TIRANA, ALBANIA     On October 30, the USAID Justice for All project, which supports judicial reforms, and works with local journalists on developing fact-based investigative reporting, facilitated a discussion on court transparency throughout the country at the close of a two-day conference for Chief Judges. 
 
Journalists from the Balkans Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) met with the Chief Judges of 39 District, Appellate, and Administrative Courts to discuss findings of BIRN’s Monitoring Report on Court Transparency.

After a detailed presentation of the methodology and findings of the report by BIRN, the Chief Judges engaged in a discussion regarding a need to establish mechanisms to improve transparency in their courts.

About the Justice for All project
USAID Justice for All project is a five year effort designed to strengthen the effectiveness and transparency of the courts in Albania. To improve Albanian courts’ performance, the project provides assistance to increase court efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Ultimately, the project aims to increase citizens’ trust in the judiciary.

Additionally, to combat corruption and promote transparency, the USAID Justice for All project trains journalists to engage in more fact-based, cross-border, and national investigative journalism, and complements efforts to monitor the performance of the courts.