The concluding conference: “Fulfilling the Promise of Whistleblowing: Protecting Citizens’ Rights and Fighting Corruption” organized by CSDG with the support of the Balkan Trust for Democracy and USAID, aimed to promote reforms to make whistleblowing a powerful tool for justice and transparency. The conference emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and the key role of institutions, media, and civil society in protecting whistleblowers and strengthening transparency.
Key Points:
- Whistleblowing was considered as a crucial mechanism for uncovering corruption and abuse of power, underlining the need for a safe environment for reporting.
- The EU Whistleblowing Directive (2019/1937) was considered a priority for Albania to advance integration and strengthen transparency.
- Media and civil society were identified as key actors in promoting and protecting whistleblowers.
- Legal and institutional reforms are identified as vital for strengthening justice and ensuring effective protection for whistleblowers.
Key Recommendations:
- Align Albanian legislation with EU standards on whistleblowing.
- Educate and raise awareness among citizens and institutions about the role of whistleblowers.
- Improve transparency and credibility in reporting cases.
- Ensure clear political will for implementing reforms.
