URAT – United Response Against Trafficking

About

About URAT

URAT – United Response Against Trafficking (in Albanian, "Përgjigje e Bashkuar Kundër Trafikimit") is a network of 12 civil society organisations working together against human trafficking in Albania.

Who we are

URAT is a network of 12 member organisations working across Albania. It has been operating for more than 10 years.

URAT is an informal functional network: it is regulated by a signed agreement and internal rules between its members, and it does not have legal entity status.

How we began

Establishment and network evolution

URAT was established in 2010 by Sister Imelda Poole, bringing together religious sisters from diverse congregations to respond collectively to the trafficking threats facing Albania. Founded initially as United Religious Against Trafficking, the network grew to include specialist NGO partners and wider civil society collaborators — evolving into United Response Against Trafficking while holding on to its founding purpose: to defend human dignity.

Members pool their expertise across prevention, survivor care, rehabilitation, reintegration and advocacy, working together with public institutions to strengthen Albania's response to trafficking. Leadership and Secretariat duties rotate among members, so responsibility — and accountability — is shared equally.

Our mission and three pillars

URAT’s mission is to deliver a coordinated and impactful response to human trafficking. The mission rests on three pillars:

01

Working in partnership to mobilise actors to reduce human trafficking in Albania.

02

Reducing the vulnerability of potential victims of trafficking and weakening the vulnerabilities that might lead to exploitation.

03

Promoting effective responses in the fight against human trafficking by protecting victims' and survivors' rights.

Since 2010

Our History

From a small gathering of religious sisters to a 12-member network — the story of how URAT came together, and what it has built along the way.

  1. 2016

    The UN Gift Box comes to Albania

    In 2016, URAT launched the UN Gift Box initiative in Albania — developed together with international partners and the Office of the National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator, with permission from Stop The Traffik to adapt the campaign locally. First launched in Durrës Municipality, the Gift Box is a travelling, interactive installation: a box that promises something beautiful, but opens to reveal the harsh realities of exploitation and the stories of survivors inside — a direct, public way to show how traffickers' tricks work, and where people can turn for support.

    Since that first campaign, URAT has carried the Gift Box to Tirana, Durrës, Sarandë, Shkodër, Kukës, Shëngjin, Lezhë, Vlorë, Elbasan, Korçë, Rrëshen, Kamëz, Berat and Prizren in Kosovo — partnering each time with municipalities, public institutions, young people and volunteers to bring trafficking-prevention education directly to local communities.

  2. Every year

    Days of action and remembrance

    Each year, URAT marks three key dates with public awareness campaigns and advocacy activities, building public engagement, community participation and solidarity with survivors.

    • 30 JulyWorld Day Against Trafficking in Persons
    • 18 OctoberEU Anti-Trafficking Day
    • 8 FebruarySaint Josephine Bakhita Day

    Every February, as part of this observance, URAT honours the legacy of Saint Bakhita — a former slave who gained her freedom, and whose life embodies the dignity and freedom survivors of trafficking are working to reclaim. URAT brings together religious orders, civil society organisations and young people to mark the day, preserving the network’s founding heritage.

  3. 2024

    Engaging policymakers nationally

    In 2024, URAT convened a national conference with representatives from Albania's Ministry of Interior to discuss strengthening victim-centred responses to trafficking — including coordinated support, rehabilitation, and protecting victims' rights through the prosecution process. 80 people took part in the discussion on Albania's trafficking response strategy.

  4. Ongoing

    Building the evidence base

    URAT has produced its first Annual Report on Trafficking in Albania — the first consolidated report from Albania's civil society network against trafficking, drawing on figures gathered directly by member organisations working with survivors on the ground. It sets out the scope of civil society's response to trafficking in Albania, and highlights where victim protection and reintegration policy still falls short.

  5. Recent

    Art and culture for awareness and fundraising

    URAT has also explored working with artists and cultural organisations to raise awareness and funds for survivors of trafficking. One result was "Albanian Night for Freedom and Hope," an event held in support of survivors' reintegration.

How the network is governed

URAT is an informal functional network, regulated by a signed agreement and internal rules. It does not have legal entity status.

Leadership and secretarial roles rotate annually among members. The current Leader is Different and Equal, and the current Secretary is Medaille Trust.

The Leader facilitates meetings, supervises activities and represents the network externally. The Secretary manages administrative tasks, maintains records, and coordinates activities and communication.

Membership is open to non-governmental, non-profit organisations with at least five years of experience in anti-trafficking work. Members commit to active participation, identifying needs, and contributing to the annual activity plan.

New members require unanimous approval from existing members, and activity decisions are made by a two-thirds majority vote.

Information sharing among members follows strict confidentiality rules. Formal decisions are shared by email, and an annual visibility and activity plan guides the network’s public presence.

Financial accountability

The organisation holding the leadership and secretary role for the year acts as the financial facilitator for URAT events and activities. When dedicated funding is unavailable, members cover event costs from their own budgets, and these contributions are pooled.

The Secretariat provides transparent financial reporting on all member contributions.

Funding partners

URAT has managed funding from the following partners:

  • US Embassy
  • Talitha Kum
  • RENATE
  • ARISE Foundation

Over the years, funders including the US Embassy in Albania, the ARISE Foundation, Talitha Kum, the RENATE Network, Medaille Trust and World Vision have supported URAT's joint activities. Member organisations also draw on their own funds to carry out shared initiatives — with staff across the network contributing time, expertise and resources, especially when dedicated funding isn't available.

Members

URAT’s 12 member organisations, listed with their current network role where applicable.