SCiDEV

📢 SCiDEV & @IKomiteti have jointly published the policy paper “Human Rights Protection in the Age of AI”, addressing the rapid use of AI technologies in country amidst the absence of a comprehensive legal, ethical, and institutional framework. Read here🔗 scidevcenter.org/2025/12/17/sci…

📢 SCiDEV has published “Gender Equality Policy Document for Media in Albania”, an evidence-based and practical manual to help media organizations address structural gender inequalities, strengthen ethical, inclusive, & professional practices. Read here 🔗scidevcenter.org/2025/12/17/fro…

There is no media freedom without women’s voices. At “Women at the Forefront”, Albania’s media leaders came together to strengthen inclusion, protection and representation. Through the EU-funded “Breaking the Moulds” project, the EU is supporting concrete tools for a more inclusive, transparent and accountable media sector in Albania. 🇦🇱 “A society cannot be fully democratic if women’s voices are marginalised, and a media sector cannot be free if journalists, especially women, face harassment, insecurity and structural discrimination. Protecting women journalists means protecting democracy and the public’s right to information, and this is why the EU will continue to support initiatives like Breaking the Moulds – Shaping the Future and efforts to ensure media freedom and the safety of journalists.” Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Head of the EU Delegation to Albania.

With Faktoje.al, we are hosting a high-level roundtable “Freedom of Expression & Media Freedom in Albania: Between Progress & Stagnation – Reflections on the EU 2025 Report & the Road to Accountability”, supported by #DutchEmbassy in AL. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3kymadpz

@IKomiteti and SCiDEV have developed a policy paper on human rights protection in the age of AI, the first analysis of its kind in Albania. 📌 Preliminary findings will be presented during a discussion table on 18 November 2025, in Tirana. Read more 🔗 tinyurl.com/ysvtjpzw

Our Oct. #MediaBrief is out! Focus: attacks on journalists & accountability calls, regional efforts on women journalists’ safety, RTSH reform, media transparency & EU alignment, pluralism threats (OSCE/ODIHR), SCiDEV’s advocacy for journalists' protection🔗tinyurl.com/bdze5r6x

SCiDEV Brings Western Balkans Voices to Brussels 🇪🇺 At our first Brussels dialogue experts from EU institutions, academia, civil society, & diaspora discussed how research, innovation, & mobility can accelerate the region’s convergence with the EU. 🔗 tinyurl.com/bdfp4xyt

Freedom of Expression: Albania’s Ongoing Test in the EU Integration Process ❗ SCiDEV stresses that real progress demands political will, accountability, and concrete implementation. Read the full statement in English and Albanian 🔗 tinyurl.com/452svd4d

Our September Media Landscape Brief is out! In focus: SCiDEV’s legal analysis on the draft Penal Code, whistleblower protection reforms, RTSH crisis, media access to Parliament, AI & gender-sensitive storytelling, journalists' safety & resilience. 🔗 tinyurl.com/bxjs7uuc

Our #RYLMP fellows will represent SCiDEV at the inaugural #IgnitaForum2025, “On the Edge”, bringing youth voices & perspectives into the debate on mobility, research, & innovation. They will also attend the #YouthWorkshop, “Gen Z Policy – Solutions & Advocacy Lab”. Stay Tuned!

We joined the #BerlinProcess #CivilSocietyForum2025 by contributing in the Security (cybersecurity & disinformation) working group, advocating for & taking forward key recommendations on strengthening cyber capacities of CSOs, independent media & HRDs. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3ezyuuma

SCiDEV's Independent Legal Analysis of Albania’s Draft Penal Code highlights significant risks posed by several provisions to freedom of expression, media freedom, & the role of public watchdogs, including journalists, whistleblowers, CSOs, & HRDs. 🔗 tinyurl.com/28dcc649

We join the @WBjournalists, @MediaFreedomEU, @DefenseurDroit, & media freedom organisations in Albania in an open letter to the Speaker of Parliament and parliamentary groups. 👉 Read the full letter here: tinyurl.com/573u9kzw

📣 Open Call: Small Grants for Technical & Organizational Interventions As part of the SMS Facility regional project, small and local media outlets in Albania are invited to apply for support to strengthen internal development, sustainability, and digital adaptation. 🗓️ Apply by 17 October 2025 🔗 Learn more: tinyurl.com/2afz5rss This call is part of the “SMS Facility – Support for Small Media in the Western Balkans” project, a regional initiative implemented by a consortium of organizations across six Western Balkan countries. The project is funded by the EU and aims to enhance media freedom, organizational capacity, and the institutional sustainability of small media outlets across the region.

Albania’s appointment of a AI state minister for public procurement is a world first, but also a risky innovation. Without legal frameworks, safeguards, & accountability, this could become a cautionary tale. - writes @erjonc for Balkan Insight. Read more🔗tinyurl.com/r29j39bh

Join us for a Friday dedicated to digital rights and artificial intelligence! An opportunity to deep dive into the EU AI Act, Albania’s obligations in the ambit of the EU accession process, & more. Register here🔗 tinyurl.com/mrmptdwk

While in Korça with our Safety of Journalists project and @SCiDEV_Center, I emphasized shared responsibility and the international community's role in safeguarding press freedom. All actors must work together to create a safer space for journalists in 🇦🇱.

SCiDEV joins 110+ organizations towards shaping the first-ever EU #CivilSocietyStrategy! We’re proud to stand alongside partners from #WB & Türkiye calling for greater #EU safeguarding, support, & engagement with #CSOs. Read full submission 🔗 tinyurl.com/yc8mv4t8

📢 New Publication Alert! SCiDEV & Free Press Unlimited have published the “Manual for the Safety of Journalists in Albania”, a practical guide developed to support journalists & newsrooms, in staying safe while exercising their profession. Read more🔗 tinyurl.com/5ecus623

Issues topping the agenda included aligning with the EU #AIAct and General Data Protection Regulation, essential for ethical AI use in Albanian municipalities. Data governance challenges, such as fragmented platforms and unclear roles, were also discussed. A 7-module AI literacy curriculum was introduced to enhance skills and practical applications. @UNDPEurasia @SCiDEV_Center #AI4LGU #LocalGovernance #AI