The KLGI Institute held meetings at three institutions of the Republic of Albania

As part of a three-day modular training, the KLGI Institute held separate meetings at institutions of the Republic of Albania in order to learn about the reform process, the decentralisation process, territorial reorganisation and the model of training in the field of public administration.

Taking part in the modular training are officials from the municipalities of the Republic of Kosovo and the working group on the Law on the Functioning of Public Administration and the Law on the Service, who have been supported by the KLGI Institute to gain advanced practices and models in these fields.

This study visit was a good opportunity for the participants to visit and see at first hand the work and commitments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government, the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA), as well as the Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Public Services (ADISA).

During the meeting and discussion with the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Albania, Romina Kuko, and the Director of the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government, Bekim Murati, the participants learned about the steps and significant progress the Republic of Albania has made in territorial reorganisation and the standardisation of services.

The meeting discussed the reform and decentralisation process, a process that has resulted in a reduction in the number of municipal units (from 373 to 61) and an improvement in the quality of services. The reform process in local government has been effective and had a positive impact as the result of a consultative and highly inclusive process with the relevant actors, institutional actors, civil society, donors and citizens. On this occasion, Director Tahiri and Deputy Minister Kuko agreed to expand cooperation for the exchange of practices between the two countries, and also agreed to organise a joint meeting in the Republic of Kosovo.

Meanwhile, at the meeting with the Director of ASPA, Mr Fatmir Demneri, the participants were given a presentation on the courses and training this school offers to build the capacity and performance of officials and civil servants. On this occasion, he presented to the participants ASPA's vision and commitment regarding the reform process, the steps taken towards raising the standards of public service delivery, and the efforts to strengthen the capacity of the administration in drafting and implementing public policies.

Director Tahiri and Director Demneri agreed to deepen cooperation between the KLGI Institute and ASPA with the aim of adapting new educational programmes based on European models, such as the European School for Leadership.

Participants in the modular programme also had the opportunity to visit the ADISA integrated services centre/counters, a centre that provides documents requested by citizens while reducing the cost and time needed to obtain these services. ADISA was described as one of the good innovative models for modernising and improving the delivery of services to citizens.

The KLGI Institute continues to contribute to the reform process and the implementation of decentralisation in the Republic of Kosovo. This is being done by providing expertise, advanced programmes and study visits in the region.

“This grant has been funded by the Democratic Society Promotion (DSP) project – funded by the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo (SCO-K) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) and managed by the Kosovar Civil Society Foundation (KCSF)”.