CLE is non-profit organization focused on legal empowerment of communities, CSOs, reporters, students, etc. The Centre is composed of legal and financial experts, paralegals, and researchers in the field of law. The focus of CLE is to provide legal aid to the community and to draw sustainable change in the Albanian society by advocating for the rule of law, democratization and protection of the human rights.
CLE provides legal assistance, leads strategic litigation, and engages in civic oversight initiatives, with a particular focus on environmental justice, anti-corruption, and access to justice. It has handled over 23 strategic litigation cases, including high-profile environmental and labor rights issues, such as illegal hydropower projects, and unlawful collective dismissals.
In the field of anti-corruption, CLE monitors the implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) contracts, promotes transparency in public procurement, and has filed legal actions to challenge irregularities in concession contracts and public spending. It also supports civic actors and journalists in accessing public information and tracking corruption risks in local and national institutions.
CLE is a key contributor to www.juristionline.al, the only e-government platform offering free legal aid in Albania, developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Directorate of Free Legal Aid. Through this platform, CLE has responded to over 6,200 legal inquiries.
Its activities are supported by a mix of national and international donors (such as the Open Society Foundation, Dutch Embassy and UNDP), government platforms, and independent grants, making it a leading actor in legal empowerment and democratic accountability in Albania.
