Institutional Development of Restorative Justice and Victim-Offender Mediation for Juveniles
January 2014 - December 2015Supported by EU Delegation in Albania and contribution from Save the Children Norway.
Implementing organization: Save the Children Albania and AFCR
It targeted the whole country, with specific interventions in Durres, Tirana, Shkodra, Korca, Vlora and Lezha.
The project was a step towards consolidation and institutionalization of RJ with a specific focus on juveniles, particularly marginalized groups, building on relevant previous programs achievements.
It aimed at strengthening the capacities of the Albanian authorities and civil society organizations to support effective access to juvenile justice for vulnerable and marginalized groups through Restorative Justice Interventions.
The action responded to the need for a comprehensive child rights based juvenile justice reform that encourages institutionalization and use of restorative justice as a mean of diversion of the juveniles from criminal proceedings; thereby contributing to and monitoring Albania’s obligations to the EU Albania Stabilization Agreement and United Nations Children Rights Convention.
The case management process through victim-offender mediation and community conferencing was an important component of the project. 186 cases were managed through victim-offender mediation and 224 cases were managed through community conferencing. The successful practicing of community conferencing in Roma juvenile cases is a positive practice that should be promoted and further used.
