Nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is a country rich in history and close-knit communities. But for many people with intellectual disabilities, daily life can still be marked by limited opportunities. Support systems are fragmented, awareness of intellectual disabilities continues to evolve, and families often find themselves navigating a patchwork of schools, community centers, residential facilities, and private organizations in search of services. There is no single system that identifies where people with intellectual disabilities live or what support they receive, making it difficult to connect them with programs that can help.
Cultural attitudes add another layer of complexity.
"Many people, even decision-makers, still don't fully understand what Special Olympics is or what sport can do for people with intellectual disabilities. We're still struggling with the basics of human dignity and human rights before we can even begin talking about sports."
The challenges for families are even more immediate.
"If parents are struggling to put food on the table, their priority isn't going to be sports," Bala explained.
Yet rather than allowing those realities to define what was possible, Special Olympics Albania chose to focus on what it could build.
When the Program was reestablished in 2017, its first goal wasn't to launch Local Clubs or organize large competitions. It was simply to find athletes.
What is a Local Club?
Without a national database or a centralized system, staff and volunteers traveled throughout the country, meeting with school principals, teachers, municipal leaders, residential centers, community organizations, therapists, and families. Every new relationship became another piece of a growing network.
"Every database we have built is through our own work because we cannot access this information anywhere else," Bala said.
Those early years were filled with small activities like friendly competitions, youth projects, school visits, and community events. Individually, they seemed modest. Collectively, they became the foundation of an entirely new way of working.
"When you've done one hundred small activities over five years, it becomes like a puzzle," Bala said. "Now we know which clubs are ready for health programming, which communities are interested in youth leadership, and which have strengths in football, basketball, or fitness."
That puzzle is what ultimately became the Local Club network.
Today, Local Clubs are much more than places where athletes practice sports. They are community anchors. They bring together coaches, teachers, volunteers, parents, athletes, and local leaders who understand the unique needs of their communities and are committed to creating consistent opportunities close to home.
"The core objective is simple," Bala said. "To have a group of motivated coaches, parents, community leaders, athletes, and youth leaders leading weekly training sessions."
As Local Clubs grew, so did the Program. What once consisted of activities with fewer than 50 participants has expanded into national athletics competitions serving more than 200 athletes.
Just as importantly, the clubs have inspired communities to take ownership. Families had watched their children become more confident, more active, and more connected. They noticed improvements in behavior, sleeping habits, eating habits, and overall wellbeing.
"They came to us and said, 'Please train us to be coaches. Tell us what to do,'" Bala recalled.
Special Olympics Albania responded by training parents to lead practices themselves. Those parents now rotate coaching responsibilities, and two new Local Clubs continue operating because families chose to carry the work forward.
"For us, that was a huge moment," Bala said. "It meant the project worked. It wasn't waiting for another grant to continue."
That experience reinforces one of the Program's biggest lessons: sustainable clubs aren't built by Special Olympics alone, they're built by communities that believe they belong.
For other Programs looking to strengthen their own Local Club model, Bala encourages patience and focus.
"Keep one goal in mind at a time," she said. "Don't try to do everything at once."
Funding remains the Program's greatest challenge, but because years were spent building relationships first, every investment can now be directed where it will have the greatest impact.
"Now, if we receive funding, we know exactly where it should go and which clubs will benefit the most," Bala said.
That intentional approach is beginning to show results. At a recent National Athletics Tournament, Bala watched more than 200 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and families confidently moving through a well-organized event.
"For the first time, I could step back and just watch," she said. "Everyone knew where they needed to be. The coaches were checking schedules. We were following the official rules. That was the moment I realized we had reached another level."
Local Clubs don't begin with buildings or budgets, they begin with relationships. They begin by understanding the community, earning trust, and giving local leaders the tools to succeed. When those pieces come together, Local Clubs become more than sports programs, they become the foundation for lasting inclusion.
