On February 17, 2025, we held the second focus group with renowned investigative journalists, where we introduced the initiative “Strengthening Capacities for Sustainable Monitoring of Public Contracts.” This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (Embassy of Netherlands in Albania) under the #MATRA program and aims to create a new convening space that will serve as a hub for analysis, information, discussion, and advocacy for public contracts:

During the meeting, journalists identified key challenges they face in their investigative work, including:

 Difficulties in accessing official information in a timely and efficient manner;

 Misuse of the Right to Information Law by institutions to delay official responses;

 Lack of a practical guide for young journalists aspiring to engage in investigative journalism.

This initiative is implemented by CLE—Centre for Legal Empowerment, in partnership with the Albanian Institute for Research and with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (Embassy of the Netherlands in Albania).