The National Civil Protection Agency of Albania, in close cooperation with the Secretariat of Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), hosted a regional seminar titled "Community Sustainability and Volunteer Engagement". Held in Durrës, Albania, this three-day event serves as a vital platform for strengthening disaster risk management frameworks across the region by focusing on grassroots involvement and institutional cooperation.
The core activities of the seminar were structured to transition from high-level institutional frameworks to interactive, practical applications. The event officially opened with briefings from Mr. Haki ÇAKO, Director General of the National Civil Protection Agency of Albania and Dr. Rade Rajkovchevski, Head of DPPI SEE Secretariat. The main working sessions feature a series of technical presentations centered on the theme of Community Resilience and Volunteer Engagement: Issues and Best Practices. These presentations allow participating nations to share localized expertise, address structural challenges, and debate optimal strategies during open floor discussion blocks.
A central highlight of the agenda is the collaborative Tabletop Exercise (TTX) scenario led by National Civil Protection Agency of Albania. This interactive exercise challenges participants to apply theoretical best practices to a simulated emergency, fostering real-time decision-making and cross-border operational coordination. The seminar concludes with a formal certificate awarding ceremony to recognize the joint efforts of the regional cohort.
The anticipated outcomes of this initiative focus heavily on enhanced regional standardization and stronger localized civil protection networks. By evaluating diverse case studies and completing the TTX, participants will map out concrete strategic next steps to improve volunteer mobilization and community sustainability frameworks back home. Ultimately, the seminar reinforces the shared commitment of NCPA and DPPI SEE to foster cross-border partnerships, optimize disaster preparedness, and build lasting resilience throughout South-Eastern Europe.
