Enabled through the support of the Embassy of Switzerland, Together for Life (TFL) drives change for communities in improving their readiness to face public health emergencies. Through its grassroots engagement and forward-thinking strategies, TFL is strengthening resilience and promoting inclusive emergency preparedness.

A central pillar of the contribution is the development of five Community Resilience Networks (CRNs) in Pukë, Dajç (Shkodër), Fushë-Krujë, Gramsh, and Përmet. These networks bring together more than 80 dedicated members, who engage in targeted training and planning to lead localized emergency preparedness efforts. The CRNs focus on community education, first aid skills, and advocacy planning, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.

To amplify the impact of the CRN model, a roundtable was organized in April 2025 with 17 representatives from various civil society organizations. The event promoted replication of the CRN approach and encouraged inter-organizational collaboration, underlining the model’s potential for scale-up.

To ensure long-term sustainability, steps were taken to formalize cooperation between CRNs and municipal authorities. These steps aim to embed CRNs into local disaster risk management frameworks, transforming them from grassroots initiatives into institutionalized pillars of Albania’s emergency response system.

Five training sessions on group cohesion and community engagement took place, complemented by first aid workshops tailored to empower members regardless of their medical background. Educational materials, including digital videos, infographics, and a podcast, have raised public awareness about emergency preparedness and patients’ rights. In addition, newsletters were produced to share findings from research on patient feedback mechanisms in health centers, sparking constructive dialogue among stakeholders.

Recognizing the need for innovative solutions, TFL staff also underwent a Training of Trainers on Design Thinking provided by GFA Consulting Group GmbH within the framework of the SOLIDAR project, preparing them to facilitate future innovation labs and strengthen local project development capacity.