Dorcas Albania
Empowering communities for sustainable futures
We see communities facing poverty, exclusion and climate vulnerability. Our programmes therefore focus on Protection, Economic Development, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Community Development. The result is stronger, more self-reliant communities where people live with dignity, resilience and hope.
Context in Albania
About Albania
Albania faces persistent challenges of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion, particularly in rural and remote areas. Climate risks, deforestation and environmental degradation threaten rural livelihoods.
Marginalised communities, including Roma families, older people and those in extreme poverty, face significant barriers to services and participation in society. Youth emigration is weakening the workforce and undermining community resilience. The youth population aged 15 to 29 has declined sharply due to migration and other demographic factors.
Dorcas in Albania
Dorcas Albania has been active since 1992. We work in Korçë, Tropoja and Puka and are expanding into Central Albania including Tirana. Our approach addresses root causes at three levels: restoring individual dignity and capability, building resilient community structures, and strengthening accountable institutions. Long-term presence and trusted partnerships with government, civil society and international donors enable us to deliver sustainable impact.
By 2030, we envision an Albania where:
What we do
Programmatic themes
Dorcas Albania works through four programmatic themes. All programmes integrate inclusion, protection, climate sensitivity and community ownership.
We protect people vulnerable to poverty, exclusion and violence through integrated measures and targeted prevention. In Maliq, an after-school centre provides care, education and a safe space for 20 children from families in vulnerable situations. Through training for parents, teachers and local professionals, Dorcas Albania promotes holistic child protection and inclusion. Across our programmes, 160 children participate annually in protection activities.
We strengthen entrepreneurship, employability and access to markets. Edmira renovated her guesthouse with support from Dorcas. It now attracts domestic and international tourists, positioning her as a role model in Valbona's growing tourism sector. Across our programmes, 87 small businesses have been supported over the past five years.
We support sustainable livelihoods and food security. Mirela expanded her poultry farm from a few dozen chickens to 300 hens and 200 chicks. She now sells twice as many eggs and supplies guesthouses in Valbona. Across our programmes, 112 households have increased and diversified their income sources.
We strengthen community capacity, resilience and social cohesion. Dorcas Albania's volunteer network connects through an online platform to support people in vulnerable situations and collaborate with local partners. Across our programmes, 200 active volunteers participate in at least two coordinated community actions each year.
Building sustainable economic development in rural Albania
Supporting those facing barriers to self-employment and employability lies at the heart of Dorcas’s work. Economic development is crucial for improving well-being and enabling people to establish sustainable livelihoods. As part of the SMILES programme in Albania, Dorcas is working in the mountainous regions of Tropoja and Puka to create more economic opportunities for those in vulnerable situations.
Our impact in 2020-2025
People reached
- Dorcas Albania reached 16,322 people.
Economic development
- 1,222 people supported to start a small business or improve their entrepreneurship.
- 8,328 people empowered and strengthened in their social and entrepreneurial skills.
Community Development
- A volunteer network connects through an online platform to support people in vulnerable situations and collaborate with local partners.
How we work
Local leadership and partnerships
Dorcas Albania works with government institutions, civil society organisations, international donors, private-sector actors and local communities. Our partnerships are built on trust, shared values and long-term commitment. Together, we create opportunities for communities to flourish.
- Emanuel Mission Foundation (Korçë)
- Integration Association Tropoja (Bajram Curri)
- Kom Over En Help
- New Day Impact
- Municipality of Korçë
- Municipality of Maliq
- Municipality of Tropojë
- Dutch Embassy
- MARA Foundation
- Swiss Contact
- Albanian National Rural Development Network (ANRD)
- Dorcas Eastern Europe network
- GreenAL network
- Aflatoun International
- Shared values and mutual respect
- Complementary strengths
- Transparent communication
- Long-term commitment
- Local leadership
- Joint learning and adaptation
Partnership and investment opportunities
We seek partners who share our commitment to community resilience, local leadership and long-term impact. We welcome programme partnerships, institutional funding, research collaborations and private-sector engagement.
'Dorcas Albania is a trusted partner for our municipality, combining strong community engagement with reliable delivery and long-term commitment to vulnerable groups.'
Meet our Country Director
Xheni Prenda
Real and lasting change begins when people are empowered to shape their own future. Across Albania, we encounter individuals and communities who demonstrate remarkable resilience and determination to create better opportunities for their families. At Dorcas Albania, we walk alongside them to strengthen livelihoods, promote inclusion and support pathways towards a more resilient and hopeful future. I invite government, civil society, the private sector and funders to join us. Together, we can shape a stronger future for Albania.
Contact
Dorcas Albania office
Rr. "TELI SAMSURI", Nd. 18, 7001, Korçë, Albania
