The Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS), with support from the European Union and the Council of Europe, organised an impactful awareness-raising event in Kamza, focusing on property rights and compensation mechanisms. The event was particularly targeted at vulnerable local communities, with the aim of increasing their understanding of legal processes and improving their access to essencial services in this area.

The event highlighted the importance of legal remedies for marginalised groups, in particular Roma and Egyptians, and their key role in ensuring equal access to justice for all. Local representatives and community members actively participated in open discussions exploring challenges in the property rights landscape in Kamza. Practical cases presented by community members illustrated real-life obstacles and potential solutions. Local community participants and their representatives gained valuable insights into Law No. 133/2015, "On the treatment of property and the completion of the property compensation process." 

Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, emphasised the enduring partnership between the EU, the Council of Europe and civil society in driving meaningful community level impact: 'Building trust in legal resources is important to our collective mission. By raising awareness of pro bono services like the TLAS Helpline, we hope to ensure that every citizen, regardless of who they are, where they live, their profession, is equipped with the necessary knowledge" the Head of Office stressed.

In her remarks, Raimonda Bozo, Executive Director of TLAS, also emphasised the transformative power of legal empowerment, saying that by equipping vulnerable groups with the tools to claim their rights, the foundation of social justice is strengthened. Information materials were also distributed during the activity to provide accessible legal guidance to participants.

This awareness-raising activity in Kamza is part of a wider supported initiative, with similar awareness-raising events in Rrogozhina and Kavaja, reaching out to vulnerable communities such as Roma and Egyptians. The initiative exemplifies the shared commitment of the European Union and the Council of Europe to uphold democratic values, promote human rights and ensure justice for all citizens, and to deepen partnerships with civil society organisations to further these critical efforts.

As part of the ongoing efforts to inform and assist local communities on property rights and compensation mechanisms, a dedicated helpline (+355692093731l), established under the Horizontal Facility II programme, is also operational by TLAS. 

This assistance is provided in the framework of the action Improving the protection of the right to property and facilitating the execution of ECtHR judgments in Albania, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe under the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye III.