OSCE Presence in Albania organizes training on whistleblowing and whistleblower protection for business companies

From 24 June to 2 July 2021, the OSCE Presence in Albania organized an online training course for businesses on whistleblowing and whistleblowers protection. The course highlighted whistleblowing as a relevant mechanism in maintaining integrity and controlling corruption. The event was organized in collaboration with the High inspectorate for Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflict of interest (HIDAACI).

The training targeted about 150 companies operating in different sectors, such as construction, manufacturing, telecommunication, and service that have a responsible unit to manage whistleblowing practices as per legal provisions in place, applicable for both public and private sector.

The course aimed to raise awareness and understanding of whistleblowers, develop capacities, and guide those responsible on drafting internal regulations to safeguard whistleblowers’ rights. It also provided practical information on available internal and external reporting mechanisms, ways to prevent and address retaliation and promote good international practices.

Participants discussed about different forms of whistleblowing, and explored the concept of corruption and fraud, collusion and other forms of corruption involving the business sector. 

The Presence has been providing support to HIDAACI and the business sector since 2018. Three-hundred and fifty private companies were offered training courses on whistleblowing.