Stakeholder Perceptions of Education and Justice Reform in Albania: Evidence from Institutional and Professional Actors (2025–2026)

This study examines stakeholder perceptions of education and Albania’s Justice Reform during the period 2025–2026, focusing on two separate but complementary analytical dimensions: (1) perceptions regarding the role of education in promoting civic awareness, legal culture, and ethical values, and (2) stakeholder assessments of Justice Reform, including corruption perceptions, institutional trust, judicial performance, and socio-economic implications. The study adopts a stakeholder perspective, recognizing that educational development and institutional reforms in transitional contexts are influenced by perceptions, legitimacy assessments, and the engagement of relevant social and professional actors (Carothers, 2006; Fukuyama, 2013).The research is based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 150 purposively selected stakeholders from Tirana and Durrës, including civil society representatives, non-governmental organization experts, academics, educators, judges, and lawyers. The questionnaire was organized into two main sections: (1) education, civic awareness, and legal culture, and (2) Justice Reform, corruption perceptions, institutional performance, and socio-economic implications. Stakeholders’ responses were measured using a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 = completely disagree to 5 = completely agree, reflecting the level of agreement with each statement.The collected data were analyzed through descriptive and comparative statistical methods in order to identify patterns of stakeholder perceptions regarding the two dimensions examined separately. Based on the findings, the study seeks to provide policy recommendations for strengthening education policies related to civic awareness, legal culture, and ethical values, as well as recommendations for improving Justice Reform implementation, institutional trust, transparency, and governance effectiveness in Albania.