Albania's Global Accelerator roadmap towards jobs and social protection for just transitions

Albania

High-level commitment: Confirmed on 9 June 2023.

Roadmap development, governance and coordination: Albania’s roadmap was developed between October and November 2023 through a collaborative effort by the Government of Albania and the United Nations country teams of UNDP, UNICEF, ILO, UN Women, and FAO under the technical guidance of UNICEF and UNDP, based on the policy mapping results, and in broad-based consultation.

The Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection are the lead government institutions responsible for spearheading the design and implementation of the Global Accelerator. Ministry of Economy, Culture and Innovation will play a central role in coordinating efforts across various ministries and agencies.

Roadmap validation: Endorsed by the government in June 2024.

Roadmap focus:

Strengthen adaptive social protection for people with disabilities by enhancing a disability reform, inclusive employment and skills development policies, and early-age support through partnerships and collaboration.
Build an inclusive social protection system for economic security and social equity.
Facilitate increased private sector involvement in TVET programs, with a special emphasis on digital and entrepreneurship skills development targeting youth and women, particularly those from vulnerable communities and in rural areas.

Prioritised target groups

Unemployed individuals
Women
Children
Youth
People with disabilities
Elderly population
Low-income or vulnerable groups
Informal workers
Rural populations
Minority groups
Migrants and refugees
LGBTQ+ community

Photo credit

National policies and programmes to be supported by the Global Accelerator

National Strategy for Development and European Integration (NSDEI 2022-2030).
National Employment and Skills Strategy (NESS 2023-2030).
New National Social Protection Strategy (2024-2030).
Other relevant development plans related to youth employment, digital transformation, and innovation.

Expected impact

Expansion of social protection

Increased coverage: To significantly increase the coverage of social protection programs, especially for vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities, children, the elderly and rural populations that intersect with various vulnerabilities.

Enhanced benefits: Beneficiaries of social protection programs will experience improvements in the quality and quantity of benefits they receive. This will be assessed by analysing the increase in benefit levels, which should lead to better economic security for these groups.

Gender inclusivity: The Global Accelerator aims to reduce gender disparities in social protection access and benefits, particularly for unemployed women. Success in this area will be reflected in improved employment rate of women, increased access to services, reduced informal employment, reduced gender pay gap, and pay adequacy.

Creation of decent jobs

Higher employment rates: The Global Accelerator seeks to boost employment rates, especially among marginalised groups. Progress will be tracked through an increase in the overall employment rate. Gender disaggregated data will show gender differences in employment rates and help design better policies.

Reduced unemployment duration: The Global Accelerator aims to help job seekers, including women, find employment more quickly. This will be assessed by measuring the reduction in the average duration of unemployment.

Private sector partnerships: Successful collaboration with the private sector to provide employment opportunities for all categories will be a key indicator.

SDG Acceleration

SDG 1 (No Poverty): Through the expansion of social protection and job creation, the Global Accelerator contributes to the elimination of poverty.
SDG 4 (Quality Education): The emphasis on skills development aligns with the goal of quality education.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality): The GA's focus on gender-inclusive policies to promote gender equality.
SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The GA's core mission directly supports SDG 8 by fostering sustained economic growth, productive employment, and decent work for all.
SDG 10(Reduced Inequalities): Through expanding social protection systems, focusing on upskilling and reskilling the labour force, the Global Accelerator is fully aligned with SDG10 on reducing inequalities.