Building on the successful experience of the CAUSE project, supported by the European Union, through which three confiscated assets from the organized crime were turned into social enterprises, in October 2019, Partners Albania started the implementation of a new initiative in this regard.

Social re-use of confiscated assets from organized crime, a message of trust and social justice project aims to promote and increase awareness on the sustainable re-use of the confiscated assets from the organized crime and their transformation by CSOs into spaces for local communities used for social, cultural, rehabilitation purposes, etc. to benefit the victims of organized crime, those engendered by crime, and the community at large.

The project will contribute to educating the general public in Albania toward the positive impact of correct management of confiscated assets and the damage that an illegal approach has on a long term view in terms of competitiveness, employment, and economic development, in a way to provide also to the policymakers a new development scheme and a more effective approach to manage the confiscated assets from the organized crime.

On the other hand, the project will contribute to improving the regulatory framework on the re-use of the confiscated assets from the organized crime, through an analysis of the legal framework and procedures of implementing agencies and advocacy that the recommendations provided are translated into concrete actions. In addition, the project will contribute to the creation of a new cohort of CSOs capable to manage community projects in the confiscated assets from organized crime and to lead anti-corruption initiatives in Albania, through the preparation and distribution of a practical guide for CSOs.

The project is based on the belief that the re-use of the confiscated assets from the organized crime presents a clear opportunity to show that the legal economy can be more efficient and convenient than the illegal one. It is expected to demonstrate the possibility to transform a confiscated asset from organized crime, and in general any common good, in an opportunity which can put together the public interest and the social-economic sustainability.

The social enterprises supported through CAUSE project: KeBuono! Social Pastry in Fier, Kinfolk Coffee Library in Durrës, and Social Crafting Garage in Saranda will be a groundbreaking example to inspire different active stakeholders, including CSOs and local communities to take care of their country in a different way.

“Social re-use of confiscated assets from organized crime, a message of trust and social justice” is implemented with the financial support of the Democracy Commission Small Grants Program of the US Embassy in Tirana