Office Giulia Re, EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato and civil society partners, highlighting the importance of co-designing the new 🇦🇱 Roma Action Plan 2026–2030 and focusing concretely on implementation through dedicated financing, targeted actions and a while of system approach—a key step toward inclusive and equitable opportunities for all.

Roma communities remain an integral part of Albania’s social fabric and cultural heritage. At the same time, challenges in access to education, health care, employment, civil registration, and full participation in society continue to affect many families, highlighting the importance of sustained and coordinated action.

Across the country, UN agencies are working with national and local institutions to strengthen implementation, improve coordination at municipal level, and ensure that inclusion is reflected in public planning and budgets. The new Action Plan is expected to further advance work in inclusive education, social protection, economic empowerment, access to justice, and efforts to address discrimination.

Voices from Roma communities also point to key priorities moving forward.

Bledar Taho, activist from the Institute of Roma Culture in Albania (IRCA), highlighted that while progress has been made, important challenges remain. He pointed to continued barriers in access to quality education, with literacy gaps still affecting a significant portion of the community, particularly women and girls. Employment opportunities also remain limited, with many Roma engaged in informal work due to lack of professional training, information, and equal access to the labour market.

Taho further emphasized that discrimination continues to shape everyday experiences, while gaps in implementation and financing of policies can limit their impact on the ground. Strengthening the role of Roma civil society and ensuring their direct participation in decision-making processes were identified as essential for more effective and sustainable inclusion.

Romina Sefa, Executive Director of the Center for Social Advocacy, emphasized that despite increased institutional attention, meaningful participation of Roma youth in public administration remains limited. She noted that their absence from decision-making processes weakens both representation and the effectiveness of policies targeting Roma communities. Strengthening the inclusion of Roma youth in public institutions should therefore be a key priority moving forward.

International Roma Day serves both as a celebration of Roma identity, culture, and contribution, and as a moment to reflect on the path ahead. With the introduction of Action Plan III, Albania enters a new phase of its efforts, supported by strong partnerships and growing community engagement.

The coming years will be important in ensuring that these commitments continue to translate into inclusive policies, improved services, and expanded opportunities for Roma communities across the country.