Grantee: Social Impact Center Albania (SICA)
Location: Tirana, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2025-2028
Type of Grant: Human Welfare & Rights
Website: hotlinealbania.org 

The Social Impact Center Albania (SICA), founded in 1996, is a leading civil society organisation  working to advance gender equality, protect human rights, and combat gender-based violence in  Albania. With nearly three decades of experience, SICA combines direct assistance to survivors  with legal aid, advocacy, capacity-building, and public awareness, while contributing to the  development of national policies and legal frameworks addressing domestic violence, justice  reform, and discrimination. 

In line with its commitment to human dignity and human rights, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supports SICA in the establishment of an emergency shelter in Tirana. The  initiative responds to an important need within Albania’s protection system by offering women and  children facing violence immediate access to secure, confidential accommodation and specialised  crisis assistance. 

Officially launched on 25 September 2026, the centre provides accommodation for up to 18  months, allowing survivors to move away from immediate danger and begin rebuilding their lives  in a protected environment. Alongside 24-hour security, residents receive essential items, medical  care, psychosocial assistance, and legal guidance tailored to their individual circumstances. The centre also supports longer-term recovery by connecting survivors with housing solutions,  employment services, and other forms of specialised assistance. By combining immediate  protection with sustained accompaniment, the initiative seeks to help women and children move  towards greater stability, autonomy, and independence.

Grantee: Qendra Sociale Murialdo
Location: Fier, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2026-2028
Type of Grant: three-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: albania.murialdo.org

Qendra Sociale Murialdo is a non-profit organization based in Fier, Albania, founded in 1995. It supports children, youth, and vulnerable communities through education, vocational training, social inclusion, and employment opportunities.

“From Exclusion to Inclusion: A Pathway to Employment and Social Empowerment for Youth in Fier” is a three-year project implemented by Qendra Sociale Murialdo in Fier, Albania, with the support of the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF). The project aims to improve the lives of vulnerable young people, Roma children, and children from disadvantaged families by increasing access to education, vocational training, employment opportunities, and inclusive social activities.

Young people aged 15 to 30 will benefit from modern vocational training, practical learning, digital and employability skills, entrepreneurship support, internships, and cooperation with local businesses. These activities will help them build confidence, gain professional experience, and improve their chances of employment or self-employment.

The project also supports Roma children and other vulnerable children aged 6 to 15 through safe school transportation, after-school educational support, recreational activities, and an inclusive summer camp. Through these actions, the project seeks to reduce barriers linked to poverty, exclusion, distance from services, and limited opportunities. Its expected impact is to improve school attendance, strengthen skills and employment prospects, promote social inclusion, and help children and young people in Fier build a more dignified and hopeful future.

Grantee: Fondacioni “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë”
Location: Tirana, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2026-2028
Type of Grant: two-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: fzkm.org

Fondacioni “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë” is a non-profit legal entity established in Albania in 1993 by the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception. The Foundation operates in the fields of healthcare, higher education, and social development, with the mission of promoting the social, cultural, and economic advancement of Albanian society. Its activities are implemented through two main institutional branches: the Catholic University “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë”, established in 2004, which offers joint degree programmes with Italian state universities in medicine, economics, and engineering; and the Catholic Hospital “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë”, inaugurated in 2021, which provides a wide range of specialised healthcare services.

The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supports the Foundation in establishing a Centre for Monitoring and Fostering Vocation in Medicine at the Catholic University “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë” in Tirana. The initiative aims to strengthen professional identity in the medical field through research, training, and mentorship. More broadly, the project seeks to promote a culture of professionalism and ethical commitment among healthcare providers in Albania, with expected NEW benefits for patient care, the quality of medical education, and the overall credibility of the national healthcare system.

Grantee: Komuniteti Shën Françesk Saveri (Community of St. Francis Xavier)
Location: Shkodër, Albania, Europe – New York, USA, North America
Grant Cycle: 2025-2028
Type of Grant: three-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: meshkalla.edu.al

Komuniteti Shën Françesk Saveri (Community of St. Francis Xavier) is a Jesuit non-profit association based in Shkodër, Albania, established in 2014. It manages Atë Pjetër Meshkalla High School, a well-regarded institution known for its inclusive, multi-religious environment. Despite its strong reputation, the school faces key challenges, including outdated IT facilities, unsafe sports infrastructure, and an underutilised alumni network of over 3,000 members, many living abroad. Addressing these gaps is essential to strengthen financial sustainability, modernise infrastructure, and ensure continued access to quality, inclusive education.

In 2024, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supported the school by equipping 35 teachers with tablet devices and upgrading the Wi-Fi network to full campus coverage, improving classroom management and student engagement. In addition, 30 partial scholarships were awarded to students from low-income families.

Building on these results, the NaEPF has renewed its support through a three-year project running until 2028, aimed at improving access to education and upgrading the learning environment. The initiative combines social inclusion, digital innovation, infrastructure development, and alumni engagement.

The project will provide annual scholarships to 38 students from low-income families, establish a modern IT laboratory with 35 laptops, and upgrade the outdoor volleyball court. In parallel, it will develop a structured and self-sustaining Atë Pjetër Meshkalla Global Alumni Network to provide financial support, mentoring, and professional opportunities, including launch events in New York to engage the U.S.-based alumni community and Shkodër.

Grantee: Consulting and Development Partners
Location: Shkoder, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2025-2028
Type of Grant: three-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights

Consulting and Development Partners (CODE Partners), established in 2012, fosters economic growth in Albania by supporting marginalized individuals and building inclusive, multi-generational communities of engaged citizens through education and cultural programs centered on ethical leadership. Its activities include vocational training, tourism promotion, employment opportunities, cultural programs in education, arts, and music, as well as business development, networking, and humanitarian initiatives.

As part of its commitment to promoting human dignity and social inclusion, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supports CODE Partners’ NextGen Leaders programme focused on enhancing the entrepreneurial skills and competencies of youth. The initiative provides sustainable solutions for developing micro and small businesses owned by youth and fosters leadership qualities, such as democracy, vision, integrity, resilience, and communication, among the participants.

Grantee: “Ylli I Mëngjesit” School – Santa Lucia Filippini Educational Centre
Location: Berat, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2024-2025
Type of Grant: one-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights

Situated in Berat, a city known for its rich cultural heritage, the Santa Lucia Filippini Educational Centre serves local children, including those with disabilities, providing education and social support. However, limited infrastructural resources hinder physical activity and social development.

In 2024, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) funded the renovation of the school’s sports field, creating a safe and inclusive space for physical education and recreational activities. This project aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and social inclusion for students and the wider community.

Grantee: Shtëpia Rregulltare e Bashkësisë Instituti I Terciareve Françeskane Alkantarine
Location: Vlorë, Albania
Grant Cycle: 2024-2025
Type of Grant: one-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights

The Alcantarine Franciscan Sisters, active in Albania since 1991, provide essential services to women, children, and individuals with disabilities. In Babicë e Madhe, a village near Vlorë, many families struggle with poverty, domestic violence, and limited educational access.

Thanks to the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) support, the St. Francis Day Center will expand its educational and social services, offering programs aimed at reducing youth emigration, integrating children with disabilities, and promoting women’s empowerment through community-driven initiatives.