Introduction
This case study presents the results of a two year-long process of policy change in the field of security in Albania. The project aimed at creating a solid and legal basis for community policing in ten Albanian regions. In 2001, the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) initiated a long process of policy change which aimed to pave the road to concrete and efficient community policing, re-orienting the anti-crime oppression policy towards a crime prevention approach.

The role of local communities was considered crucial because of the relative strength of the communitarian relations at this level. The project transformed the current security policy and new local participatory structures (Consulting Groups of Police and Community - CGPCs) were institutionalised.

Type and extent of policy change
In order to create a solid basis for the policy change, IDM acted at two levels:

• The legal basis of the policy change; and
  
• The structuring and functioning of the cooperation in the field.

Some thoughts on the explanation of the policy change
The policy context
After the economic and political crisis of 1997, the level of criminality touched the highest levels of the post communist transition. The government was still lacking necessary resources and appropriate strategies to cope with it and civil society organisations stressed that criminality was a direct consequence of poor living conditions and also a consequence of the relative weakness of the legislative and the juridical structures. Furthermore, the state police was often accused by the opposition of either supporting the government or cooperating with criminal organisations. Possibly in response to this, the minister of Public Order and the Director of the State Police encouraged and participated in the project. The political influence of the local governments was also very important, especially since local government representatives are directly interested in issues of public order and crime fighting because their reputation depends deeply on their efforts to control them.

The main barrier to overcome was the overall public perception of the police service as a merely suppressive power under the control of the state. It was also necessary to persuade the stakeholders that this wasn't just 'one more' attempt, really meant to serve the public relations of the government.

The ways CSOs tried to affect policy change and impact
IDM organised local meetings with all stakeholders who agreed to meet and discuss together the feasibility of the project, the necessary activities and their involvement. Due to the reminiscences of the past, the community representatives and even some of the police officers were sceptical. Here, the role of the research conclusions was a determinant in breaking-up lingering perceptions. One of the main arguments made by the research was that, even though community and police representatives were rather reluctant about the feasibility, both parts were aware of their roles in a possible cooperation. They were also shown that criminality was lower in regions with strong community organisation.

Additionally, the whole process was supported with an important media campaign to raise awareness on the project and change the community's attitudes towards the police.

The nature of research-based evidence and mechanisms used to get the evidence into the policy process
The project implementation was preceded by in-depth multidimensional research. IDM used past data on the work and results of the police service and also criminality trends and geographical distribution - employing official data. However, the core of the research data was collected directly by IDM itself through detailed individual in-depth interviews with relevant police officers and the local communities' representatives in the ten regions. In the meantime, the police service agreed to install a free phone number for all citizens interested in supporting the police work at the local level; and the implementers organised several preparatory research meetings with stakeholders to enquire about their problems and the feasibility of the policy change.

External influences
The European and NATO integration process is the most important political issue in Albania. Therefore the legacy of the political power is directly connected to this process. Criminality is one of the most important issues defining the efficiency of the government and the possibility of integration. European institutions, but also member countries, have supported the government in fighting crime. Italy and Greece are directly interested in this issue because of the geographic position and the possibility of criminal cross-border activities.

Lessons learned
The CGPCs are already active and the first results have encouraged other institutions to replicate the project in the rest of Albania.
Some main lessons:

• Enquiring and understanding reluctances and beliefs of each of the parties involved in the policy change process is a key to success.
  
• The role of an intermediary organisation was crucial for the project. IDM facilitated the communication between all parties.
  
• The research evidence is fundamental to support arguments in creating willingness for change. Evidence is also important to convince the involved parties about the feasibility of the common action.
  
• The policy change requires the largest coalition possible between stakeholders. The creation of the CGPCs was the first step in building it up. The media campaign was important to ensure public support.

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