Tirana, 16 July 2025 – CRCA-ECPAT Albania announced today that it has officially submitted the first-ever draft on the Law on Foster Care in Albania – a landmark legal initiative aimed at protecting children without parental care or who come from abusive families.
The draft law was developed by CRCA Albania’s legal experts and was submitted to the Working Group established at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection on drafting a national law on foster care.
“The draft we submitted today is a step forward for protecting and supporting every child in need. Our team has been looking into the issue of foster care since 2019 and I’m very happy that this first draft will strongly contribute to the final draft-law that is expected to be presented to the new Parliament in September.” – said Altin Hazizaj, Executive Director of CRCA-ECPAT Albania.
The proposed legislation aims to create an integrated, protected, and well-monitored system of foster care for children who are without parental support or who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse, ensuring they grow up in a safe, loving, and nurturing environment.
The law provides for:
- Types of foster care (emergency, short-term, long-term, kinship-based, and specialized care);
- Criteria and procedures for the certification of foster families;
- Establishment of a National Register of Foster Families;
- Monitoring and financial support for foster families;
- Rights and protections for children during and after foster care;
- The role of courts, local government units, and other public institutions.
The law aims to become a cornerstone in the reform of alternative care in Albania, and a decisive step towards developing a system that respects the dignity, rights, and future of every child.
For more information about this initiative, please contact us at: crca@crca.al