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An important agreement has been signed between UIM Albania and the Foundation “Our Lady of Good Counsel”, aimed at providing more structured support to Italians residing in Albania — particularly Italian students enrolled at the University and Italian patients hosted at the Foundation’s Hospital, as well as those working there.

The memorandum of understanding — signed by Giuliano Zignani, President of the Ital UIL patronage organization, which includes UIM Albania, and by Fr. Ruggero Valentini, President of the Foundation “Our Lady of Good Counsel” — marks a step forward in protecting and assisting those who choose Albania for education or medical treatment.

DEDICATED (NOT ONLY) TO STUDENTS
Italian students attending the University of the Foundation “Our Lady of Good Counsel” will benefit from a wide range of support services. Thanks to the collaboration with UIM Albania and ITAL-UIL, essential tools will be made available to ease their academic experience and stay in the country.

The agreement includes three key areas of support:

• Patronage services, offering advice on pensions, contributions, and social security and welfare rights
• Fiscal assistance, through the support of CAF UIL for income tax filings and other bureaucratic processes
• Administrative support, helping Italian students and patients integrate and manage administrative procedures

UIM Albania and the Foundation will also work together to promote the initiative through events, educational materials, and institutional channels.

CONCRETE COMMITMENTS TO ENSURE QUALITY AND CONTINUITY
The parties involved have committed to providing high-quality services. UIM Albania will offer qualified personnel, ensuring confidentiality and privacy protection for Italian students and patients. Additionally, through ITAL-UIL, internships can be activated in Italy and abroad, alongside participation in joint European projects.

With this memorandum of understanding, both institutions lay the foundation for a collaboration aimed at strengthening the Italian community in Albania, offering concrete support to those who choose to study or receive health care in the country.

The Albanian government has decided to ease access for foreign students who wish to study in Albania, whether at private or public universities. A new decree issued recently includes several measures aimed at simplifying the bureaucracy related to visas and residence permits.

The regulation approved by the Council of Ministers states that a suitable housing self-declaration may be issued by the foreign student applying for a visa. If the student does not provide such a declaration, the housing document can be issued by the university (if it provides this service) or by other entities that offer housing services.

A financial coverage certificate is required, amounting to 300,000 Lek (approximately €2,800) in a bank account in the student’s home country. Additionally, proof of knowledge of the language of the study program—or confirmation of acceptance to a preparatory language course—is needed.

For those applying for a residence permit, financial coverage can also be demonstrated through other means in addition to funds in an Albanian bank account, such as donations, scholarships, a valid employment contract, or a job offer. The total value must not be less than 300,000 Lek per person for a one-year period.

Among the new measures is also the obligation for educational institutions and universities to communicate, in written or electronic form, with the authorities. They must send periodic reports every six months or upon request from border and migration authorities regarding the participation of foreign students in educational programs. Immediate notification is required in cases where institutions become aware of information that could lead to the cancellation of a visa. If there are issues with foreign students, or if their studies are temporarily or permanently interrupted, the information must be immediately reported to the local border and migration authorities.

December 2024 marked a significant moment for the Italian and Albanian communities: the official inauguration of the UIM Albania office in Tirana! The event was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including the President of ITAL UIL, Giuliano Zignani, the UIL Confederate Secretary, Santo Biondo, the General Director of ITAL UIL, Maria Candida Imburgia, the Vice President of UIM – Union of Italians in the World, Andrea Bonifazi, and the new UIM Albania office directors.

The highlight of the ceremony was the symbolic ribbon-cutting, decorated with the colors of the Italian and Albanian flags — a gesture underscoring the strong and lasting friendship between the two peoples.

The mission of UIM Albania is clear and ambitious: to support Italians living in Albania and Albanians abroad by offering high-quality services. The new Tirana office serves as a reference point for everyone, providing assistance through services such as Patronato, Caf, support with platforms like e-Albania, and a wide range of consulting services tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families.

And that’s not all: UIM Albania is working to expand further, with plans to open new offices in other Albanian cities. This commitment highlights the desire to be a constant and reliable presence for those in need of guidance, support, and opportunity.

Beyond services, UIM Albania aims to act as a cultural bridge, promoting initiatives that foster dialogue between Italian and Albanian traditions. From cultural events to social and economic collaboration projects, the vision is to build a network of mutual support and growth.

With this inauguration, a new chapter begins in Italy-Albania relations — one built on solidarity, cooperation, and a shared future.

The recent visit to Tirana by the ITAL UIL delegation marked an important opportunity to strengthen cooperative ties with prominent figures from Albania’s major political parties. The Albanian community in Italy — a key pillar of the country’s social and cultural fabric — was at the center of these significant discussions, led by Giuliano Zignani, ITAL National Secretary and head of the delegation.

Among the central participants in these talks were Taulant Balla, Minister for Relations with Parliament and a prominent member of the Socialist Party, and Jozefina Topalli, a leading figure within the Democratic Party. Both politicians are actively engaged in their respective party platforms concerning policies related to the Albanian diaspora.

During the meeting with Minister Taulant Balla, key topics were addressed — most notably, voting rights for Albanian citizens living abroad and the need to ensure adequate political representation. Balla reaffirmed the Socialist Party’s commitment to recognizing the diaspora’s role as an essential part of Albania’s democratic process.

Jozefina Topalli, for her part, emphasized the economic, social, and cultural contributions of the Albanian diaspora, describing it as a strategic asset for the country’s future. She also reiterated the importance of active political engagement among diaspora communities.

These meetings marked a meaningful step toward the broader recognition of the Albanian diaspora as a strategic bridge between Albania and the rest of the world, opening new perspectives for inclusive and future-oriented political collaboration.

The ITAL UIL delegation, led by National Secretary Giuliano Zignani, recently visited Tirana with the aim of strengthening ties with Albanian institutions and promoting closer cooperation between Italy and Albania. During this visit, an important agreement was renewed with Albania’s Institute of Social Insurance (ISSH), with participation from UIM Albania representatives — marking a significant step forward in bilateral collaboration.

The agreement, enthusiastically signed by all parties involved, establishes a dedicated helpdesk for returning migrants. This service is designed to assist individuals in accessing pension benefits as outlined in the bilateral agreements between the two countries. The main goal is to ensure that Albanian citizens who worked in Italy can claim their pension rights easily and transparently.

ITAL National President Giuliano Zignani emphasized the significance of the protocol, describing it as a tangible example of how international cooperation can improve people’s lives. He also highlighted the critical role of the Albanian diaspora as a bridge between the two nations and reaffirmed ITAL UIL’s commitment to offering social protection and support to those in need.

During the visit, the delegation also initiated a dialogue with other key stakeholders, including the “Nostra Signora del Buon Consiglio” University, with the intention of expanding welfare and tax advisory services for Italian students and patients residing in Albania.

The Italo-Albanian community in our country continues to grow, drawing increasing attention from Italian institutions.

In this context, a joint delegation from ITAL UIL, led by its president Giuliano Zignani, and UIL Pensionati, represented by its general secretary, the prominent trade unionist Carmelo Barbagallo, recently conducted a multi-day visit to Albania. ITAL UIL has over 70 years of activity and operates 1,500 offices in Italy, assisting tens of thousands of Albanians each year. UIL Pensionati represents 600,000 registered retirees.

The Italian delegation followed an intensive schedule of meetings, including one at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs with Ermonela Xhafa, Director of the National Diaspora Agency. Discussions focused on the services that ITAL UIL and UIL Pensionati offer to Albanians, both in Italy and across 30 countries worldwide, including Tirana, where support is available through the UIM Albania office.

Also of strategic importance was the meeting with Confindustria Albania, which centered on industrial relations and labor market trends, with attention to social impact. The goal was to identify best practices to build shared strategies that address the challenges of a transforming economy.

Beyond high-level meetings with the Italian diplomatic mission in Albania, the delegation led by Zignani and Barbagallo dedicated part of their trip to meeting Italian citizens in two symbolic cities of this reverse migration — Durrës and Vlorë — to better understand the needs of those who have chosen to move across the Adriatic and settle in Albania.

Through its local office, UIM Albania, ITAL UIL and UIL Pensionati expressed their readiness to serve as a bridge between the Italo-Albanian community and local institutions — such as in meetings with the Mayor of Vlorë, Ermal Dredha, and the Deputy Mayor of Durrës, Gentian Kallmi.

“With this visit,” said UIL Pensionati Secretary General Carmelo Barbagallo, “we’ve taken an important step in strengthening our commitment to Italian retirees living abroad and to the many Albanian workers and retirees who contributed to Italy’s development. We want their pension rights to be acknowledged, and access to those benefits to be more transparent and straightforward. UIL Pensionati, ITAL UIL, and UIM Albania will always stand by those who have worked their whole lives and deserve respect and dignity — beyond borders.”

The visit capped a phase of intensive work that began with earlier meetings last December, when ITAL and UIL representatives were welcomed in Tirana by Minister Taulant Balla and opposition leaders, and a renewed cooperation agreement was signed with Albania’s Social Insurance Institute (ISSH).

Ideas turned into action, workshops and training, connections and inspiring stories — the second edition of Ital Next Gen, held recently in Cesenatico, was a fantastic experience of growth, and we at UIM Albania were thrilled to take part.

The goal was simple: to build the future of the Patronato Ital UIL together, through a new generation of talent.

Three intense days of exchange and fresh ideas were shared by over 80 young professionals from ITAL Patronato, coming not only from across Italy but also from several international offices. Among them was our own Tresjana Elmazi, who had the chance to experience the vibrant spirit of this extraordinary support network.

The event was inaugurated by ITAL National President Giuliano Zignani, who once again placed his trust in the initiative and reaffirmed the importance of younger generations in shaping his vision for the Patronato.

A strong focus was placed on knowledge and skill-building, with contributions from the ITAL Legal Advisory Board and a special session on social inclusion, enriched by real stories and testimonials from civil society organizations.

The second day of Ital Next Gen 2025 was dedicated to equipping young participants — the true protagonists of the event — with tools to face both present and future challenges of the Patronato. Group work around specific themes, new ideas and enthusiastic debate made for a dynamic day of both personal and professional development.

For the Italo-Albanian community, the third day was particularly meaningful. Activist Geri Ballo shared key updates on the new pension agreement between Albania and Italy, which comes into effect on July 1, highlighting UIM Albania’s ongoing efforts in implementing it over the past few weeks.

Each participant received a certificate of completion, customizable with badges representing technical and soft skills acquired during the three-day program — a tangible way to reflect on personal growth and acknowledge the value of the experience.

The second edition of Ital Next Gen closed with these words from President Giuliano Zignani:
“The future of Patronato ITAL is already here. It has the curious gaze of those who want to learn, the voice of those who have something to say, and the courage of those ready to build.”