Albania has made substantial progress in preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) through a whole-of-society approach that aligns national strategies with concrete action at the local level. A major milestone was the adoption of Decision of the Council of Ministers No. 678, dated 30.10.2024, which granted permanent status to Local Public Safety Councils (LPSCs) in all 61 municipalities. Tasked with identifying, referring, and supporting individuals at risk of radicalisation, LPSCs have become key pillars in Albania’s P/CVE architecture, enabling locally driven, multi-agency responses tailored to community needs.

This vision was put into practice during Phase 1 of a pilot project, supported by the EU-funded STRIVE Global II program and implemented in close coordination with the National Coordination Centre on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE Centre). The project targeted five priority municipalities—Elbasan, Librazhd, Cërrik, Pogradec, and Korça—by strengthening the capacity of LPSCs, introducing a case management and referral methodology, and helping local actors translate concerns into action plans. The pilot aimed to train 225 local stakeholders, including 77 LPSC permanent members. As a result, LPSCs in these municipalities became more functional, with improved coordination, better case handling, and increased responsiveness to local security risks.

Building on such approach, Phase 2 extends the initiative to four additional municipalities—Mati, Kukës, Lezha, and Vlora—identified for their heightened vulnerability due to socio-economic challenges, migration pressures, and exposure to extremist influences. These municipalities will receive structured support to activate or strengthen their LPSCs, train permanent members, and fully implement the national referral mechanism. As in Phase 1, this new phase will benefit from the proactive support and oversight of the National CVE Centre, ensuring alignment with national priorities and sustainability of efforts at the local level.

IANS organized an opening conference which marked the beginning of this new phase and brings together key local stakeholders who will lead this work on the ground. It sets the tone for an intensive year of training, coordination, and advocacy to ensure that preventive mechanisms are not only activated but fully functional. The event also serves as a platform to share lessons learned from Phase 1, outline expectations for Phase 2, and foster strategic dialogue between national, regional, and local actors..