Financial Aspects: Of the country's 61 municipalities, about 17 have made changes to the fiscal package. The estimated financial effect for the 12 municipalities observed during the pandemic period (expressed in the charts below) is 258.6 million ALL, with 77% coming as a result of changes in tariffs and 23% as a result of tax changes. It been observed that details of the forecasting method are generally missing. The highest financial facilitation is observed in Kamza, 139 million ALL, , 97 million ALL and Lezha 15 million ALL. The biggest impact from the deferral or reduction of the tax or tariff level has come from the real estate tax and the small business tax, while among the local tariffs the most affected one is that of public services. In terms of tariffs, the most substantial part of reduction has facilitated the families.

FINANCIAL EFFECTS ON LOCAL TAXES FINANCIAL EFFECTS ON LOCAL TARIFFS

Click on graphs to make larger

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE REPORT CONTENTS, CONTACT THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR

Click here DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Municipal Council Activity Transparency Other Activities

Decision-making: In the seventh week of the emergency, decision-making has Transparency: 7 municipal councils managed to Technical assistance: Bashki të Forta project continued regularly. 25 municipal councils have held online meetings and 2 of broadcast live the online meeting on the FacebookLive continues to provide technical assistance for 40 them (Gjirokastra & Gramsh) have returned to holding meetings in the hall, platform. The number of municipalities that have municipal councils through daily online training respecting social distancing. During the period of the health emergency, the provided this type of transparency during the (click here) for chairs and secretaries of municipal municipal councils, thanks to the training in the use of online platforms, have emergency goes to 10. The municipalities of Shijak, councils (70 participants). The focus of the daily been able to approve 26 Regulations for Council Functioning, bringing the Përmet, , Kolonjë, Libohovë, Tepelena and training is on "Regulation for the council total number to 50; 25 Codes of Conduct and Ethics, bringing the total number Bulqizë managed to achieve this from their Facebook functioning", "Regulation for Community to 44; 24 Regulations for Public Relations, bringing the total number to 44. Also account with the dedicated assistance of the Bashki të Consultations", "Drafting the Activities Plan of during this period, ASLSG has designed and then distributed the draft- Forta project. In total, these live broadcasts had 17,758 the Municipal Council and Budgeting". The Regulation for Petitions and draft-Regulation for Community Structures. Work views and 50+ comments during the online meetings. Agency for the Support of Local Self- has begun on their approval and today there are 3 Regulations for Petitions The live broadcast on Facebook of the meeting of the Government has addressed municipal councils to and 2 Regulations for Community Structures approved. The use of the municipal council of Bulqiza had a special value, which encourage approval of regulations. Electronic Registry for Public Notices and Consultations has started in following the discussion with the administration, . approved the performance report for 2019. All these meetings have been recorded and can be verified by the Oversight: At the request of the municipal council, it is reported on the citizens on the Facebook accounts of the respective measures taken since the declaration of pandemic to date. This reporting was municipalities or municipal councils. On the other hand, done by the mayor of Libohova, while in Tepelena the reporting was done by there are four municipal councils that post the recorded the deputy mayor. video conference meeting on their Facebook account. The municipal councils of and have Resolution on domestic violence: While the commitment of the Gender joined Mirdita and . Equality Commissions to approve the resolution on the oversight of domestic violence in the Municipal Councils (approved in 40 municipal councils 1)has continued, the executive bodies have continued to report on the measures

taken. After Kuçova and Vlora Municipalities, Kukës Municipality has handled cases by way of legal advice, housing, food, protection order, etc. The presence of violence in both rural and urban areas has been verified. The Albanian

School of Public Administration has provided a Webinar dedicated to members of gender equality commissions on aspects of law enforcement and municipal council obligations in mobilizing the mechanism of domestic violence.

1 , Poliçan, Kuçove, Cërrik, Gramsh, , Kukës, Has, , Delvine, , Selenice, Pogradec, , Maliq, , Kolonje, Lezhe, Mirdite, Kurbin, , Kruje, Shijak, , Divjakë, Lushnje, , Mallakastër, Roskovec, Gjirokastër, , Libohovë, Memaliaj, Përmet, Tepelenë, Fushe Arres, Malesi e Madhe, Kamëz, Kavajë, Rrogozhinë.

NATIONAL-REGIONAL-LOCAL GOVERNMENT COOPERATION

Compliance of anti Covid-19 protocols and rules Trilateral cooperation and Civil Society Law enforcement

Economic aspects and business: The Municipality of Pogradec and Devoll Controls for the implementation of anti-Covid-19 Implementation of Law on Civil Protection assist seasonal workers to complete the documentation after the finalization protocols: Mobilization and cooperation of employees The Association for Local Autonomy (in of the - agreement. of the Ministry of Defense, the National Agency of cooperation with the Albanian Association of Protected Areas, Public Services of the Municipality of Municipalities) started in March a consultation Krujë, Shijak, Fier, Patos, Lushnje, Rokovec have published on Web pages and Kruja and firefighters to extinguish the fire on the tour with the country's municipalities on the Facebook accounts, lists of businesses that can continue their activity. mountain of Kruja which caused great losses in trees implementation of the new law on civil Municipalities provide instructions for obtaining permits on e-Albania and planted by the Municipality. protection. The first findings from the meetings control by the inter-institutional task force and the municipal police for the in the participating municipalities (Cërrik, , implementation of measures. Kamëz, Vora, Kavaja, Rrogozhinë, Durrës, Shijak, Krujë , , Peqin, Lezhë, Ura Vajgurore, Publication of the measures that businesses should implement in green areas Kucovë, Skrapar, Polican, Gjirokastër, Libohovë, after the opening of their activity. Tepelena, Memaliaj , Dropull, Devoll, Korcë, Maliq, Pustec, Kolonjë, Pogradec, Gramsh, Control on the execution of the anti Covid-19 protocols: The Municipal Përrenjas, , Përmet and Këlcyra) have Police has carried out controls regarding the taxi service which has started resulted in 1) the need to improve the conducting the activity. The municipal police has carried out monitoring effectiveness of the law by supplementing it with regarding the parking lots of these vehicles, as well as the implementation of sub-legal aspects, updating local plans, the need the security protocol according to the normative acts of the Albanian for strategic documents and for risk assessment government. for municipalities, as well as strengthening the capacity of local staff; 2) a more detailed The State Police, the Directorate of Economic Crime, the Directorate of the clarification regarding the division of powers as Health Care Unit, the Municipal Police are in constant control for the apparel there is an overlapping between local and central and footwear companies and for the families affected by COVID 19 to stay institutions, on the role of the agency, as well as closed. (Krujë) clarification of the role of local structures; 3) the need for structural organization of civil protection within municipalities and how it can be further strengthened, weak financial and technical resources of the municipal structure to address the needs of the population, the importance of local social structures for recovery after disasters and trauma. The association is expected to intensify its work during May, concluding with special recommendations for the government based on successive experiences with emergencies such as the earthquake and COVID 19 (but also others such as fires, floods, etc.).

PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL FUNCTIONS

Tourism and public services Psychosocial assistance Assistance to farmers

Tourism: The municipalities are preparing for the tourist season, in the Psycho-social assistance: In second part of the Assistance to farmers: Municipalities are municipalities with coastal and lake tourism, adapting to the draft-protocol lockdown period municipalities began to offer continuing to clean the irrigation and drainage that the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Health are considering in case psychosocial assistance to citizen. In the past two weeks canals according to the planned schedule. In of allowing this economic activity. In the case of the municipality of Lezha there there is a shift towards psychosocial service towards addition to these activities, there is a tendency to is an internal plan of measures for the resumption of tourist activity, and also children of the 3-6 age bracket. The municipalities of open weekly markets for farmers (Kolonjë). preparations for taking measures to repair sidewalks, eliminate holes, fix public Përmet and Fier have chosen the “group” approach: in lighting in the area of Shengjin, Kuna and Rana e Hedhun are being made. the municipality of Përmet, children ask questions to psychologists mediated by parents and the While in Pogradec, various options are being developed for the development psychologists respond through audio materials, of the beach (on the shore or by boat) in the implementation of social advising children and parents on how to overcome this distancing. period. While in the municipality of Fier, psychologists in collaboration with kindergarten teachers have Also, following the plan for promoting domestic tourism, promotional activity compiled stories/tales with subjects that deal with is observed through videos on the main attractions. While in municipalities that probable psycho-emotional consequences caused by have museum tourism, virtual tours are being promoted to encourage visitors Covid-19 emergency situation. In the municipality of in case movement in these tourist areas is allowed. Vlora, despite the limited number of psychologists at the local department level, it became possible to have a counseling session between the Municipality and LOPUE to find alternative ways to provide the service [Grab your reader’s attention with a great quote from the through the engagement of volunteers. The document or use this space to emphasize a key point. To place kindergarten teacher-centered approach to enabling this text box anywhere on the page, just drag it.] emotional relief of children and mediating psychological assistance has been advised and promoted by well-known pediatricians (a video has

been distributed to parents and kindergarten teachers) Social Distance: to clarify the role of the kindergarten teacher. Although The Municipal Police in Durrës has carried out controls regarding the taxi in conditions of partial transfer of the function of the service which has started conducting the activity. Monitoring was also carried psychologist, the municipalities have coordinated the out regarding the parking lots of these vehicles, as well as the implementation work with other actors (including the Order of the of the security protocol according to the normative acts of the Albanian Psychologist) to enable it. A video instructing parents on government. how to access the service has been distributed thanks

to the collaboration between 26 municipalities and BtF. Out of these 26 municipalities, 21 municipalities2 have signed an agreement with LOPUE to enable this service,

2 Kukësi, Hasi, Tropoja, Lezhë, Mirditë, Kuçovë, Përmet, Himarë, Vlorë, Selenicë, Korçë, Pogradec, Devoll, Maliq, Pustec, Kolonjë, Durrës Vau i Dejës, Malësie e Madhe, Pukë, Fushë Arrëz, Mallakastër, Roskovec

while 5 municipalities have signed an internal order for kindergarten teachers (Shkodra, , Skrapar, Ura Vajgurore, Shijak). The Municipality of Patos in cooperation with UNDP have undertaken an initiative to raise awareness about domestic violence by creating an online competition. Through the competition, messages are addressed on how to contribute to healthy and non-violent families, in the situation in which the citizens find themselves.