Dear Reader,
January 2024 marks the five-year anniversary of our first steps as activists, human rights defenders, volunteers advocating for those in need. In the diverse context of our country’s reforms and our clear commitment to European integration, we have sought to provide a vital alternative voice by integrating the needs, constraints, challenges, and opportunities of our communities. The Institute for Activism and Social Change, a nongovernmental, nonpartisan, and non-political organization, was officially registered on January 31, 2019 under Court Decision no. 6150, in the Tirana District Court (L91420451O).
We are a group of professionals dedicated to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Through our individual and organizational experiences, we have learned valuable lessons and continue to believe that our country and region can improve. Our mission is rooted in the conviction that more inclusive, empathetic, and resilient societies can combat growing social polarization and promote inclusiveness and human dignity.
Since our founding, IANS has evolved into a dynamic national organization focused on achieving results and making a tangible impact. We are willing to take risks and are grounded in values that have remained fundamentally unchanged since our inception. We strive to remain close to those with whom and for whom we work, ensuring we are useful and respectful while confidently overcoming challenges and perceiving issues holistically to approach solutions effectively. We wish to retain the energy and idealism of our early days and existing professional backgrounds, along with the creativity, common sense, and integrity of our efforts, all while building professional capacities through collaboration with individuals of profound expertise and experience.
In a globalized world facing complex crises, conflicts, and wars—just like those we experience here at home in our beloved Albania—our services are still needed, perhaps more than we could have imagined in our early days as human rights defenders in the early '90s.
We thank you for the opportunity to reflect on our work, our co-workers, volunteers, partner organizations, and of course, the donor community from many countries.
Thank you for your trust and support; we are delighted to continue our efforts thanks to you.

IANS staff and collaborators