Completing a Decade-Long Effort to Build Local Government Capacity

The First Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Training Academy for Local Government Units (TALGA)

On December 10^th  was hold the first official meeting of the Steering Committee of TALGA, held, gathered representatives of central and local institutions to define the initial steps for the Academy’s functioning, an historic moment and an extremely important initiative aimed at increasing capacities and strengthening the administration of local self-government units (LSGUs) in Albania, in support of advancing good and democratic governance and delivering high-quality local public services.

TALGA comes at a crucial moment for LSGUs. Albania is currently undergoing an accelerated phase of the European integration process, a process that demands strong engagement from LSGUs in fulfilling their obligations within the accession framework. This process will allow LSGUs to benefit from the European Union’s programs and projects. In this context, the quality of the capacities of LSGUs’ administration —and the role of TALGA in ensuring their sustainable development—takes on fundamental importance.

The Steering Committee meeting was chaired by the Minister of State for Local Government, and was attended by representatives of LSGUs; the municipalities of Durrës and Kavajë; Tirana Region; associations of LSGUs; the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (ASLG); the University of Tirana, other government agencies, as well as representatives from the “Strong Municipalities” HELVETAS project.

The meeting followed the TALGA Founding Assembly, held on 31^st of October 2025, which approved the establishment of the Academy and its statute.

The meeting of the Steering Committee emphasized that this day marks a significant step in consolidating TALGA—a project born from the needs of local government units themselves and made possible through close cooperation between the central government and LSGUs, as well as support from international partners, particularly the Governments of Switzerland and Sweden, through the project implemented by HELVETAS. In the meantime, TALGA has attracted the interest of additional development actors, such as the Dutch, who have complemented the leading Swiss and Swedish support, with extra resources.

The work accomplished so far by the inter-institutional working group and the experts who contributed to the design and establishment of the Academy was highly appreciated. It was considered a major achievement that 60 municipalities, through decisions of their municipal councils, have already approved joining TALGA, and it is expected that the final municipality will soon also join the initiative. Meanwhile, the central government and LSGUs have undertaken financial commitments to support the operation and training activities of TALGA.

During the meeting, a series of important documents were approved, including the rules of procedure of the Steering Committee, the organizational structure and the reference salary levels for TALGA employees, as well as other operational documents necessary for the work of the Steering Committee.

Another item on the agenda was the discussion on preparations for the inaugural event of TALGA, which will be held on December 19th, a historic milestone event for LGUs that marks the official launch of the Academy. This event will crown several years of effort toward establishing the Academy as a national institution that will contribute to the continuous, professional and based-on-practice development of LSGU administrations. As such TALGA will act as a coordinating hub for public agencies and development partners, in particular, for the implementation of the Strategy on Decentralization and Local Governance and the Public Administration Reform Strategy.

TALGA has attracted the interest of additional development actors, such as the Dutch, who have complemented the leading Swiss and Swedish support with extra resources. Acting as a coordinating hub for development partners, TALGA contributes significantly to public administration reform.