Grantee: Linja e Këshillimit për Gra dhe Vajza (Counseling Line for Women and Girls)
Location: Tirana, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2025-2028
Type of Grant: three-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: hotlinealbania.org

The Counseling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG), founded in 1996, is a leading civil society organization in Albania dedicated to promoting gender equality, protecting human rights, and combating gender-based violence. With nearly three decades of experience, CLWG provides direct services, legal aid, advocacy, capacity-building, and public awareness to address domestic violence and discrimination, while actively shaping Albania’s legal framework on gender-based violence, justice reform, and media ethics.

As part of its commitment to promoting human dignity and supporting the most vulnerable, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supports CLWG in the creation of a 72-Hour emergency shelter in Tirana. This initiative fills a critical gap in Albania’s support system, providing survivors with immediate protection and specialized assistance to escape cycles of violence and begin rebuilding their lives. In addition to offering a safe space, the center will facilitate crisis intervention services, including psychosocial support, legal assistance, and referrals to long- term support programs.

The center will accommodate 140 women and children over an 18 month period, offering them a secure and confidential space to escape immediate danger. During their stay, survivors will receive 24-hour security, basic necessities (food, clothing, hygiene products), and medical assistance. The shelter will be staffed with three social workers and support personnel to ensure round-the-clock care. Additionally, survivors will be linked to long-term housing solutions, employment services, and legal assistance, ensuring a pathway toward reintegration and independence.

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: Qendra Sociale Murialdo
Location: Fier, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2024-2025
Type of Grant: one-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: albania.murialdo.org

For over two decades, Qendra Sociale Murialdo has worked in Fier, Albania, offering vocational education, training, and protection for vulnerable groups, including the Roma community and youth returning from migration. Fier, one of Albania’s industrial hubs, has faced economic downturns, youth emigration, and discrimination affecting Roma children’s education and employment opportunities. The Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) has always been deeply committed to promoting basic human rights such as access to education and equal employment opportunities.

In 2024, the NaEPF supported Qendra Sociale Murialdo in its mission to enhance the vocational skills and employability of marginalized communities in Albania, including young people and the Roma community. Over a 12-month period, high-quality training programs will be conducted in in-demand fields such as pastry, plumbing, mechanics, electronics, and electro-mechanics, alongside job placement services, internships, and apprenticeships with local businesses. Furthermore, the project will also facilitate access to education for Roma children by offering transportation services, aiming to reduce dropout rates and promote social inclusion.

Grantee: Father Pjetër Meshkalla College – Community of St. Francis Xavier
Location: Shkodër, Albania, Europe
Grant Cycle: 2024-2025
Type of Grant: one-year program support, Human Welfare & Rights
Website: meshkalla.edu.al

Founded in 1877, Father Pjetër Meshkalla College is a Jesuit-run secondary school providing high-quality education to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. With Albania facing a decline in student enrollment and high youth emigration, the school remains a pillar for families seeking academic excellence.

In 2024, the Nando and Elsa Peretti Foundation (NaEPF) supported the College by equipping teachers with tablet devices to enhance classroom management and student engagement. Additionally, 30 partial scholarships have been awarded to students from low-income families, ensuring access to education despite financial barriers.

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. Through these four strategic projects, the NaEPF reaffirms its commitment to education, social inclusion, and empowerment in Albania. By addressing urgent social challenges, fostering skills development, and ensuring equal access to opportunities, the NaEPF continues to play a pivotal role in improving the lives of Albania’s most vulnerable populations.