Down Syndrome Albania Foundation & PRO PAK Service Center

What Down Syndrome Albania Foundation & PRO PAK Service Center does

The Down Syndrome Albania Foundation (Fondacioni Down Syndrome Albania, "DSA") is a Tirana-based, non-governmental non-profit founded in 2013 by parent-advocate Emanuela Pepkola Zaimi, operating with 18 employees and a five-person core management team. It serves individuals with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities in Albania — a market where approximately 6.5% of the population over age 5 lives with some form of disability (~144,000 registered persons) and where DSA has identified 682 individuals with Down syndrome nationally. The foundation runs the PRO PAK Service Center (Qendra e Shërbimeve PRO PAK), its core operating subsidiary, which delivers multidisciplinary clinical therapies including physical therapy, psychomotorics, hydrotherapy, speech and language therapy (logopedics), developmental and occupational therapy, ABA therapy, the Floortime method, art and music therapy, group therapy, kindergarten and school inclusion support, and early intervention delivered in the home environment. Beneficiaries are primarily economically disadvantaged children, with PRO PAK serving approximately 33 children monthly and the foundation's broader programming reaching roughly 70 children with disabilities annually, supported by a network of 100+ parents.

DSA funds its operations almost entirely through diversified donation streams rather than government contracts or user fees: monthly corporate donors (IDS, QTU, Produkte.al, Essegei generating ~18,400 EUR in 2024), annual fundraising campaigns (Gala Charity dinner ~14,689 EUR net; Lots of Socks ~5,000 EUR net; end-of-year greeting cards 16,000-20,000 EUR net; Tirana Marathon 27,000 EUR net; donation boxes ~1,700 EUR), and project-based grants from international donors including OSCE, Save the Children, Open Society Foundation, US Embassy, National Lottery, UNDP, and the EU. Strategic partnerships include international advocacy memberships (Down Syndrome International, European Down Syndrome Association), peer knowledge-exchange pacts with Down Syndrome Turkey, Italy, and Kosove, and operational alliances with World Vision Albania, EASPD, and corporate partners such as Credins Bank, Cardo AI, and PwC Albania. The foundation is expanding capacity in 2024-2025 through relocation to new premises and co-development of propune.al, described as Albania's first employment platform for people with disabilities, in partnership with Cardo AI.

The corporate business model is effectively a hybrid community-led, event-driven fundraising engine wrapped around a small clinical delivery unit: services are provided largely free of charge to families unable to pay, so all revenue is donation-driven and project-grant-driven. Geographic footprint is nationally oriented (advocacy) but operationally concentrated in Tirana, with limited project-based outreach to Shijak, Shkoder, Korce, Vlore, and Berat.

Name

Down Syndrome Albania Foundation & PRO PAK Service Center

Legal name

Fondacioni Down Syndrome Albania

Website

https://dsalbania.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Down Syndrome Albania Foundation operates the PRO PAK Service Center in Tirana, delivering free multidisciplinary therapeutic, educational, and family-support services to children with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities in Albania, funded primarily through recurring corporate donations, annual fundraising campaigns, and project grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Therapy and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Down Syndrome & Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Childcare (HSAAAIAC), Special Education Staffing & Contracted Providers (Paras, Therapists, Specialists) (EDAJAKAL)

Keywords

• Disability therapy services
• Early intervention programs
• Inclusive education support
• Parent counseling services
• Therapeutic rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tirane

HQ country

Albania

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, monthly donors (IDS, QTU, Produkte.al, Essegei totaling 18,400 EUR in 2024), and one-time donations. Direct online donations through website.
2. Campaign Fundraising: Annual campaigns including Gala dinners (raised 14,689 EUR net in 2024), Lots of Socks campaign (approximately 5,000 EUR net annually), end-of-year cards (16,000-20,000 EUR net annually), and marathon sponsorship (27,000 EUR net).
3. International Donor Grants: Project-based funding from international organizations including OSCE, Save the Children, Open Society Foundation, US Embassy, National Lottery, UNDP, European Union. Organizations depend almost entirely on international donors for service provision.
4. Service Revenue: Therapeutic services provided to approximately 70 children with disabilities monthly, primarily serving families unable to afford private services. Services include physical therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Down Syndrome Albania Foundation operates the PRO PAK Service Center, providing multidisciplinary therapeutic services for children and individuals with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome. Services include physical therapy, speech and language therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, Floortime method, art and music therapy, group therapy, early intervention in family environments, and inclusive education support in kindergartens and schools. The foundation also runs parent support programs and annual fundraising campaigns (Lots of Socks, Year-End Cards, Gala dinners) to sustain operations.

Product overview

Down Syndrome Albania Foundation operates through its PRO PAK Service Center, a therapeutic services center providing comprehensive support for children and individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. The center offers multidisciplinary assessments and therapeutic services including physical therapy, speech and language therapy, ABA therapy, developmental and occupational therapy, Floortime method, art and music therapy, and group therapy. Additional services include early intervention in natural family environments, school/kindergarten support, educational courses (dance, autonomy, language, mathematics), and parent support programs. The foundation also conducts fundraising campaigns including the 'Lots of Socks' campaign for World Down Syndrome Day and year-end greeting cards, with all proceeds supporting therapeutic services for approximately 70 children with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PRO PAK Service Center (Qendra e Shërbimeve PRO PAK) Therapeutic services center providing comprehensive multidisciplinary support for children and individuals with intellectual disabilities including physical therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, and early intervention programs in Tirana, Albania.
• Multidisciplinary Team Assessments Comprehensive assessment service conducted by a multidisciplinary team including child psychiatrist, neurologist, clinical psychologist, speech therapist, physiotherapist, and ABA therapy technician to determine therapeutic needs of children with disabilities.
• Physical Therapy, Psychomotorics and Hydrotherapy Physical therapy services including psychomotorics and hydrotherapy for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Speech and Language Therapy (Logopedics) Speech and language therapy services for children and individuals with speech and communication difficulties, delivered by trained logopedists.
• Developmental and Occupational Therapy Developmental and occupational therapy services to support children's overall development, functional skills, and independence in daily activities.
• ABA Therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) Applied Behavior Analysis therapy services provided by trained ABA technicians for children with developmental disabilities and autism spectrum conditions.
• Early Intervention Service in Natural Family Environment Early therapeutic intervention service provided in the natural family environment for young children with developmental needs, supporting families in their home setting.
• Kindergarten/School Support Service Support service for children with disabilities in kindergarten and school settings, including a network of professionals providing inclusive education assistance and teacher training.
• Parent Support Services Comprehensive parent support including information for parents expecting a child with Down syndrome, new parent assistance, parent support groups, individual psychological counseling, and group therapy sessions for parents.
• Lots of Socks Campaign (Çorapet Shumëngjyrëshe) Annual awareness and fundraising campaign for World Down Syndrome Day on March 21, featuring colorful socks as a symbol sold through retail partners, with proceeds funding therapeutic services. Generates approximately 5,000 EUR net annually.
• Year-End Greeting Cards Customizable greeting cards designed by children at the PRO PAK center, sold to businesses, embassies, and NGOs for corporate end-of-year greetings, with logo personalization. Generates 16,000-20,000 EUR net annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• 682 individuals with Down syndrome identified and supported in Albania
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Special Olympics AlbaniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2024Partner in disability advocacy; Roland Hysi recognized for contribution at Gala 2024.
• MEDPAK AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2024Disability rights advocacy association; collaborated in 2016 Parental Conference.
• Bashkia ShijakminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022EU-funded project on integrated social services for children and youth with disabilities, implemented June 2022-September 2024.
• Shoqata Ndihmoni JetënminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2022Partner in EU-funded project with Bashkia Shijak for integrated social services.
• EASPD (European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2019Organizing 6-day training on inclusive education with European trainers from Belgium, Greece, Spain, Netherlands. Partnership with World Vision Albania.
• World Vision AlbaniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2019Co-organizer of inclusive education training program with EASPD. Multiple collaborative projects.
• Down Syndrome TurkeyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013International strategic partnership for knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Down Syndrome ItalyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013International strategic partnership for knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Down Syndrome KosoveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013International strategic partnership for knowledge sharing and best practices.
• Down Syndrome InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013International membership organization; provides global advocacy, resources, and World Down Syndrome Day campaigns.
• European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013European membership organization for advocacy and best practice sharing.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• European Down Syndrome Association (EDSA): Umbrella federation for Down syndrome associations across Europe. Comparable as a larger, pan-European body of which DSA is a member; EDSA sets standards and coordinates advocacy that member organizations like DSA implement locally.
• Down's Syndrome Association (UK): UK national Down syndrome charity providing information, support, and advocacy since 1970. Comparable as a more established national DS organization offering a similar mix of family support, professional resources, and policy advocacy.
• Down Syndrome International: Global Down syndrome federation running World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) and the Lots of Socks campaign that DSA adopts locally. Comparable as the global parent body that defines the awareness and advocacy calendar DSA follows.
• National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS): Largest U.S. Down syndrome advocacy and programmatic organization. Comparable as a more mature, scaled version of DSA offering programs across the lifespan; useful benchmark for organizational evolution.

Direct peers

• Down Syndrome Kosove: Kosovo-based Down syndrome advocacy organization. Highly comparable as a regional peer in the Western Balkans delivering Down syndrome services, advocacy, and family support; identified by DSA as a strategic partnership.
• Down Syndrome Italy (CoorDown): Italian national Down syndrome federation coordinating local associations and advocacy. Directly comparable as a peer national DS organization; DSA cites Down Syndrome Italy as an international strategic partnership.
• Down Syndrome Turkey: National Down syndrome advocacy and support organization in Turkey. Directly comparable as a country-level Down syndrome NGO; DSA lists Down Syndrome Turkey as a strategic partnership for knowledge sharing and best practices.

Others

• European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD): European network of disability service providers. Comparable as an ecosystem partner that DSA worked with to deliver 6-day inclusive education training in Albania (with World Vision Albania).

Regional players

• Shoqata Ndihmoni Jetën (Help the Life Association): Albanian non-profit delivering social and health services to vulnerable populations including persons with disabilities. Directly comparable as a domestic peer non-profit; DSA partnered with this organization on the EU-funded Bashkia Shijak integrated social services project (2022-2024).

Emerging players

• Special Olympics Albania: Albanian chapter of Special Olympics providing sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities. Comparable as a fellow Albanian disability NGO operating in the same beneficiary population; recognized as a peer advocacy partner by DSA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/downs_albania
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcBCHDXmSK1fXskXA-I742A
• Facebookfacebook.com/DownSyndromeAlbania
• Instagraminstagram.com/down_syndrome_albania
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/down-syndrome-albania-foundation-pro-pak-service-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Down Syndrome Albania Foundation & PRO PAK Service Center