Albania’s committed effort against corruption and organized crime is not just a national concern—it is a defining challenge that will shape the future of the country and its aspirations for European Union integration. As these issues infiltrate every level of society, there is a need for stringent oversight and critical evaluation of the specialised institutions responsible for upholding justice. This report delves deep into this struggle, rigorously analysing the effectiveness and performance of SPAK and Special Courts at the frontlines, highlighting their essential role in Albania’s path toward EU membership.

This report is also the result of civil society’s concerted efforts, which play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and public trust in Albania’s key institutions, such as SPAK and the Special Courts. By providing independent analysis, the report aims to reflect real-world concerns and includes informed recommendations. This contribution makes the report more comprehensive, credible, and aligned with the needs of the broader public, enhancing its overall impact and relevance.

Beyond a simple assessment, this report delves into a multifaceted evaluation of these institutions, aiming to provide a well-rounded analysis of their effectiveness in combating corruption and organized crime. Additionally, the report aims to contribute to policy discussions with detailed, evidence-based assessments and promote the engagement of local and international stakeholders to address key issues in the ongoing fight against corruption and organized crime.

It introduces several innovative elements that distinguish it from previous analyses. Firstly, it integrates a comprehensive set of criteria—productivity, efficiency, relevance, and transparency—allowing for a more nuanced evaluation of institutional performance. Secondly, it adds considerable value by systematically tracking key indicators to pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement, thereby enhancing the methodologies used for performance assessments and reporting practices. Thirdly, the holistic approach used provides a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness, complexity, and broader implications of these activities. Finally, it provides an evidence-based assessment that goes beyond mere numbers, aiming to provide deeper insights and a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying issues.

This assessment is motivated by the drive to create a robust and comprehensive evaluation of corruption and organized crime in Albania, focusing on the most complex and significant cases. It is not just an assessment; it represents a critical tool for understanding the scope and impact of corruption and organized crime. By analysing the corruption cases, the focus is on understanding the involvement of high-level officials, the scale and severity of the corrupt acts, and the broader impact on governance, economy and society as a whole. When evaluating the relevance of organized crime cases, the objective is to gain insight into the structure, operations, and complexity of these criminal activities, along with their broader impact, especially in terms of their international scope and influence.

The report is structured into four main chapters, each corresponding to the key criteria evaluated, namely productivity, efficiency, relevance, and transparency, followed by a conclusion and recommendations section. To provide comprehensive support for the findings, the report is supplemented with annexes on methodology and track record data.