The KLGI Institute takes part in the national conference assessing decentralisation in Albania

At the national conference on the decentralisation process in Albania, the reforms were assessed and recommendations were made for the joint engagement of stakeholders.

At the invitation of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Ms Sonila Mesi, representatives of the KLGI Institute took part in the national conference entitled “Albania, decentralisation in progress”. The conference was organised by the Prime Minister's Office in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Finance, with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Albania.

Participants in this conference were representatives of the central level, municipalities, donors and experts in the field of local governance. Opening the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Mesi presented the achievements and joint commitments with partners in the reforms undertaken to strengthen local governance. The Swiss ambassador also spoke about joint commitments in support of this field.

On behalf of the responsible ministry, the Deputy Minister of Interior, Ms Romina Kuko, spoke, expressing full willingness to continue pursuing the reforms and, furthermore, speaking of a new phase of modernisation and further democratisation. Ms Kuko also mentioned the experiences from the region drawn out at the conference on the 10th anniversary of decentralisation organised by the KLGI Institute.

The conference then continued its work in two separate panels: the first on “The decentralisation strategy – what are the next steps?” and the second on “Local finance: progress and future prospects”.

The report on the assessment of decentralisation in Albania was also presented at this event, with an emphasis on the three years since the administrative-territorial reform. Moreover, this conference was a good opportunity to discuss common challenges in the field of local governance and to strengthen cooperation with the aim of exchanging good practices.