LOCAL-DRM – Strengthening Local Disaster Risk Management Capability at Local Level

Strengthening Local Resilience in Albania: The LOCAL-DRM Story

In a country where floods, fires, earthquakes, and other natural hazards pose real and recurring threats, the LOCAL-DRM project emerged as a timely and focused effort to strengthen Albania’s disaster risk management at its most critical level: the local one.

Funded by the European Commission through DG ECHO and implemented under the leadership of the National Civil Protection Agency (NCPA), LOCAL-DRM reached all 12 prefectures and engaged every one of the country’s 61 municipalities - delivering impact that extended far beyond training sessions and reports.

The project began with a nationwide needs assessment, designed to identify local capacity gaps in risk assessment, planning, and coordination. These findings shaped a tailored training program, which between December 2024 and April 2025, brought together 435 local officials from municipalities, prefectures, and other institutions for 11 intensive regional training events. The sessions focused on practical tools and frameworks for risk identification, legal responsibilities under national law, and context-specific hazards—from floods and fires to earthquakes and epidemics. Evaluation results showed over 90% satisfaction and a clear boost in knowledge and confidence across all regions.

In parallel, LOCAL-DRM conducted a review of financial practices across municipalities to assess how disaster risk was—or was not—being integrated into local budgeting. Based on this analysis, the project developed and delivered a dedicated training program between February and April 2025, reaching 354 professionals from municipal finance departments, civil protection units, and legal and procurement offices. These sessions introduced practical strategies for risk-sensitive budgeting and financial preparedness—addressing a critical gap in local governance.

Beyond institutional capacity, the project also invested heavily in public awareness and visibility. Five short videos were produced, each tackling a specific risk theme—from floods to landslides—accompanied by thematic leaflets and three user-friendly mini-guides tailored for homes, schools, and workplaces. These materials helped bring disaster risk reduction closer to citizens and contributed to a broader culture of prevention and resilience.

Crucially, LOCAL-DRM’s achievements were not just about numbers—they were about building connections and coordination. The project fostered collaboration between civil protection and finance departments, brought regional NCPA staff to the forefront of multi-level coordination, and set a precedent for what inclusive, technically sound, and nationally aligned action can look like.

As a result, municipalities are now more aware, better equipped and more committed to fulfilling their civil protection obligations. The project has laid the groundwork for local disaster risk governance that is both resilient and sustainable—turning a national mandate into local action, one municipality at a time.