Opening Activity – Green Line for the Consumer Protection, 12 February 2025

The Alert Center in cooperation with the European Movement in Albania (EMA) held the Opening Event on February 12, 2025, near the premises of Tirana International Hotel, within the project “Green line for consumer protection – Food safety and strengthening the protection of consumer rights in Albania through the empowerment of local CSOs”, financed by the European Union (IPA III/2024).

The welcoming speech was given by Mr. Granit Sokolaj – Executive Director, ALERT Center, who emphasized the importance of this project to increase consumer protection in the country and the awareness of citizens about this right and encouraging them to address their complaints to public institutions. Through the Green Line, as an innovation implemented by the Alert Center, it is intended that all consumer complaints be resolved by the relevant institutions and made public on the dedicated platform to increase transparency on these issues. In addition, the project aims to strengthen the capacities of local civil society organizations for the protection of consumer rights, through the various activities envisaged, and above all with the creation of a network of CSOs for consumer protection as a mechanism for joint advocacy with political institutions for legal initiatives and interventions in support of consumer rights.

Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director, European Movement in Albania, underlined that since consumer protection is included in Chapter 28 of the EU acquis, it is an issue that requires constant attention from the relevant actors. This is especially important considering the still early stage level of preparation and limited progress in this area, within the European integration process. He clarified that this project will directly involve all interested actors in the Discussion and Consultation Roundtables of the Partnership Platform for European Integration (PPIE) for Chapters 28, 12 and 1, with the aim of harmonising Albanian legislation with the EU acquis, deepening the dialogue and discussion on this important and specific area that requires immediate action.

Mr. László Árendás, Program Manager for Agriculture and Rural Development at the EU Delegation in Albania, mentioned the importance of cooperation between different actors in the country and the continuity of support from the EU that will be offered for this issue. He underlined that the European Commission considers this field as a priority, identifying it as a sector that needs intervention and improvements, so that the legislation of Albania is more closely aligned with that of the European Union. Also, Mr. Árendás discussed the use of some pesticides that have been banned in Albania in line with the intervention in the EU, emphasizing the need to inform producers and consumers about these changes.

Mr. Arian Jaupllari, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, during his speech focused on the importance of risk prevention, and the highest possible awareness of consumers, as a key link to have interaction from all parties to maintain food safety in the country. He further emphasized that initiatives such as the green line will help the inclusiveness of all actors to protect consumer rights.

Other panelists from the SANECA/GIZ project; Helvetas Albania, and the Chamber of Business of the Albanian Diaspora and other participants from public institutions, private companies, civil society organisations and media actors, drew attention to other issues such as the 6 acts of the European Union in the consumer field that our legislation should reflect and apply in practice; addressing other areas, not only that of food safety, such as electronic commerce, medicinal plants, or tourist packages for consumer protection against abuses, frauds and inappropriate services; risks from greenwashing; consistent customer complaint and their handling.

This opening activity aimed to present this project in more detail, including its goals and objectives, the planned activities, in order to increase the active involvement of various actors with interest in this field during the other phases of the project. Also, it was intended to provide opportunities for cooperation and engagement for all participants.

**This activity took place within the project “Green line for consumer protection – Food safety and strengthening the protection of consumer rights in Albania through the empowerment of local CSOs”, financed by the European Union (IPA III/2024), which is being implemented by the Alert Center in cooperation with the European Movement in Albania (EMA).