Analysis Report Published: Local Integrity Plans in Albania
We are pleased to publish the Analysis Report of Local Integrity Plans within the framework of the Performance-Based Grant scheme. Integrity Plans are increasingly important tools for strengthening transparency, accountability, and ethical standards in local government. This report provides an overview of how municipalities in Albania have developed Integrity Plans, the main risk areas addressed,
Turning Donor-Funded Innovation into a National Transparency Standard for LGUs
We are pleased to note that the Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data (IDP) has adopted the transparency template developed and promoted by Helvetas Albania as a required standard for municipal councils across Albania. Originally designed and piloted with municipalities through the Bashki të Forta Project (funded by Swiss Agency
Librazhd Sets the Pace in Performance-Based Local Governance
With Helvetas Bashki te Forta (BtF) assistance, Librazhd ranked among the first municipalities to be awarded a performance-based grant owing to its efforts in sound financial management and good local governance. This week, BtF experts met with the mayor and municipal staff to discuss our support in further improving key local services, including: ♻️ Waste
Ky trajnim organizohet në kuadër të zbatimit të Programit Model të Transparencës për Këshillat Bashkiakë, në bashkërendim me Komisionerin për të Drejtën e Informimit dhe Mbrojtjen e të Dhënave Personale, për zbatimin në praktikë i rubrikës së re të transparencës që synon të mbështesë këshillat bashkiake në: (i) monitorimin e përmbushjes së detyrimeve ligjore për transparencën; (ii) përmirësimin e praktikave të publikimit të akteve dhe vendimmarrjes; dhe (iii) forcimin e llogaridhënies ndaj qytetarëve.
Në këtë trajnim morën pjesë Sekretarët e Këshillave Bashkiake dhe Koordinatorët për të Drejtën për Informim të bashkive të Qarkut Gjirokastër (Gjirokastër, Tepelenë, Përmet, Memaliaj, Këlcyrë, Dropull, Bashkia Libohovë, Bashkia Sarandë, Bashkia Konispol, Finiq dhe Delvinë).
Qëllimi i trajnimit ishte rritja e kapaciteteve të Sekretarëve të Këshillave Bashkiake dhe Koordinatorëve për të Drejtën për Informim në bashkitë pjesëmarrëse për përdorimin korrekt, të unifikuar dhe të qëndrueshëm të Programit të Transparencës, duke siguruar një qasje të standardizuar dhe të bazuar në kuadrin ligjor në fuqi.
Women in Politics
Following local elections of 2023, 183 members of the Assembly (elected heads, deputy heads and secretaries of Alliances of Women Councilors (AWC) in 61 LGUs) have decided to reorganize their leadership structure. 25 board members based on geographical, political and social inclusion criteria have been elected. 5 women councilors have been elected as the leading body of AWC in Albania of the local mandate 2023-2027.
I would like to commend the ‘Bashki te Forta’ Project for its excellent work in improving local governance, municipal performance and for its assistance regarding the establishment of the Academy of Local Governance.
I am so happy that we have Bashki te Forta to support and assist the Municipal Council of Memaliaj in the fulfillment of our duties. I look forward to this support and assistance as most of our Municipal Councilors are new.
We have monitored the Municipal Councils’ work and performance by using their regulations, e-registers, and physical registers of complaints, requests, petitions, and citizen initiatives, made possible with the expertise and assistance of the Bashki te Forta. They are excellent instruments that have tremendously helped us in our monitoring work.
I would like to commend the Bashki te Forta Project for its tremendous work in the process of establishing the Local Governance Academy. They’ve really done an excellent work.
Benefits
‘Bashki te forta’ (Strong Municipalities) is a Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) project, implemented by Helvetas that provides assistance to all 61 municipalities of Albania. The second phase of this project will continue until September 2026. This project goal is: “Citizens in Albania benefit from improved governance and service delivery at the municipal level, according to agreed minimum and affordable standards for a sustainable country system.”
Improvement
Municipalities will be supported in improving service delivery and ameliorate their management for citizens, especially related to waste management, pre-school education, municipal performance and municipal councils.”
Participation
An increased citizen participation is a crucial element to make public administrations more accountable and efficient. The citizens’ relationship with state institutions should be close, they should articulate their needs and be active participants in decision-making. Municipal councils will play a key role in citizen participation, given that they are elected by these citizens. They hold great power over the municipality’s administration. A weak response of local administration to citizens’ concerns and complaints can be addressed by Municipal Councilors. Citizen participation through municipal councils is an official part of the policies of the Albanian state. Each of us should be able to fulfill the rights as a citizen.
Collaboration
The BtF project runs in line with the official national development strategies and policies, working together with local government units and central government agencies that seek to improve local governance.”
