EU4Digital Justice: Building Trust Through Digital Transformation

For many years, prosecutors in Albania have faced challenges arising from extensive paper archives and lengthy case processing. Today, a new digital initiative is laying the foundations for transforming the justice system, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and security, while enabling institutions to exchange information and work together more effectively.

As Albania's path towards European Union accession is closely linked to its commitment to strengthening the rule of law, this project modernises the way prosecutors work. By moving from paper-based workflows and archives to a secure, fully digital case management system, the EU-funded EU4Digital Justice project reinforces accountability and alignment with European standards.

"This project is much more than support for the General Prosecution Office. It is a benchmark for Albania's progress on the rule of law in the EU accession process, while also delivering practical reforms," explains Artem Danchenko of UNOPS, the project's implementing partner. "The goal is to ensure judicial institutions can exchange information and work together, creating a unified digital space. Alongside this, a modern case management system is being introduced, supported by upgraded networks, new servers, and secure data storage. For the first time, prosecutors will move from paper-based processes to a digital environment that strengthens efficiency, transparency, interoperability, and cooperation."

A key outcome of the project is the development of a new Case Management System, which digitises the entire criminal case lifecycle while improving the quality, consistency, and accessibility of judicial data.

"Every registration, process, and archive has been paper-based, creating delays, overflowing storage rooms, and unreliable statistics," says Danchenko. "At present, gathering judicial data can take months, with staff manually checking registers and spreadsheets that do not always match. Our aim is to change this by introducing a digital case workflow, secure digital archives, and accurate reporting. With the new system, information will be generated online instantly, based on consistent data."

Once operational, the Case Management System will ensure that criminal cases transferred from the police to the prosecution, and subsequently from the prosecution to the courts, are fully digitised. The objective is to progressively phase out paper files, enabling faster and more efficient workflows. Tasks such as case registration or retrieving information from national registers will be completed instantly, eliminating paper-based requests and delays. Case materials will be accessible at the touch of a button, significantly reducing the administrative burden and saving valuable time.

Equally important are the system's security and transparency features. Unlike paper files, digital systems create a complete audit trail. Every action, whether a document is accessed, edited, or reviewed, is automatically recorded, including the identity of the user and the time of the action. This strengthens accountability, protects sensitive personal data, and enhances the transparency of investigations.

"The system ensures that every action is traceable, reinforcing trust in the justice process," Danchenko explains.

The platform will also enable secure access to case information across prosecution offices. For example, information collected in Shkodër can be securely accessed by authorised colleagues in Tirana, Vlorë, or Durrës without delays caused by the physical transfer of files. Regional offices will gain immediate access to case materials once the appropriate permissions have been granted within the system.

Hardware is also an important component of the support provided through EU4Digital Justice. IT network equipment has already been delivered and installed at the General Prosecution Office to ensure the new system can operate securely.

Given the sensitivity of personal data, cybersecurity has been a central priority throughout the design and development of the system.

"We had the opportunity to exchange practices with Estonia, recognised as one of the world's leaders in digitalisation. Based on their experience, we introduced clear recommendations and are now conducting an independent security audit to identify and address vulnerabilities before launch," says Danchenko. "The system is being built using a security-by-design approach, will be tested by external experts upon completion, and will be supported by continuous updates to ensure long-term protection."

Alongside the technical development, the project is also supporting broader institutional reforms. This includes strengthening the capacity of the IT Centre and its staff to advance the Roadmap for Interoperability, streamlining processes, and supporting the necessary legal changes in cooperation with the High Judicial Council and other relevant institutions.

"These steps are essential to embed the Case Management System within Albania's wider justice framework, alongside similar efforts in the courts," Danchenko notes.

The EU4Digital Justice project supports the integration of judicial information systems into a unified national digital space; introduces a modern case management system supported by upgraded infrastructure; embeds robust cybersecurity measures; ensures transparency through comprehensive audit trails; facilitates integration between the police, prosecution, and courts; and promotes long-term sustainability through government ownership and maintenance.

Background information

The EU4Digital Justice project, funded by the European Union under IPA III with a budget of EUR 7.5 million, aims to transform Albania's justice system through digital innovation. Implemented by UNOPS, in over 48 months, the project will establish a modern Case Management System for the Prosecutor's Office, enhance the Information Technology Centre for the Justice System capacity and implement Business Intelligence tools for data- driven decision-making. This initiative seeks to strengthen the rule of law, improve institutional efficiency, and provide faster, more transparent justice services aligned with the EU standards.