Sphere in Urban Setting Training in Albania

The Sphere in Urban Settings Training, delivered in Tirana, Albania (May 2023), was part of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI-SEE) regional capacity strengthening programme. The training aimed to enhance the ability of humanitarian actors across the region to apply Sphere standards in complex urban environments, supporting improved preparedness and response to crises and conflicts.

The training emphasised people-centred and rights-based approaches, alongside systems thinking, enabling participants to conduct comprehensive needs assessments, stakeholder mapping, and context analysis tailored to urban settings.

The three-day training brought together 17 participants from nine countries across South-Eastern Europe, representing civil society organisations, government institutions, and Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. It combined interactive methodologies, practical exercises, and applied learning to strengthen participants’ capacity to design and deliver context-appropriate humanitarian responses. The training also served as preparation for the DPPI FLEX 2023 regional simulation exercise.

The training was led by Aya Yagan ensuring practical delivery, facilitation of sessions, and hands-on engagement with participants throughout the programme.