Ongoing Projects

1. European Union for Good Governance (EU 4 Good Governance)

The specific objective of the “EU for Good Governance” project is “to improve public administration to make it more efficient, accountable, transparent, comprehensive and effective at the national and local level”. The project consists of four components, where the third component is dedicated to good governance in local government in Albania and has as a partner the Minister of State for Local Government and the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (AMVV).

Component 3:Support for Local Self-Government

I. The EU project

The project financed by the European Union for Good Governance (EU4GG) focuses on the following priorities to strengthen the role of municipalities in the process of Albania’s integration into the EU:

• Increasing the capacities of municipalities to take on and perform the key role assigned to them within the EU integration and membership process.
• Support for municipalities to implement their powers provided by the Intersectoral Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance 2023 – 2030.
• Creation of mechanisms that facilitate the dialogue between municipalities and their communities defined in the Law.
• Creation of mechanisms for strengthening cooperation between municipalities.
• Empowering municipalities and CSOs to identify and design projects aimed at increasing the well-being of citizens.
• Increasing dialogue between municipalities and central institutions.

II. Contributors and beneficiaries

The project financed by the European Union for Good Governance (EU4GG) works in cooperation with the Minister of State for Local Government and the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (AMVV). Beneficiaries of the project are six pilot municipalities, namely Shkodër, Berat, Pogradec, Pukë, Përmet and Divjakë, as well as civil society.

2. Strong Municipalities

Objectives of the Project

The second phase of the Strong Municipalities project will continue to strengthen municipal councils and improve waste management and pre-school education services. The project will support system actors to agree on affordable minimum standards for service delivery and good governance. The project will intensify its performance interventions by setting up a country-wide performance management system, which will be complemented by a performance-based grant scheme in the second part of the project period. It is an important element of the approach that the interventions will be co-designed with organizations that have a systemic role in local governance in Albania, so that they take full ownership of the interventions in time. Relevant system actors will be supported to design policies and provide knowledge to municipalities. BtF’s support will extend to all 61 municipalities in Albania.

Result 1:Municipal administrations improve the provision of services (waste management and preschool education) towards more appropriate and affordable standards.

Result 2:Municipal councils properly oversee the performance of municipal administration and engage in data-based decision-making.

Result 3:There is a new municipal performance management system and a performance-based grant mechanism.

Project Components:

• Waste management.
• Preschool education.
• Performance of municipalities.
• Capacity building and strengthening.

3. OSCE project

Objectives of the Project

The OSCE presence in Albania offers one-year programs based on the government’s priorities. During the reporting period, as well as for the year 2024, the project is implementing the Natural Capital of Municipalities program, which aims to disseminate knowledge for the development of Natural Capital Assessment of municipalities as well as strengthening technical capacities at the local level.

Project components:

• Support for the preparation of a manual for self-use and implementation of the Natural Capital Methodology at the local level.
• Training of local technical specialists for the implementation of natural capital assessment according to the Methodology.
• Support for the Association for Local Autonomy to share and expand good practices on Natural Capital at the local level.

4. Support for Public Administration Reform at Local Level in Albania Project (Support for Public Administration Reform at Local Level in Albania Project)

Objectives of the Project

Developing the capacities of Local Government Units (LGUs) for an effective and uniform management of human resources, in accordance with national legislation and standards. Strengthening the institutional framework for the training and development of public servants and local elected officials. Strengthening good democratic governance at the local level through the exchange of experiences and coordination between municipalities and the participation of citizens in democratic processes.

Project Components:

• Leadership Academy Program.
• Functionality of the administrata.al platform.
• Capacity building.
• Civic participation and democratic accountability at the local level.

5. Municipalities for Europe project

Objectives of the Project

• Completion of the process of creating Integration Units, as an integral part of the organizational structure of the Municipalities.
• Review of the procedures for the operation and daily work of the European Integration Units.
• Support of Integration Units, for the improvement of the reporting system.
• Strengthening the capacities of the staff of the European Integration Units, for informing colleagues on EU policies and the negotiation process.
• Study visits and seminars organized by Municipalities for Europe, as well as through cooperation with the TAIEX program.

Project Components:

• Raising the capacities of municipalities.
• The performance of municipalities in the process of European integration.
• Information and access to EU funds.
• Training.
• Communication and dissemination of information.