However, despite these efforts, the corruption remains an arduous challenge. According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Albania ranks 101 out of 180 countries. 1F 2 Despite its improvement by one compared to 2021, the country still ranks among the most corrupt in Europe. In addition, for the same year, Freedom House ranked Albania as a“transitional or hybrid regime,” 2F 3 highlighting the enduring struggle to establish robust democratic practices. This ongoing challenge is also reflected in public opinion. In 2022, the majority of Albanians(76.5% and 79.1% respectively) reported that petty corruption and grand corruption are widespread or very widespread. 3F 4 Furthermore, a significant majority of citizens perceive corruption as a substantial threat. According to the Albanian Security Barometer 2022 conducted by the Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance, most citizens think that the threat of corruption in Albania is big (49.3%) or very big(37.7%). 4F 5 Furthermore, when asked about the results of the fight against corruption, 50.3% of citizens say that corruption will remain the same in the next years. In comparison, 19.5% think that corruption will increase in the future, and only 27.1% are optimistic that corruption will be reduced. 5F 6 Within this complex landscape, the persistence of corruption is evident. As Albania strives to reconcile its aspirations for transparency and integrity with the blunt reality of deeply embedded corruption, the imperative for long-term, sustainable solutions becomes more pressing than ever. This conundrum underscores the immediate requirement for more robust anti-corruption measures, particularly in recognizing the pivotal role of whistleblowing. Whistleblowing refers to the act where a person reports a concern or discloses information on actions and omissions that they have come across in the course of their work that represent a threat or harm to the public interest. 6F 7 Whistleblowing has been increasingly recognized as a substantial mechanism in preventing and detecting corruption and other malpractices and strengthening democratic accountability and transparency. Whistleblowers act as vital catalysts, exposing wrongdoings and promoting transparency. They help ensure the effective application of the national systems of accountability by allowing those legally responsible for the alleged misconduct the opportunity to address the problem and to account for their actions. 7F 8 2 Transparency International, 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022/index/alb. 3 Freedom House, Nations in Transit 2022, Albania, https://freedomhouse.org/country/albania/nations­transit/2022. 4 Institute for Democracy and Mediation, Opinion Poll 2022, Trust in Governance, 10 th Edition, https://idmalbania.org/publication-of-the-10th-edition-of-trust-in-governance-annual-public-opinion-poll-in­albania/. 5 Center for the Study of Democracy and Governance, Albanian Security Barometer 2022. https://csdgalbania.org/albanian-security-barometer-2022/. 6 Ibid. 7 Council of Europe. October 2014. Protection of Whistleblowers: Recommendation CM/Rec(2014)7 and explanatory memorandum. 8 Ibid. A KEY STEP IN EFFECTIVELY FIGHTING CORRUPTION | 4