In January 2023, the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, together with partner organizations in the Western Balkans, HANDIKOS Kosova, Polio Plus Macedonia and the Albanian National Association of Deaf People, have started the implementation of the project "Disability Alliances for the Development of Comprehensive Reforms in the Region" (DADIRR), which is implemented within the SMART Balkans regional program.
The Regional Program, SMART Balkans – Civil society for shared society in the Western Balkans(SMART BALKANS: Shoqëria civile për vlera të përbashkëta në Ballkanin Perëndimor), which contributes to strengthening participatory democracies and Euro Atlantic integrations in the Western Balkans by empowering civil society organizations and CSO networks for stronger and active role in creating peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is run by Center for Civil Society Promotion (Centar za promociju civilnog društva - CPCD), together with partner organizations from Albania – Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and North Macedonia – Center for Research and Policy Making (CRPM).
The project "Disability Alliances for the Development of Inclusive Reforms in the Region". (DADIRR), which is implemented within the SMART Balkans regional program, aims to achieve the following objectives:
Overall goal (impact) To contribute to good governance, participatory democracies and inclusive societies towards Euro-Atlantic integration of Balkans countries by strengthening the disability organizations regional cooperation and their participation in decision and policy making processes..
Specific goal: Strengthen a regional network of CSOs and public authorities in 3 WB Countries, to advance issues of accessibility and participation of PwD in political and public life, to ensure the harmonization and implementation of national legal and policy framework to comply with the CRPD, the EU Strategy for the Rights of PwD 2021-2030.
Special Objectives:
- Promote the integration of self-regulation mechanisms by preparation of the reports on compliance and harmonization of legislation in the area of accessibility and participation of PwD in political and public life;;
- Encourage cooperation and partnership among national and regional APWD and governments to prepare recommendations for harmonization of the legislation in the area of accessibility and participation in political and public life, in line with UNCRPD;
- Promote policy advocacy, government oversight, accountability and transparency by establishing and/or strengthening Parliamentary Disability Lobbing Groups PDLGs in 3 WB project targeted countries;
ADRF and project partners from 3 WB countries, will combine their operational capacities in a common effort to assist organizations dedicated to the fulfillment of rights of PwD in 3 WB countries to develop working relationships, networking capacities and through their legislative assessment and policy advocacy in the area of accessibility and political and public participation, empower them to engage constructively with governments to address key challenges faced by PwD. By establishing regional cooperation and exchange amongst Legislative Working Groups (WGs) and Parliamentary Lobbying Groups (PLGs), the APWDs will enhance their participation in decision making processes, undertake effective policy and legislative advocacy and engage with, but also hold accountable their national governments to make political and economic reforms related to disability, preparing them for the rights and obligations that came with European Reform Agenda and EU membership.
Project Coordinator
Albanian Disability Rights Foundation
Website: www.adrf.al
Project Partners
Albanian National Association of Deaf
Website: www.anad.al;
HANDIKOS Kosovo
Website: www.handi-kos.org;
Polio Plus – movement against disability
Website: www.polioplus.org.mk;
Reports & publications
Persons with disabilities in Albania: accessibility and participation in public and political life - An analysis of compliance of national legal acts with un CPRD - Read more
Report of complicance with CRPD - Watch video
Report - Analyses on compliance of legal framework in Republic of North Macedonia with CRPD - Read more
Report - Analysis of the compatibility of Kosovo's legal framework with the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities - Read more