Municipalities in the EU Integration Process of Albania

2 2018 Assessment Report ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

- The 2nd Report highlights the importance of the role of the local government in the integration process of Albania into the European Union, related to the compliance with the accession commitments and 2018 criteria.

- The Report is prepared by the “Municipalites for Europe” Project team and the expert, Mrs. Albana Dhimitri who prepared the chapter with recommendations.

- The European Integration Units in each municipality coordinated the internal management of data collection, while the Agency for the Support of Self-Government coordinated the collection of data from 61 municipalities.

DISCLAIMER

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the authors and don’t necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

2018 Assessment Report 3 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Foreward...... 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 7 1.INTRODUCTION...... 19 2.POLITICAL CRITERIA...... 21 2.1.Democracy...... 21 2.1.1.Governance...... 21 2.1.2.The Ombudsman...... 38 2.1.3.Civil Society...... 40 2.2.Rule of Law...... 45 2.2.1.Fight against corruption...... 45 2.3.Human Rights and Protection of the Minorities...... 53 3.ECONOMIC CRITERIA...... 59 3.1.Existence of a functional market economy...... 59 4.ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS...... 63 4.1.Chapter 11: Agriculture and Rural Development...... 63 4.2.Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies...... 70 4.3.Chapter 14: Transport Policy...... 72 4.4.Chapter 15: Energy...... 79 4.5.Chapter 16: Taxes...... 82 4.6.Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment...... 85 4.7.Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights...... 95 4.8.Chapter 22: Regional Policies...... 111 ChapterChapter 24: Justice, freedom and security 23: Justice, freedom and security 4.9.Chapter 24: Justice, freedom and security ...... 113 4.10.Chapter 26: Education and Culture...... 115 4.11.Chapter 27: Environment and climate change...... 122 4.12.Chapter 32: Financial Control...... 136 5.RECOMMENDATIONS...... 139

4 ABBREVIATIONS

ABBREVIATIONS

ADISA Agency for the Delivery of Integrated Services in Albania AAM Association of Albanian Municipalities ALA Association of Local Autonomy AP Action Plan AR Annual Report ASPA Albanian School of Public Administration ASLG Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government AU Administrative Unit EU European Union ISSAC Inter-sectoral Strategy against Corruption 2015-2020 DoPA Department of Public Administration CC Community Council CoM Council of Ministers CPARS Crosscutting Public Administration Reform Strategy 2015-2020 SIPD Social Inclusion Political Document 2016-2020 HIDAACI High Inspectorate of Declaration and Control of Assets and Conflict of Interest CSO Civil Society Organizations PWD Person with Disability PFM Public Finance Management GLP General Local Plan LGU Local Government Unit LPIRE Local Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian minorities MoI Ministry of Interior MoIE Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy MoTE Ministry of Tourism and Environment MTBP Medium Term Budget Program NAPPWD National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities NCCSDLG National Crosscutting Strategy for Decentralization and Local Governance 2015-2020 NSESD National Strategy for Employment and Skills Development 2016-2020 IOSSH Integrated One-Stop-Shop QAS Quality Assurance System RDA Rural Development Agency REO Regional Employment Office SAA Stabilization and Association Agreement SWM Solid Waste Management TAR Territorial Administrative Reform PUEDS Pre-University Education Development Strategy 2014-2020 WG Working Group

2018 Assessment Report 5 Foreword

Foreword Message from Minister of Interior, Mr. Sandër LLESHAJ

his is a very important moment in ing the standards, as required by the Albania’s history, as the European Stabilization and Association Agreement. TCommission, for the second con- secutive year, has recommended to EU The findings of the report show that for member states to open negotiations with the most part, local government bodies Albania. Although this journey seems to are adapting very well to the overall be full of challenges, it should impose “machinery” of the integration process. a deeper reflection on us, and above The establishment and functioning of the all, a higher commitment to fulfill the European Integration Units in each mu- obligations arising from this process. nicipality, the dedicated efforts in implementing the standards set by the European Not only the central government, but integration agenda, a closer cooperation also the local government units, have between central structures and the newly much to contribute to the country’s path created units, as well as their consolida- towards the EU. Together we have tion in providing relevant information and the responsibility and obligation to services to their respective communities, build a combined effort, to make the are major challenges to be met, but at dream of Albanian citizens come true. the same time they provide guarantees for an even greater success in the future. As the EU Enlargement Policy Com- munication 2019 clearly states, the This evaluation report, supported by right balance between central and European Union assistance, will now be local government, which enables the an annual exercise, under the coordina- implementation of reforms, is the only tion of the Ministry of the Interior and its guarantee of Albania’s successful in- structures, with the aim of building sus- tegration into the European Union tainable capacities in the public admin- structures. Therefore, without an ac- istration, thereby ensuring the capability tive engagement of local govern- of the relevant Government structures, to ment structures in the implementation successfully lead and coordinate Europe- of these policies, the EU legislation, an integration processes at a local level. as well as the overall European Inte- gration agenda, little can be done to I am sure that with hard work, a fuller further the progress of integration. commitment, as well as more determination, we will all succeed in fulfilling the as- The “Municipalities in the EU Integration piration of the vast majority of Albanians. Process of Albania” Assessment Report, is a good representation of the progress made so far by the local government, as Sandër LLESHAJ well as the challenges they face in meet- Minister of Interior

6 2018 Assessment Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

he role of local government in the Strengthening of public administration, implementation of policies, imple- establishing the dialogue with citizens Tmentation of Acquis Communitaire through open and participative poli- and overall European integration agency-making processes, and enhancing da is very important. The European Com- government’s capacity to choose the most mission highlights again this role in the appropriate policies among various op- 2019 Communication on EU Enlargement tions are all substantial in terms of con- Policy “The role of regional and local au- necting governments with their citizens thorities in the EU alignment process and and foster more inclusive and sustainable eventual application of EU rules needs to growth. be taken into account. An appropriate balance between central, regional and local This is the second annual edition of report government needs to be found that best Municipalities in the EU Integration Process supports the implementation of reforms of Albania. The report aims to present and the delivery of services to citizens”1. the progress made by Albanian municipalities during 2018 in regard to the ful- EU integration is challenging and requires fillment of the responsibilities as defined many central and local administration ef- by the existing strategic and legal frame- forts. The Government of Albania is mov- work and in regard to the alignment with ing towards an open government to im- the accession criteria and EU standards. prove national policies, the transparency and the quality of public services through This report is organized based on the the development of ICT systems and one- structure of the National Plan for Euro- stop shops. pean Integration 2017-2020 and the European Commission Report on Albania. The main findings of the report are sum- marized below.

1 European Commission “Communication From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions 2019 Communication On Eu Enlargement Policy “29.5.2019 COM(2019) 260 final, Pg 7.

2018 Assessment Report 7 8 2018 Assessment Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

of staff for participation in the training (on POLITICAL CRITERIA average 1.9% of the municipality budget), while 48% of municipalities reported that they didn’t allocate any budget for training in 2018. The adoption by the Government of the De- cision of the Council of Ministers Nr.450, dated 26.07.2018 “On the establishment of the European Integration and Foreign Assistance Coordination Units” marked an important achievement during 2018. The Decision of the Council of Ministers has institutionalized Democracy the so-called EU Desks established in 61 municipalities. In 2018, the functioning and role of the Consul- tative Council, as an effective mechanism of dia- Progress has been made toward fulfilling the logue between local and central government has obligation for open governance, accountability substantially improved, as well as transparency, and e-governance at the local level. The gov- information for LGUs and involvement of local ernment program for e-services at the local self-government associations. The participation level continues. Progress has been made to- of the Central Government and Local Govern- wards the establishment of Integrated One- ment representatives has increased, while the role Stop-Shop (iOSSH). 49% of the municipali- of the CC on the consultation and approving of ties established the iOSSH, which means 20 the legal acts affecting the local government has municipalities more than in 2017. On aver- been very important. age, 50 administrative services are provided Although continued efforts are being made to through iOSSH. The program to set up the strengthen capacities of local administration, one-stop-shop in all other municipalities is human resource management and financial sus- planned to be completed in 2019, while fur- tainability of training remain a challenge. The ther efforts should be made to increase the training system of the local administration is number of the administrative services provid- improved through a curriculum review process ed through iOSSH and to increase the ter- (91 curricula revised in 2017-2018) based ritorial coverage including all administrative on quality assurance system, improvement of units and remote areas. the certification procedures, setting up the Addressing citizens’ request of information e-library and the electronic platform E-PAV or complaints, as part of strengthening the for human resource management. In 2018, accountability of the local government has 764 local public officials were trained on the improved, however, further efforts need to Civil Service Law, and about 1,008 local of- be made to ensure citizens’ requests are ad- ficials were trained in the different themat- dressed properly. The information provided ic areas by ASPA. The average number of by the municipalities shows that municipali- local officials increased from 14 persons / ties are paying attention to address citizens’ municipality to 18 persons in 2018. 169 per- requests and complaints. About 82% of the sons or an average of 3 persons / munici- citizens received answers to their request and pality attended the training on the Code of complaints from the administrative services of Administrative Procedures, whereas 28% of their municipality in 2018. This indicates an the municipalities didn’t receive training. The increased ratio compared to 2017 (75%). allocation of the local budget for training re- Fifteen (15) municipalities have provided remains very low. Only 52% of municipalities sponses to all (100%) citizens’ requests/com- have allocated some funds to cover the cost

2018 Assessment Report 9 POLITICAL CRITERIA

plains. However, there is no local government tions. During 2018, only 1 report with rec- performance management system in place to ommendations has remained under review allow for a more qualitative assessment of process (On average, 10 out of 11 recom- the municipalities’ responsiveness towards cit- mendations were reviewed by the municipal- izens. ity services). About 62% of the municipalities didn’t receive any recommendations from the Good progress has been made towards in- Ombudsman. creasing transparency of the local government, however, citizens’ participation in de- Consolidation of the civil society at the local level cision making and cooperation with CSOs remains a challenge. About 46% (less than half) remains at a low level. In 2018, about 92% of the municipalities have confirmed cooper- of Albanian Municipalities have drafted ation with CSOs in various local issues, mostly their local budget based on the participa- in terms of drafting and reviewing policies at tory approach. The budgets are published the local level and in terms of the process of on the municipalities’ website and on the drafting the budget/and MTBP. This percent- Ministry of Finance and Economy dedicat- age confirms also the fact that CSOs are not ed website: www.financatvendore.al. On established across Albania. In particular, small average, 908 citizens have participated in municipalities lack the presence of civil society public meetings/or public hearings during organizations. Out of 252 recommendations the preparatory process of the local bud- provided by CSOs in 2018, 204 recommenda- get. The average is 8 public meetings tions (or 93%) were taken into consideration by held per municipality. The municipalities the municipal councils and local administration of Gramsh, Librazhd, and Devoll have re- during the review process. There is a need to ported a larger number of organized pub- develop a system to record the recommenda- lic meetings (over 25 meetings) while the tions provided by the CSOs on different deci- municipalities of Dropull and Rrogozhina sion-making processes as well as the number of have reported that no meetings or public them taken into consideration. Financial capacities hearings took place in 2018 during the of municipalities to support CSOs activities in their budget preparation process. About 79% administrative areas remain very limited. Only of the municipalities report that they have 18 municipalities were able to provide grants in reflected the strategic objectives set out in 2018. The total number of grants was 67. Shko- the local strategic documents in the mid- dra Municipality reported the provision of 23 term local budget program (MTBP) includ- grants to the CSOs, followed by Has with 6 grants. ing General Local Plan (GLP), local social 69% of the municipalities haven’t provided any protection plan, local plan for integration grants to local CSOs. of ethnic minorities (Roma and Egyptians), Law Enforcement / Rule of Law and other strategic documents adopted by the municipal council. However, the quality The compliance with the rules on asset declara- of the MTBP remains problematic and their tion and control of conflict of interest is show- orientation towards strategic priorities re- ing progress. In 2018, 58 out of 61 mayors mains to be tested when the new program have submitted the declaration of assets ac- (output) based approach budget will be cording to the legislation. This shows an im- implemented by the municipalities. Munic- provement compared to 2017 where the as- ipal Council decisions have been published sets declarations were submitted by 87% or on the website of the municipality in 2018 53 mayors. About 31% of the municipalities by almost all municipalities. On average, declared cases of administrative procedure the online publication scale is 56%. violations including public procurement. Local administration took measures to mitigate the Attention is paid to review and address Om- risks and addressed them properly. About budsman reports’ findings and recommenda-

10 2018 Assessment Report ECONOMIC CRITERIA

90% of the municipalities have reported that no cases of conflict of interest in the de- ECONOMIC CRITERIA cision-making process have been recorded. Only municipalities of Divjaka, Tropoja and Kurbin reported cases where conflict of interests was identified. The network of local Existence of a functioning anti-corruption coordinators has been estab- market economy lished in 53% of the municipalities, thus making a progress compared to 36% in 2017. Support to SMEs has shown some progress where a number of good practices are al- Measures to introduce systematic anti-corrup- ready in place, however, such support needs tion mechanisms remain a matter of concern. to be provided by all municipalities. Economic Only the 15% of the municipalities have ad- development is one of the main local gov- opted the local integrity plan according to ernance’s functions under Law 139/2015 the Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2018-2020, ‘On local self-government’. About 67% of while the Integrity plan was in the drafting the municipalities have drafted, at least, one process in two municipalities. About 8% of Strategic Local Development Plan, thus im- the municipalities have either provided inaccu- proving the business environment; 26% of the rate data or provided no data at all related to municipalities haven’t drafted and adopted this indicator. Only 44% of the municipalities, such strategic plan by the municipal council which have adopted the Integrity Plan, had al- yet. About 8,245 new SMEs were set up (or located a specific budget line to implement it in 142 on averages in 2018. 2018. On average, 47% of the municipalities have participated in two (2) training events re- About 33% of the municipalities haven’t pro- lated to fight against corruption, while 53% of vided any specific services promoting SME the municipalities haven’t participated in any development. Several municipalities have training events in 2018. applied tax benefits or exemptions for supporting, in particular, women-led SMEs. Human Rights Some efforts have been made in terms of local government capacity building to implement human rights standards, while good cooperation with CSOs is reported. In 2018, ASPA and other service providers delivered several trainings on national and international human rights standards for local public officials. On average, 4 trainings were delivered for 22 municipalities (or 39% of the municipalities); 61% of the municipalities haven’t participated in any training on the human rights standards. About 31% of the municipalities reported that good cooperation has been established with the local CSOs in terms of addressing and reviewing cases of human rights violations in 2018. About 95% of 319 cases identified/referred regarding human rights violations were handled according to the protocols of the inter-institutional group chaired by the municipality services.

2018 Assessment Report 11 ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

kets; 25% of the municipalities have reported that all their retail markets are in line with the ABILITY TO ASSUME required standards. MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS Transportation policies Increasing road safety at the local level is Agriculture and Rural Development showing some progress, but yet limited efforts are made to promote walking and cycling. In Some progress has been made towards local 2018, on average only 52% of the existing government capacity building in terms of infor- urban network of the municipal territory com- mation system and rural and agricultural coun- plied with the road standards, while 33% of seling, as well as in terms of rural infrastructure the existing rural network of the municipalities improvement. Agricultural Information and complied with the road standards, and 35% Advisory Office (AIAO) has been established of the road signage complied, on average, in 56% of municipalities. Only 58% of the with standards. About 8.6% of the municipal municipalities did participate in capacity overall budget, on average, was allocated building programs. Despite some progress for the road maintenance and 6.82% of made concerning performance when execut- the municipal budget for the transportation ing new functions decentralized in 2016, the sector was allocated for road safety. Only average percentage of the whole irrigation 26% of the municipalities have constructed network maintained/or improved by the mu- bike lanes, and the average percentage for nicipal services was 38% in 2018, while for the bike lanes is 4.1% of the urban network irrigation network it was 44%. length in 2018, which is a minor percentage. Implementation of LEADER approach and Land 48% of the municipalities don’t have any Deeds registration is progressing very slowly. bike lanes in their urban area. About 64% of the municipalities failed to set Improving public transport and providing quality up the LAG until the end of 2018. On aver- services and facilities to the citizens remains a age, the Land registration is around 49% at problem. About 66% of the municipalities pub- the national level; 3 municipalities have reg- lished the schedule for public transportation in istered 61% to 80% of the overall number their territory. 15% of the municipalities had of the registration’s Land properties, while 14 allocated budget for maintenance of the pub- municipalities have a registration rate from lic transport vehicles with an average of 7% 81% to 100%. of the local budget for the transport sector in Food safety, veterinary and 2018; about 66% of the municipalities have provided the maintenance of public vehicles phytosanitary policies through outsourcing it to private entities. Improvement of sanitary and veterinary conditions in order to protect consumers’ health re- Energy mains still a concern. In 2018, around 43% of Very little progress is made in terms of increas- the municipalities didn’t have any veterinarian; ing the efficiency of energy use, while some ef- 23% of the municipalities had licensed markets forts are made to increase citizens’ awareness for trading livestock, while 69% of the munic- of more efficient use of energy. In 2018, about ipalities reported that they didn’t have any 24% of the municipalities have assigned the licensed markets; 28% of the municipalities energy efficiency manager. 66% of the mu- reported cases of violations of food and veter- nicipalities had not assigned the manager inary safety. Concerning compliance with stan- for energy efficiency until the end of 2018. dards, around 43% of the municipalities failed 23% of the municipalities have carried out to fulfill the standards of the food retail mar-

12 2018 Assessment Report ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

training and certification of the energy ef- were trained in different areas of social ficiency manager at the local level; 67% of protection in 2018 –4 local staff members the municipalities had not developed any trained, on average, among all the munic- Local Action Plan on energy efficiency until ipalities (this indicator is lower compared the end of 2018. 61% of the municipalities to 6 in 2017); about 28% of the munic- have organized advisory campaigns with the ipalities haven’t participated in any ca- public institutions and business community on pacity building program in 2018. 51% of the energy efficiency at the local level -1 the municipalities haven’t yet set up ‘Needs campaign on energy efficiency organized, on Assessment and Referral Sector’ within Mu- average, in 2018; 24% of the municipalities nicipality Social Services Directorate. 54% haven’t organized any advisory campaign. of the municipalities have drafted the As- No particular progress is reported regard- sessment Report on Social Protection at the ing institutional capacity building on energy local level. 46% of the municipalities have efficiency: 64% of the municipalities haven’t drafted a local plan for social inclusion. participated in any training. The municipal 53% of the municipalities haven’t partici- services carried out, on average, 1 inspection pated in any training program about the about energy efficiency requirements. social protection and social inclusion methodology in 2018. Taxes Cooperation in terms of support for active Improvement of the administration of the local labor programs has shown some progress. taxes and fees system aimed at the promotion In 2018, around 23% of the municipali- of formal economy. About 77% of the munic- ties cooperated with employment services ipalities have adopted local taxes policy to (REO/LEO) to increase employment op- promote formal economy (this indicator shows portunities and skills development, which improvement compared to 2017 when it was shows improvement compared to 10% at the level of 51%); the municipal tax ser- reported in 2017. However, 66% of the vices carried out an average number of 858 municipalities didn’t report any cooper- field inspections in 2018 (or more than dou- ation. Around 15% of the municipalities ble compared to the number of inspections have supported young educated persons in 2017 to combat informality in economy. for setting up a new business, or 5 cases About 88% of municipalities have set up and supported, on average. Around 15% of regularly update the municipal debtor data- the municipalities report that there is a base. In view of increasing the transparen- very good/and good level of awareness cy and public consultation, 5 public hearings about NEET, while 69% of the municipal- were organized, on average, by municipali- ities - poor or very poor level of aware- ties for public information and consultations ness about NEET. regarding local tax policy in 2018 (25% higher compared to 2017). Judiciary and fundamental rights Social policy and employment Very good progress is made in terms of strengthening the system for the protection Limited progress has been made in terms of of child rights, while the budget allocated to human resource capacities in social protec- child protection measures remains low. Around tion at the local level. The average number 90% of the municipalities have set up the of additional local government officials re- Child Protection Unit within the Social Protec- sponsible for social inclusion in municipal- tion Directorate in 2018 (compared to 61% ities was 2 in 2018; around 50% of the in 2017). Around 80% of the municipalities municipalities didn’t have any additional have established the monitoring system of staff in 2018. 234 local public officials cases of violation of child rights in the terri-

2018 Assessment Report 13 ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

tory of the municipality (compared to 49% in ministration capacity building regarding the 2017). 85% of the municipalities organized integration of Roma and Egyptian minorities; in 2018 a total of 620 of interdisciplinary about 28% of the municipalities’ staff par- group meetings on cases of child abuse, vi- ticipated in the training programs on local olence, economic exploitation or other forms engagements related with NAPIRE; 72% of of violation, with an average number of 11 the municipalities haven’t participated in any meetings. Around 1,064 cases were iden- training program about the implementation tified and treated by the interdisciplinary of NAPIRE. The local plan for integration of group for children protection in 2018, with R/E was developed and adopted by the an average number of 24 in 2018 (19 cases municipal council of about 30% of the mu- of child rights violations identified in 2017). nicipalities; 45% of the municipalities have There are 175 social workers, at the national participated in trainings for ROMALB system level, dedicated to child protection (on aver- including data collection, updating and re- age, 3 staff members/municipal employees). porting (N=55), with an average number of 25% of the municipalities have allocated 2 trainings in 2018. About 51% of the munic- earmarked budget for child protection, with ipalities (N=57) have supported Roma and an average of 4.5% of the social sector bud- Egyptian communities with investment proj- get; about 54% of the municipalities report- ects, which are funded by the central budget ed no earmarked budget for 2018; under the social housing program in 2018. In view of effective implementation of the Measures to strengthen gender equality and Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection from develop gender-sensitive budget have contin- Discrimination”, around 69% of the munic- ued. Around 72% of the municipalities have ipalities have participated in the capacity set up ‘the sector of gender equality’ as part building programs on the protection from dis- of the Social Services Directorate; the local crimination, or 6 staff members trained, on coordinator responsible for gender issues has average; about 48% of all the municipali- been appointed by about 83% of the mu- ties have established the system for monitor- nicipalities. In total, 146 staff members or, ing discrimination cases, which are identified on average, 4 staff members were trained in the territory of the Municipality; 7% of on gender issues; around 82% of the munic- the municipalities (or 4 municipalities) have ipalities have provided specialized services reported cooperation with the Commissioner (total 99) for women who have been victims for Protection from Discrimination (compared of domestic violence; 25% of the municipal- with 13% in 2017); 93% of the municipali- ities have prepared gender-sensitive bud- ties had no cooperation with the Commission- get/MTBP; Referring the case management, er for Protection from Discrimination during 59% of the municipalities have reported ser- 2018; about 49% of the municipalities didn’t vices provided for 156 case managements organize any awareness campaign on the in 2018; around 52% of the municipalities protection from any form of discrimination. have cooperated with civil society in regard to gender equality issues through joint activi- In view of effective implementation of the Law ties and partnerships. 96/2017 “On the Protection of ethnic Minori- ties”, about 47% of the municipalities have Slow progress is made to ensure effective im- organized social and cultural activities and plementation of Law 93/2014 “On the Inclu- awareness-raising campaigns on rights and sion and Accessibility of Persons with Disabil- protection of ethnic minorities; 7% of the mu- ities”. The Sector for Need Assessment and nicipalities (N=57) deliver public services in Referral has been established in 36% of the two languages. municipalities. About 66% of the municipal service units have participated in the promo- Progress is reported with regard to local ad- tion and awareness-raising campaign about

14 2018 Assessment Report ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

PwDs’ rights and attended trainings on the average, was used for registration in the accessibility standards. The school infrastruc- compulsory education of Roma and Egyptian ture, which fulfills the standards for PwDs, is children and other marginalized groups; the available, on average, in the range of 34%, average number of dropout by children be- whereas about 23% of the municipalities longing to these groups was about 7. have reported that they have no road infra- Concerning the improvement of school infrastructure, which has access for PwDs in their structure of the pre-university education sys- jurisdictions. tem, 3.48% of the municipal budget, on av- Justice, Freedom, and Security erage, was allocated in 2018. About 20% of Slight progress is made in terms of advanc- the municipalities reported no local budget ing the fight against organized crime. Around allocation for investments in schools infra- 46% of the municipalities have set up the structure. Planning of school infrastructure working group pursuant to the Action Plan on enabling accessibility of PwD was accom- the fight against organized crime in view of plished by about 89% of the municipalities. mainstreaming and advancing the municipal- Municipality representative in school boards ities’ actions with central governance institu- has been present in about 87% of the mu- tions activities in the fight against organized nicipalities. About 56% of the municipalities crime. 49% of the municipalities had drafted have supported initiatives in regard to setting the strategic document on public safety, by up school-parent-government communication, the end of 2018. There is a need for more while 36% of the municipalities lagged be- efforts in terms of institutional coordination hind in regard to the implementation of such among the relevant Line Ministries, ASLG and initiative. the municipalities. Around 51% of the municipalities hadn’t set up Community Council by Good progress is made with regards to con- the end of 2018 servation and protection of material and non-material cultural heritage, while financial Education and Culture resources are still limited to invest more in this important area for tourism and economic de- Participation of children in the preparatory velopment. About 74% of the municipalities classes for pre-school education has declined. have reported no cases of violation and ille- The average number of kindergartens at the gal construction in the areas of cultural heri- national level is 28 per municipality. The reg- tage; 6 municipalities (or 10%) have report- istration ratio of children belonging to the ed 1 up to 5 cases of violations. Municipal age group of 3-5 years old in this educa- services took measures – 1.99% of the 2018 tion system has declined from 79% in 2017 municipal budget, on average, was allocated to 70% in 2018, but this number might be for the protection of cultural assets. Around higher due to the fact that 13% of the mu- 36% of the municipalities have allocated no nicipalities haven’t provided available data. specific budget for this function. 11 cultural 232 children, on average, from the margin- activities have been planned and organized, alized group including Roma and Egyptian on average, by the municipalities in 2018. minorities attended the pre-school education in 2018. The fund allocated for infrastructure Regional Policies development of the kindergartens occupies, In terms of strengthening regional and local co- on average, 2.9% of the municipal budget. operation in order to contribute to economic Efforts have continued to ensure quantita- development and reduce regional inequalities, tive and qualitative inclusion of marginalized inter-municipal cooperation remains at a mod- groups in the pre-university education system. est level, while cross-border cooperation is in- 0, 42% of the 2018 municipal budget, on creasing. Only 56% of the municipalities are

2018 Assessment Report 15 ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

reporting about cooperation with other LGUs, to manage the municipality waste in two while 34% of municipalities have undertaken separate streams; around 71 authorized joint initiatives to reduce regional disparities. disposals, or on average 1, were reported 45% of municipalities are involved in the by the municipalities for 2018. implementation of cross-border cooperation No particular progress is made in terms of projects, which are funded by IPA cross bor- strengthening the implementation of task force der programs. decision on acoustic pollution in urban centers Environment and Climate Change and coastal tourist areas. 44% of the munici- In terms of awareness-raising and local gov- palities hadn’t established the task force for ernment capacity building for its role in rela- acoustic pollution by the end of 2018; in to- tion to protecting the environment, 107 local tal, there are 88 inspectors or an average staff members were trained in 2018; about number of 1-2 inspectors per municipality; 20% of the municipalities haven’t partici- 7 trainings were organized for the munici- pated in the capacity building program on pal inspectors about acoustic pollution, legal environment issues; 75% of the municipalities framework, and measures at the local level. have organized a total of 241 activities for More efforts are needed in terms of integrat- awareness-raising and education of young ing the climate change risks into local plans in generations; about 25% of the municipalities harmony with national priorities and objectives. have failed to provide correct data or have 66% of the municipalities have drafted and provided no data at all for awareness-rais- adopted local plan of measures for mitigat- ing activities in relation to environment and ing climate change risks in line with national nature protection. priorities and objectives, but around 75% of Slow progress has been made towards drafting the municipalities haven’t yet collected and the action plans for improving the quality of en- recorded data on climate change; 61% of vironmental air at the local level; 25% of the the municipalities didn’t participate in any municipalities have adopted local Action Plan trainings on climate change. (LAP) for the improvement of the air quality, Slow progress is made towards local capaci- while 67% of the municipalities haven’t yet ty building in regard to effective management developed LAP; 28% of the municipalities of forest and pastures fund and forestation of have integrated the local measures for the degraded areas through recycling in the des- improvement of the air quality in the munici- tination of forest resource revenues. Around pal strategic document including MTBP. 33% of the municipalities haven’t drafted Progress is reported towards improving inany operational plan for the management of tegrated waste management; about 49% forest and pastures fund. The municipalities’ of the municipalities have developed and employment for this function was, on aver- adopted Waste Management Plan, which age, 65% in 2018 compared to the standard is part of MTBP (the percentage of this for forest specialist. Concerning database for indicator is higher compared to 2017 ), private entities with activities on the manage- while 46% of the municipalities didn’t have ment of the forest and pastures fund of the such WMP; 64% of the municipalities have municipality, approximately 25% of the mu- managed solid waste collection and waste nicipalities hadn’t yet established any data- disposal in dumpsites according to their lo- base by the end of 2018. cal management plan (this shows improvement compared to 2017 – at the range of Financial Control 43%); around 85% of the municipalities don’t recycle municipal waste, and around The human and technical capacities of the local 95% of the municipalities were not able administration have been improved in regard to

16 2018 Assessment Report ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

the public expenditure management including About one-third of the municipalities have budget planning capacities and budget execu- collected less revenue in 2018 compared tion. The local government revenues from local 2017; two-thirds of the municipalities have taxes and fees have increased in the national collected more revenues in 2018 compared level by 19% compared to 2017, but there to 2017, thus ranging from 10% to 79%. are disparities among the individual perfor- The local government expenditure in 2018 in- mance of the municipalities. creased by 7% compared to 2017.

2018 Assessment Report 17 18 2018 Assessment Report 1. INTRODUCTION

1. INTRODUCTION

his is the second national report on the 2018. The revised indicators have been dis- local government efforts and account- cussed with the EU Local Coordinators and Tability towards the EU accession pro- municipalities in October 2018. cess including local democracy, rule of law, The mapping indicators are organized ac- public administration and human resource cording to three components of the Europe- management, human rights and local govern- an Commission Country Report: (i) political ment performance as provided for by Law criteria, (ii) economic criteria and (iii) abili- 139/2015 “On Local Self-Government”. The ty to assume membership obligations. As the specific purpose of the report is to map the central government institutions are entitled municipalities against a set of indicators in to follow and make progress following re- the key areas related to political and eco- quirement and obligations as defined in the nomic criteria, as well as standards set out in national strategic and political documents the current framework of respective chapters and the National European Integration Plan of EU Acquis Communitaire on local govern- 2017-2020, the Municipalities also have re- ment functions as provided for by the Law sponsibilities to implement relevant policies 139/2015 “On Local Self-Government”2. and laws, which are part of the same nation- The report analyses the information about al European Integration agenda. 2018, thus additionally making, where appropriate, a comparison with the municipal The mapping indicators are grouped based mapping in 2017. on the three above-mentioned criteria and chapters. In addition, the definition of the The findings of the report and respective mapping indicators took into consideration data on specific topics/principles will pro- the following: vide useful information that could lead to the development of new policies and measures . Overall and specific objectives of nation- both, from central government and local gov- al strategic policies and national docu- ernment structures, to improve the situation. ments, for which Municipalities should make progress and have responsibilities The methodology of this report follows the for taking measures; methodology on data design and collection . Objectives of the decentralization re- of the first report (2018) with some improve- form and Local Self-Government in terms ment in terms of redefining the mapping in- of enhancing the quality and upgrading dicators based on consultations with all rel- public services provided by local gov- evant line ministries and other central public ernment on the basis of EU standards, institutions that took place over July-August enhancing the transparency and account-

2 The set of indicators is defined in the matrix “Municipalities in the EU Integration Process”.

2018 Assessment Report 19 1. INTRODUCTION

ability of the local government toward ondary data from municipalities appeared the community, and increasing the par- to be questionable and required further ticipation of the citizens and stakeholders cross-checking. All the matrixes submitted in the local government decision-making within the first deadline were cross-checked processes. and were sent back to the municipalities for further data revision and clarification of in- Data constraints and challenges formation. Data collection and processing by municipalities is a big concern. There is no relevant in- All the data analyzed, which are in this re- formation available from INSTAT in the areas port, are provided by municipalities, there- covered by the report. The statistical system fore the responsibility for the accuracy and at municipality level does almost not exist. respective data figures of each municipal This makes it difficult for the municipalities to administration. report on all indicators. The quality of sec-

20 2018 Assessment Report 2. POLITICAL CRITERIA

2. POLITICAL CRITERIA

Sustainability of institutions that ensure democracy, rule of law, human rights and respect and protection of minorities 2. POLITICAL CRITERIA 2.1. Democracy

Sustaina2.1.1.bility ofGovernance institutions that ensure (v) Number of legal acts that have passed democracy, rule of law, human rights and the consultation procedure in the CC Specificrespect Objective: and protection Improve of minoritiescoordination of central and local government through the establishment and In 2018, there has been an overall prog- effective functioning of the Consultative Council (CC). 2.1. Democracy ress made on the functioning of the CC: In Progress in achieving the objective will be assessed basedtotal, on severalseven (7) performance meetings of indicators, the CC havesuch as: (i) the Consultative2.1.1. CGoouncilvernance between the Central Governmenttaken and place the withLocal the Government support of isthe set ASLG up on a relevant legal basis (indicator met), (ii) Functional CC: numberand the of Ministrymeetings of within Interior. 1 year, The (iii)consulta Average- participation rate of Mayors in CC meetings, (iv) Averagetion participationprocess between rate theof CentralCG and Government the LG representatives in CC meetings, and (v) Number of legalhas beenacts thatinstitutionalized, have passed through the consultation active procedureSpecific in the Objective: CC Improve coordination of involvement of all parties in the process central and local government through the es- In 2018, there has been an overall Boxof 1: draftingEC Progress and Report consulting for Albania, of 2019various draft progresstablishment made and on the effective functioning functioning of the of the decisions / draft laws and draft strate- CC:Consultative In total, seven Council (7) (CC). meetings of the On local governmentgies proposed, the territorial by the administrative Central Government. reform (TAR) CC have taken place with the support of needs to beTransparency further consolidated has been as enhancedpart of the by wideren- Progress in achieving the objective will be as-decentralisation agenda. The government undertook a midterm the ASLG and the Ministry of Interior. suring the involvement of local government sessed based on several performance indica-review of the 2015-2020 national cross-cutting strategy for The consultation process between the decentralisationassociations and local governanc in the processe. The Supreme of drafting State Auditand tors, such as: (i) the Consultative Council be- CG and the LG has been Institution alsoconsulting carried out andraft assessment legislation; of the TAR by and frequent issued a tween the Central Government and the Localreport on it, in October 2018. The new legislation affecting local institutionalized, through active informing process of municipalities on im- Government is set up on a relevant legal ba-government is not yet fully harmonised and implemented. involvement of all parties in the process portant issues in the deliberation and con- of sisdrafting (indicator and met), consulting (ii) Functional of various CC: number sultation process, as well as on required draftof decisionsmeetings within/ draft 1 year,laws and(iii) Average draft strategies par- proposed by the Central Government. Transparency measures for which Municipalities had to hasticipation been enhanced rate of Mayors by ensuring in CC meetings,the involvement (iv) of local government associations in the process of take actions for the implementation of new draftingAverage and participation consulting draft rate oflegislation; Central Gov by -frequent informing process of municipalities on important laws and decisions (DCMs). issuesernment in the representatives deliberation inand CC meetings,consultation and process, as well as on required measures for which Municipalities had to take actions for the implementation of new laws and decisions (DCMs). Graph 1

Graph 1 Formatted: Font: (Default) Tw Cen MT Participation in the Counsultative Council's Meetings 100% 90%100% 79%79% 80%80% 70% 60%60% 50%40% 40% 20% 30% 20%0% 10% K.K 1 K.K 2 K.K 3 K.K 4 K.K 5 K.K 6 K.K 7 0% CC1 CC2 CC3 CC4 CC5 CC6 CC7 Kryetaret e Bashkive Qeveria Qendrore Mesatarja totale Mayors Central Government Average . The level of participation rate of the Mayors in the CC meetings was 72%; participation rates range from 65% to 90% during the meetings. . The level of participation of central government representatives has been higher compared to 2018 Assessmentmayors: the Report average rate has been 85% in 2018, ranging from 70% to 95%. 21 . Total participation rate including central and local government was 79%.

15 2.1.1 Governance

The level of participation rate of the Mayors ry and consultative role in legal drafting in the CC meetings was 72%; participation process, in analyzing the impact of the laws rates range from 65% to 90% during the during the implementation from local gov- meetings. ernment, as well as in developing policies aimed at improving local governance within The level of participation of central govern- of the European integration agenda. ment representatives has been higher com- ■■ Monitoring the implementation of the Action pared to mayors: the average rate has been Plan (AP) of the National Crosscutting Strat- 85% in 2018, ranging from 70% to 95%. egy of Decentralisation and Local Gov- Total participation rate including central and ernment, and taking measures to address local government was 79%. critical issues that impede the effective implementation of the AP The Consultative Council has reviewed 38 le- ■■ Monitoring the implementation of the rec- gal acts out of a total of 40 submitted during ommendations of studies/reports conducted 2018, out of which 8 Draft Laws and 19 Draft on local self-government with the support of Decisions were approved by the CC, while 3 projects from different donors. DCMs have been withdrawn for review3 . In addition, 2 reports on “Mid-Term Evaluation of the National Cross-cutting Strategy on De- Strengthening of public institutions and gover- centralization and Local Government (MTR) nance is underlined by the UN’s Sustainable De- and “Transparency Program, Information velopment Goals (Goal 16) on Peace, Justice, Commissioner and IDM” are discussed and and Strong Institutions. This goal is embraced in approved in principle by the CC. the national strategic policy documents as follows: National Strategy for Development and Integration 2015 -2020 (NSDI), Cross-Cutting

Table 1 Presented Treated Adopted Turned back for review In Process Did not pass in the 2018 year Draft Laws 10 10 8 1 1 - Draft Decisions 22 22 19 3 3 - Presentation 8 6 6 - - 2 TOTAL (2018) 40 38 33 4 5 2

Public Administration Reform Strategy 2016- Conclusion 2020 (CCPARS), and the National Cross-Cut- In 2018, the functioning and role of the Con- ting Strategy of Decentralization and Local sultative Council, as an effective mechanism Governance 2015-2020 (NCCSDLG). Accord- of dialogue between local and central gov- ing to these strategic documents, the specific ernment has improved, as well as transpar- objective related to the governance is strength- ency, information for LGUs and involvement ening of the public administration capacities of local self-government associations. including local governance institution (LGUs) through establishment of a merit-based and sustainable civil service at local level, improving Challenges the sustainability and professionalism of public ■■ Increasing the participation of Mayors in CC administration through in-depth and continuous meetings. training of civil servants of the central and local public administration and strengthening of the ■■ Further strengthening of the CC adviso-

3 Draft Decision “On the Adoption of the National Plan on Air Quality Management”; Draft Decision “On Delegated Functions and Use of Funds for these Functions”; Draft Decision “On Decentralized Education Services and Cooperation with MASR - School Infrastructure, Financing of Preschool Education and Transport in Rural Areas”.

22 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

managerial and leadership skills. Despite the is built upon the 12 Principles of Good Gover- efforts, implementation of the CS law is still far nance. from ensuring that a merit-based civil service4 In 2018, ASPA provided trainings on the Civil is established at the local level Service Law to an average number of about 7(N=59) to public local officials compared to The 7th principle of the good governance5 an average of 3 trainings provided in 2017; at local level highlights the importance of 13 public officials were trained, on average, the competences and capacities of the local in civil service legislation (N=60) compared to administration based on three core concepts: 12 officials trained in 2017). In total, 764 local public officials (N=60) were trained in 2018 on (i) The professional skills of those who deliver governance are continuously maintained and strengthened in order to improve their Box 1: EC Progress Report output and impact; for Albania, 2019 (ii) Public officials are motivated to continuously improve their performance; On local government, the territorial administrative reform (TAR) needs to be further consolidated as part of (iii) Public officials are motivated to continuously the wider decentralisation agenda. The government un- improve their performance. dertook a midterm review of the 2015-2020 national cross-cutting strategy for decentralisation and local gov- The Department of Public Administration ernance. The Supreme State Audit Institution also carried (DoPA) and the Albanian School of Public out an assessment of the TAR and issued a report on Administration (ASPA) have improved the it, in October 2018. The new legislation affecting local training system for local public administration government is not yet fully harmonised and implemented. though a curriculum review process (91 curricula revised) based on quality assurance criteria; the certification procedures for the ASPA training participants has been improved by the CSL and all its bylaws. Only 3 municipalities, means of setting up the e-library, which allows the Has, Klos and Vau i Dejes have reported that training curricula to be accessible by public offi- none of the staff participated in those trainings. cials; an electronic platform E-PAV is operational It has to be mentioned that the number of mu- for the local administration related to the human nicipalities, the staff of which didn’t benefit resource management. from trainings of ASPA has declined from 29% in 2017 (17 municipalities) to only 3 In 2018, ASPA provided mandatory trainings for municipalities in 2018; Lezha Municipality the new civil servants of the municipalities and spe- has not provided data on this indicator. cific trainings in different areas such as the following: EU integration, human resource management, local finance, strategic and operational planning, leadership, Code of Administrative Procedures, IPA fund management, and other thematic areas. ASPA has adapted the curriculum of the Leader- ship Academy Program (LAP) and delivered training in three stages for local government representatives and in one stage for the top management corps of civil service at the central level. Two training cycles were completed for 24 participants including mayors, deputy mayors and senior level officials of the municipalities. The course

4 EC, Working Document for Albania progress, (17.04.2018) 5 Council of Europe - Mainstreaming the 12 Principles of good governance in local administration

2018 Assessment Report 23 2.1.1 Governance were trained, on average, in civil service legislation (N=60) compared to 12 officials trained in 2017). In total, 764 local public officials (N=60) were trained in 2018 on the CSL and all its bylaws. Only 3 municipalities, Has, Klos and Vau i Dejes have reported that none of the staff participated in those trainings. It has to be mentioned that the number of municipalities, the staff of which didn‟t benefit from trainings of ASPA has declined from 29% in 2017 ( 17 municipalities) to only 3 municipalities in 2018; Lezha Municipality of has not provided data on this indicator. Graph 2 Trainings on civil servants' legislation

Vore Vlore Vau I Dejes Ura Vajgurore Tropoje Tirane Tepelene Skrapar Shkoder Shijak Selenice Sarande Rrogozhine Roskovec Pustec Puke Prrenjas Polican Pogradec Permet Peqin Patos Mirdite Memaliaj Mat Mallakaster Maliq Malesi e Madhe Lushnje Librazhd Libohove Lezhe Kurbin Kukes Kucove Kruje Korce Konispol Kolonje Klos Kelcyre Kavaje Kamez Himare Has Gramsh Gjirokaster Fushe Arrez Finiq Fier Elbasan Durres Dropull Divjake Diber Devoll Delvine Cerrik Bulqize Berat Belsh

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Thematic area trainings delivered by ASPA:, 17 public officials, on average, were trained in different thematicThema areatic areas managed trainings deliveredby ASPA by in ASPA2018:, compared (N=60).to 14 public Three officials (3) municipalities trained in 2017 (or (N=60) . Three17 (3) public municipalit officials,ies (or on 5%) average, haven‟t participated were 5%)in any haven’t thematic participated area training in inany 2018 the -(4% in 2017)trained; 1 municipality in different has notthematic provided areas data on this indicator.matic area training in 2018 (4% in managed by ASPA in 2018compared 2017); 1 municipality has not provided to 14 public officials trained in 2017 data on this indicator.

24 2018 Assessment Report 16 2.1.1 Governance

Graph 3 Number of local officials who participated in ASPA training

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

AboutAbout 71 71local local public public officials officials participated participated on HRMIS trainings,following: with (i) improved an average curricula of one– 91 (1) curricula person (3 in 2017);HRMIS 16 trainings,9 persons with were an averagetrained onof onethe (1)Code of Administrativerevised through Procedures a Quality (N=59) Assurance or 3System; persons , on average. 28% of the municipalities haven‟t participated in trainings on the Code of Administrative Procedures;person (3 in3% 2017); of the 169 municipalities persons were trainedhaven‟t provided(ii) data improved on this certification indicator. system 21 publicfor the officialspartici- , on average,on the wereCode trained of Administrative in different Procedures thematic areas frompants; other (iii) servicesetting upproviders, of the e-library; which (iv)is totaloper- 1,316 persons.(N=59) or 3 persons, on average. 28% of the ational electronic platform E-PAV (DoPA). municipalities haven’t participated in trainings The results of a survey led by ASSG/dldp (2018) hasThe shown alloca thattion the of localmost budgetimportant for localcontribution ad- of DoPAon theand Code ASPA of Administrativein terms of Procedures;capacity 3%building for local administration includes the following: (i) improvedof the municipalitiescurricula – 91 haven’t curricula provided revised data through on a Qualityministration Assurance capacity System building; (ii) improved remains certification very systemthis indicator.for the participants 21 public officials,; (iii) setting on average,up of the e-library;low. About(iv) operational 52% of the electronicmunicipalities platform (N=54) E-PAV (DoPA).were trained in different thematic areas from have allocated a specific budget for local staff Theother allocation service ofproviders, local budget which isfor total local 1,316 administration trainings, capacity at anbuilding average remains of 1.9% veryof the low mu.- About 52%persons. of the municipalities (N=54) have allocated a specificnicipality budgetbudget; 48%for local of municipalities staff trainings hadn’t, at an averageThe results of 1.9% of a of survey the municipality led by ASSG/dldp budget ; 48% ofplanned municipalities any budget hadn for‟t plannedtrainings; theany munici budget- for trainings;(2018) thehas municipalityshown that the covers most important only the con small- expensespality (transport covers only cost the and small per expenses diem); (transportabout 11 % of the municipalities haven‟t provided data on this indicator. tribution of DoPA and ASPA in terms of capac- cost and per diem); about 11% of the municipalities haven’t provided data on this indicator. ity building for local administration includes the

2018 Assessment Report 2517 2.1.1 Governance

Table 2 2.1. Strengthening capacities of the local government administration

Number of No. of trainings on No. of local staff No. of ASPA No. of local No. of local No. of local No. of local local officials civil servants legis- trained on the CS trainings officials who officials trained staff trained staff trained (total) lation attended legislation attended participated in by other service on HRMIS on the new ASPA trainings providers CAP 6 Belsh 189 0 3 3 3 15 1 1 Berat 128 3 12 20 20 30 2 0 Bulqize 398 4 14 2 16 20 0 3 Cerrik 112 10 8 5 20 10 1 1 Delvine 29 1 1 2 4 5 0 0 Devoll 297 30 35 10 50 50 1 4 Diber 194 1 36 5 50 6 0 0 Divjake 249 4 2 5 12 1 2 3 Dropull 50 18 2 2 4 16 1 0 Durres 345 3 19 4 40 32 4 5 Elbasan 458 96 96 6 6 9 2 3 Fier 366 2 10 3 10 0 1 No data Finiq 200 0 0 10 10 7 1 3 Fushe Arrez 65 No data 2 2 15 30 0 1 Gjirokaster 83 1 8 4 15 21 2 4 Gramsh 313 3 3 9 12 18 1 5 Has 36 2 8 4 0 4 0 0 Himare 192 5 3 13 8 3 1 3 Kamez 175 1 1 18 38 32 1 5 Kavaje 604 7 9 3 12 0 0 9 Kelcyre 67 0 3 4 9 5 0 0 Klos 237 4 12 0 0 20 2 2 Kolonje 53 3 9 9 17 21 0 0 Konispol 136 4 3 6 11 6 1 2 Korce 162 0 0 4 6 10 1 0 Kruje 114 5 4 2 2 39 1 4 Kucove 124 4 4 2 15 10 0 8 Kukes 669 13 27 7 48 35 2 11 Kurbin 145 15 10 1 1 20 2 2 Lezhe 630 1 1 5 No data 17 2 3 Libohove 83 21 20 13 14 40 3 1 Librazhd 119 1 14 4 16 10 1 14 Lushnje 277 10 15 105 20 23 0 4 Malesi e Madhe 380 4 10 2 10 6 2 3 Maliq 96 3 3 1 23 3 0 0 Mallakaster 60 1 1 6 12 23 1 0 Mat 147 35 46 8 21 25 2 2 Memaliaj 32 2 2 2 2 7 2 No data Mirdite 58 9 9 3 12 18 2 3 Patos 99 1 1 15 25 30 0 4 Peqin 264 0 6 1 15 9 2 0 Permet 82 2 7 4 9 4 0 0 Pogradec 680 No data 72 10 78 50 2 4 Polican 70 3 11 1 15 8 0 2 Prrenjas 290 1 1 3 6 7 0 0 Puke 283 9 2 4 20 30 3 3 Pustec 8 0 No data 2 4 10 1 Jo Roskovec 321 1 2 1 2 18 2 4 Rrogozhine 100 2 1 7 3 14 0 2 Sarande 104 1 1 2 1 5 1 0 Selenice 150 1 20 1 20 30 3 20 Shijak 185 1 11 4 7 42 2 6 Shkoder 271 15 15 10 25 12 0 2 Skrapar 352 2 2 3 3 10 0 2 Tepelene 115 5 3 4 7 2 2 3 Tirane 6200 4 125 14 109 306 3 0 Tropoje 95 2 8 10 30 15 0 4 Ura Vajgurore 100 12 0 12 12 12 2 0 Vau i Dejes 215 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 Vlore 354 2 3 3 5 19 1 2 Vore 211 2 2 7 28 36 2 2

6 Code of Administrative Procedures

26 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Problems and challenges Specific objective: Enhancement of the . ASPA limited budget to cover all the local government transparency needs of local government units in regard to capacity building; Stakeholder engagement and participation . Lack of sufficient local budget for train- increase the likelihood that policy outcomes ing purposes; are delivered for the many and not just the . The requests of the municipalities for few (OECD, 2017d). Citizen participation trainings to ASPA are not carried out and representation is embodied in the Prin- through a comprehensive, analyses of ciple 2 of the Good Governance at the local institutional needs and prioritization and level, which entails the following: (i) citizens performance requirements at the local are at the center of public activity and they level; are involved in clearly defined ways in pub- . E-library should be operational and ac- lic life at local level, (ii) all men and women cessible by the local administration; can have a voice in decision-making, includ- . Adequacy of administrative competen- ing those of the less privileged and most vul- cies, roles and responsibilities regarding nerable, either directly or through legitimate the execution of functions and regard- intermediate bodies that represent their in- ing the Human Resource Management terests. Such broad participation is built on the freedoms of expression, assembly, and policies. 7 . Human resource management and association .

capacity building: setting up of struc- 8 tures and the capacities within the Albanian municipalities are obliged by law municipality which will be responsible to to guarantee public participation in the deci- ensure effective implementation and the sion-making process. The municipalities have monitoring of the General Development appointed a coordinator who is responsible Plans adopted by the Municipality. for public notification and consultation. Public . Review and unification of local adminis- consultation is not limited only to the consul- trative structures based on some models tation on the annual budget and mid-term and guidelines and criteria (i.e. criteria budget, but it includes the local strategic of population.) development plan and the social protection . Increasing the capacities of local admin- plan. The municipality services have invited istration on statistical area, developing community groups, individual citizens, NGOs, database for uban planning and other businesses, local media to provide inputs and important sectors for economic develop- feedback on the local development plans, ment, and strengthening monitoring and MTBP / local budget program. reporting capacities at local level.

7 Mainstreaming the 12 Principles of the Good Governance. Web source: www.coe.int/en/web/good-governance/12-principles-and-eloge 8 Law no. 139/2015, clause 16 on Public Consultation

2018 Assessment Report 27 2.1.1 Governance

92% of the Albanian municipalities have 908 local citizens, on average, participated in drafted their local budget based on the par- public meetings/public hearings on the prepa- ticipatory approach; once it’s adopted by ration of local budget in 2018;, 8 public the municipal council, the local budget is pub- meetings, on average, were organized at the lished on the website , which the Ministry of national level on budget execution (N=60). Economy and Finance has developed: www. 79% of the municipalities have included their financatvendore.al. Five categories of citi- adopted local strategic documents in the mid- zens have participated and were represent- term local budget program (MTBP) including ed by local CSOs including women, youth, General Local Plan (GLP), Local Social pro- vulnerable groups, persons with disability tection plan, Local Plan for integration of na- and national ethnic minorities in the process tional minorities (Roma and Egyptians), and of drafting the budget and mid-term budget other strategic documents. planning.

Graph 4

28 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

More needs to be done about civic ed- when and why they have a chance to in- ucation and how to engage citizens to fluence governments’ decisions. Strengthen- better and effectively interact with local ing civil education at a young age can help government units to increase the likeli- strengthen engagement and participation hood that their voice is heard. This can in the policymaking process9. be achieved by providing information on

Graph 5 Number of public hearings with citizens organized by the municipality for budget preparation, 2018

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

More needs to be done about civic education and how to engage citizens to better and effectively interact with local government units to increase the likelihood that their voice is heard. This can be 9 achieved OEDC ,by Embracing providing Continuous information change in government, on when 2017 and (Print why and Lange,they 2013).have a chance to influence governments‟ decisions. Strengthening civil education at a young age can help strengthen engagement and participation in the policymaking process8. 2018 Assessment Report 29 Increase transparency of local finances The annual local No. of public No. of citizens No. of public hearings No. of categories of budget of the hearings organized participating in public organized on the vulnerable groups municipalities during the budget hearings on the realization of revenues 9represented by CSOs published on the preparation period budget discussion and expenditures (on- in public hearings on website of the budget execution) the budget and its municipality and at monitoring www.financatvendore .al Belsh No 5 858 0 No data Berat Yes 9 100 9 5 Bulqize Yes 1 20,000 0 3 Cerrik Yes 14 1272 2 3 Delvine Yes 22 1500 2 0 Devoll Yes 45 2250 45 4 Diber Yes 1 125 1 2 Divjake Yes 5 700 5 5 Dropull No 0 0 0 0 Durres Yes 10 395 1 5 Elbasan Yes 24 4456 3 7 Fier Yes 14 1390 11 No data Finiq No 12 500 5 0 Fushe Arrez Yes 3 15 1 2 Gjirokaster Yes 9 30 4 1

8 OEDC, Embracing Continuous change in government, 2017 (Print and Lange, 2013). 9 I.e women / women head of household / youth / ethnic groups / disabled people, etc.

20 2.1.1 Governance

Table 3

Increase transparency of local finances

The annual local budget of No. of public No. of citizens No. of public hearings No. of categories of vulnera- the municipalities published hearings organized participating in public organized on the realization ble groups 10represented by on the website of the during the budget hearings on the bud- of revenues and expenditures CSOs in public hearings on municipality and at www. preparation period get discussion (on-budget execution) the budget and its monitoring financatvendore.al Belsh No 5 858 0 No data Berat Yes 9 100 9 5 Bulqize Yes 1 20,000 0 3 Cerrik Yes 14 1272 2 3 Delvine Yes 22 1500 2 0 Devoll Yes 45 2250 45 4 Diber Yes 1 125 1 2 Divjake Yes 5 700 5 5 Dropull No 0 0 0 0 Durres Yes 10 395 1 5 Elbasan Yes 24 4456 3 7 Fier Yes 14 1390 11 No data Finiq No 12 500 5 0 Fushe Arrez Yes 3 15 1 2 Gjirokaster Yes 9 30 4 1 Gramsh Yes 56 2072 56 2 Has Yes 2 22 1 2 Himare Yes 15 975 11 5 Kamez Yes 10 800 10 4 Kavaje Yes 3 85 3 2 Kelcyre Yes 3 37 1 2 Klos Yes 4 600 2 2 Kolonje Yes 4 30 2 2 Konispol Yes 11 500 6 0 Korce Yes 6 600 6 0 Kruje Yes 8 750 6 6 Kucove Yes 3 96 1 5 Kukes Yes 2 180 2 3 Kurbin Yes 4 250 3 0 Lezhe Yes 3 320 3 No data Libohove No 2 0 2 0 Librazhd Yes 56 2500 56 4 Lushnje Yes 15 567 15 6 Malesi e Madhe No 1 120 3 3 Maliq Yes 6 3000 7 70% Mallakaster Yes 4 600 4 3 Mat Yes 5 200 No data No data Memaliaj Yes 1 76 1 1 Mirdite Yes 7 930 7 4 Patos Yes 15 500 15 100 Peqin Yes 1 0 1 No data Permet Yes 4 34 1 2 Pogradec Yes 9 300 10 5 Polican Yes 2 35 1 3 Prrenjas Yes 9 635 9 0 Puke Yes 5 300 1 3 Pustec Yes 3 30 3 0 Roskovec Yes 16 110 16 0 Rrogozhine Yes 0 0 0 0 Sarande Yes 7 300 3 5 Selenice Yes 6 200 6 5 Shijak Yes 1 40 1 5 Shkoder Yes 21 650 37 6 Skrapar Yes 3 650 3 2 Tepelene Yes 4 800 4 No data Tirane Yes 24 1.727 7 1.147 Tropoje Yes 10 74 2 3 Ura Vajgurore Yes 4 100 30 5 Vau i Dejes Yes 6 215 3 6 Vlore Yes 9 1500 6 5 Vore Yes 3 35 1 0

10 I.e women / women head of household / youth / ethnic groups / disabled people, etc.

30 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Specific objective: Open governance, cessibility to the services, enhanced physical accountability, and e-governance at the infrastructure and improved effectiveness of local level the local administration).

Digitalization of the public services has been Integrated one-stop-shops have been one of the Government of Albania objec- set up in about 49% of the municipali- tives, which has provided a positive impact ties, which have reported that, at least, on numerous services. With the support of 1 one-stop-shop is operational in their some donor agencies, integrated ICT system territories. 50 administrative services (One-stop-shop) has been developed and are provided, on average, through one- its’ operational in several municipalities for stop-shops. Tirana Municipality pro- a set of administrative services. This system vides262 services, Elbasan Municipality has improved public and administrative ser- 100 services, and Shkodra Municipality vices delivery (the quality, speed, and ac- 83 services.

Graph 6

2018 Assessment Report 31 2.1.1 Governance

Establishment of one-stop-shop in all other municipalitiesis is ongoing (planned in 2019).

Table 4 Establishment of one-stop-shops for public services Has the Municipality No. of Administrative Units of the Municipality that have anone- No. of Services Provided established anone-stop-shop? stop-shopversus the total number of Administrative Units one-stop-shop(where it exists) Belsh Yes 5/5 2 Berat Yes 5/5 65 Bulqize No 0 0 Cerrik Yes 5 30 Delvine No 0 0 Devoll Yes 3 10 Diber No 0 0 Divjake No 0 0 Dropull Yes 1 28 Durres No 0 0 Elbasan Yes 18/18 100 Fier Yes 10/13 71 Finiq No 0 0 Fushe Arrez Yes 0 0 Gjirokaster No 0 0 Gramsh No 0 0 Has No 0 0 Himare No 0 0 Kamez Yes 1 35 Kavaje No 1 0 Kelcyre No 3 0 Klos Yes 3/3 73 Kolonje No 1/7 0 Konispol No 0 0 Korce Yes 4 64 Kruje Yes 1/6 15 Kucove No 0 0 Kukes No 0 0 Kurbin No 0 0 Lezhe Yes 5 71 Libohove Yes 1 1 Librazhd Yes 1 5 Lushnje No 0 0 Malesi e Madhe Yes 1/5 4 Maliq Yes 1/6 60 Mallakaster Yes 1 15 Mat Yes 8 76 Memaliaj No data No data No data Mirdite No 0 0 Patos No 0 0 Peqin No 5 0 Permet Yes 1/5 34 Pogradec Yes 7/7 63 Polican Yes 1/3 79 Prrenjas No 0 0 Puke No 0 0 Pustec Yes 0 20 Roskovec No 0 0 Rrogozhine No 0 0 Sarande Yes 0 55 Selenice Yes 5 5 Shijak No 0 0 Shkoder Yes 16 83 Skrapar No 0 0 Tepelene Yes 1/4 60 Tirane Yes 27 262 Tropoje No 0 0 Ura Vajgurore Yes 4 No data Vau I Dejes Yes 50.00% 75 Vlore Yes 0 55

32 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Graph 7 ty based on three core concepts: o All decision-makers, collective and individual, take responsibility for their decisions. o Decisions are reported on, explained and can be sanctioned. o There are effective remedies against mal- administration and against actions of local authorities which infringe civil rights. According to the national legislation, the Alba- nian municipalities are responsible to deliver public and administrative services in accor- Vore No dance0 with the standards required by 0law or The number of applications submitted by cit- other sub-legal acts13.An individual or group of izens to get administrative services has in- citizens has the right to appeal and complain creased (up to twice the number of applica- about issues related to municipality functions tions for services in some municipalities). 39% and competences within the jurisdiction of the of the municipalities, in which one-stop-shops local self-government unit14. are set up, carry out citizen satisfaction sur- veys11. The evidence of the surveys shows that Municipalities should develop procedures and system the citizens are satisfied with the speed of the that will be able to track record and monitor infor- services and professionalism of the staff. Some mation relating to citizens’ complaints and addressing their complaints adequately. The NCCSDLG municipalities have admitted that much more defines setting up the performance management work is still needed to improve the quality of system for the citizens’ complaints. This information services. should be made available to employees, the Mu- nicipal Council(MC) and citizens. Evidence should Problems and challenges be kept not only about the number of responses . Setting up of one-stop-shops in all municipal- provided to citizens, but also about the quality of ities; the process and the number of citizens’ complaints, . One-stop-shop should cover all the territory of which were fully addressed. More training needs the municipality including remote areas; to be provided to municipalities in terms of ethical . Increasing the number of administrative/public and customer care in order to provide good ser- services managed through one-stop-shop. vice to the citizens. As presented in the graph below, the ratio of responses of the municipality services to citizens’ Specific objective: Enhancement of the ac- requests in 2018 was, on average, 82%. The countability of the local governance (2.3) majority of municipalities, which provided the data, are above the average ratio, while the Responsiveness and accountability are em- highest response ratio (100%) is reported by bodied in the Principle 2 of the good gover- 16 municipalities15. The lowest response ratio nance12at the local level, which entails that is reported by the municipalities of Saranda public services are delivered, and requests and (0%), Prrenjas (20.53%), Kukës (14.13%) and complaints are responded to within a reason- Fier (5.77%). able timeframe and Principle 12: Accountabili-

11 Source: Helvetas/dldp Survey Report 2018 12 Mainstreaming the 12 Principles of the Good Governance. Web source: www.coe.int/en/web/good-governance/12-principles-and-eloge 13 Law no. 139/2015 “On the Local Self-Government” 14 Law no. 139/2015, Article 19 – The right to appeal, complaint and warning 15 The Municipalities of Bulqizë, Devoll, Dibër,Durrës, Gramsh, Kurbin, Librazhd, Lushnjv, Mallakastër, Patos, Pogradec, Roskovec, Rrogo- zhinë, Shijak, Shkodër, Skrapar

2018 Assessment Report 33 2.1.1 Governance

Graph 8 Ratio of responses given to citizens' requests submitted to the municipality 120.00%

100.00%

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% 20.53% 14.29% 5.77% 0.00% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

While responding to a citizen complaint or request for information is important, the level of addressing theWhile complaint responding and solving to a citizencitizen‟s complaint problem oris essential. Thereforeaddressed, aby mechanism municipal toadministration keep track ofad the- complaintsrequest foraddressed information by is municipalimportant, adminis the lev-tration adequatelyequately and and effectively isis necessarynecessary to to be be developed, along with the change of the management culture towards “putting the citizens first” el of addressing the complaint and solving developed, along with the change of the

citizen’s problem is essential. Therefore, a management culture towards “putting the mechanismThe to ratio keep of MCs' track decisions of the published complaints in the municipality's electroniccitizens register first” against the total number of acts adopted by the MC (in %)

Skrapar Shkoder Pogradec Patos Mat Mallakaster Lushnje Kurbin Kolonje Himare Gramsh Durres Divjake Diber Bulqize Librazhd Permet Ura Vajgurore Dropull Tirane Has Gjirokaster Prrenjas Kruje Konispol Finiq Fier Vore Shijak Rrogozhine Puke Polican Peqin Maliq Malesi e Madhe Libohove Kucove Kelcyre Devoll Delvine Belsh

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00%

34Policymaking transparency is necessary to prevent and address the risks of policy2018 capture Assessment15. Report

15 OECD, 2017 - Embracing Continuous Change in Government, point 3.2.

24 Ratio of responses given to citizens' requests submitted to the municipality 120.00%

100.00%

80.00%

60.00%

40.00%

20.00% 20.53% 14.29% 5.77% 0.00% 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

While responding to a citizen complaint or request for information is important,2.1.1 the Governance level of addressing the complaint and solving citizen‟s problem is essential. Therefore, a mechanism to keep track of the complaints addressed by municipal administration adequately and effectively is necessary to be developed, along with the change of the management culture towards “putting the citizens first”

Graph 9 The ratio of MCs' decisions published in the municipality's electronic register against the total number of acts adopted by the MC (in %)

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00% 120.00%

Policymaking transparency is necessary to prevent and address the risks of policy capture15.

Policymaking transparency is necessary to 56% is, on average, the online publication 15 OECD, 2017 - Embracing Continuous Change in Government, point 3.2. prevent and address the risks of policy cap- rate. About 32% of municipalities have ei- ture16. ther provided inaccurate data have provid- All municipalities have reported that Municipal ed no data at all. Apart from the publication Council decisions have been published on the web- of decisions on the web site, some municipali- 24 site of the municipality. The ration of the publi- ties ensure live broadcasting of the municipal cation of municipal council decisions varied from council meetings (i.e. Tirana, Shkodra). 33% to 100% of the total number (N=41).

16 OECD, 2017 - Embracing Continuous Change in Government, point 3.2.

2018 Assessment Report 35 2.1.1 Governance

Table 5

2.3 Commissioner for Information and Protection of Personal Data (IDP)

Improve the accountability of local administration No. of responses given to citizens’ No. of decisions published in the Number of reports on findings/recommendations of the requests against the total number municipality’s electronic register, Commissioner for Protection Against Discrimination which submitted to the municipality againstthe total number of acts the municipality refused against the total number of reports Municipalities adopted by the municipality submitted to the municipality during the reporting year Belsh 405 0 0 Berat 78.70% Yes 0 Bulqize 150/150 120/120 20 Cerrik 705/1230 118 0 Delvine 120 0 0 Devoll 16/16 0 0 Diber 100% 100% 0 Divjake 400/720 106/106 0 Dropull 707/746 90/100 0 Durres 8468/8468 91/91 0 Elbasan No data No data No data Fier 117/2027 1/126 0 Finiq 856/1020 40/122 0 Fushe Arrez 37 130 0 Gjirokaster 80/150 91/128 0 Gramsh 81/81 101/101 0% Has 331/364 57/70 0/0 Himare 1158/1298 51/51 0 Kamez 45 158 0 Kavaje 1135/1362 8 0 Kelcyre 260/340 0 0 Klos 220/355 124 0 Kolonje 302/542 90/90 0/0 Konispol 603/659 40/122 0 Korce 400/451 138 0 Kruje 330/350 351/1014 0 Kucove 350/430 0 0 Kukes 31/217 76 3 Kurbin 37/37 66/66 0 Lezhe 41 1 2 Libohove 260 0 0 Librazhd 1108/1108 133/136 0 Lushnje 20/20 105 / 105 0 Malesi e Madhe 516 0 0 Maliq 0 0 0 Mallakaster 33/33 96/96 1 Mat 5100/5190 112/112 0 Memaliaj No data No data No data Mirdite 112 333 0 Patos 14/14 83/83 0 Peqin 81.63% 0 0 Permet 401/423 68/74 0/0 Pogradec 100.00% 77/77 0 Polican 28/46 0 0 Prrenjas 340/1656 80/113 0 Puke 250 0 0 Pustec 30 No data No data Roskovec 100% 107 0 Rrogozhine 100% 0 0 Sarande 0% 75 0 Selenice 93,75% No data 0 Shijak 100% 0 0 Shkoder 110/110 82/82 1/3 Skrapar 50/50 45/45 0 Tepelene 95% No data 0 Tirane 306/321 23/26 0 Tropoje 20 170 0 Ura Vajgurore 1 90.91% 100.00% Vau I Dejes 99.91% No data 0 Vlore 322 No data 0 Vore 1460 0 0

36 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Human rights are respected, protected and There is a positive fact that the number of the implemented and discrimination on any reports from the Commissioner for Protection grounds is combated within the local author- from Discrimination submitted to the Albanian ity’s sphere of influence. Cultural diversity municipalities is limited. Only 5 municipalities should be treated as an asset and all have (out of 54 providing information)18 have re- a stake in the local community, identify with it ceived reports on cases of discrimination re- and do not feel excluded17. ported by citizens to the Commissioner.

Graph 10

17 CoE, Mainstreaming 12 principles of Good Governance 18 7 municipalities (12%) municipalities veha failed to correctly report data about this indicator.

2018 Assessment Report 37 2.1.2 The Ombudsman

Problems and challenges mendations, which were either refused by the municipalities or are still under the review . The level of participation of local citizens in process. decision-making is still relatively low. . Municipalities have started to use social The Ombudsman submitted to the municipal- media toinform the citizens on the public ities, an average number of 11recommen- hearings, in particular, during the budget dations in 2018 (N=21), which is higher discussions; however, they need to use more compared to 2017 (7 recommendations); innovative solutions that can reduce the cost 35% of the municipalities received re- of citizens’ engagement in public life through ports with recommendations, while 62% the presentation of friendly user information of the municipalities didn’t receive any viathe social network. reports from the Ombudsman in 2018; . Municipalities don’t carry out an annual sur- 3% of the municipalities haven’t provid- vey on citizens’ satisfaction and feedback on ed data about this indicator. local governance issues. . Due to limited financial resources, it’s difficult for the municipalities to set up an inte- Graph 11 grated management information system to keep trackof citizens’ requests and complains about issues related to municipality functions and services, . Training and capacity building programs for the local officials in relation to service provision, communication and reporting on the complaints are either limited or not existing.

2.1.2. The Ombudsman

The Ombudsman plays a crucial role in terms of promoting accountability through the supervisory role and control of public institutions including local government units in different areas of their activity and competences based on the requests of individual citizens, associations or NGOs presenting local citizens and their legitimate interests. Specific objective: Improvement of reviewing capacities of the municipalities regarding the reports on the observations and recommendations of the Ombudsman. This objective is assessed through three indicators: (i) number of reports with findings and recommendation submitted by the Ombuds- man to municipalities in 2018; (ii) number of reports accepted by the municipalities; (iii) number of reports with findings and recom-

38 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.2 The Ombudsman

Table 6 3.1 Improve the review by the municipality of the reports of the Ombudsman’s findings and recommendations No. of recommendations from the Om- No. of recommendations from the Om- No. recommendations by the Ombuds- budsman submitted to the Municipality budsman accepted by Municipality man which were under review at the during the last year. end of the year Belsh 0 0 0 Berat 5 5 0 Bulqize 0 0 0 Cerrik 0 0 0 Delvine 0 0 0 Devoll 0 No data No data Diber 0 0 0 Divjake 0 0 0 Dropull 0 0 0 Durres 13 12 1 Elbasan No data No data No data Fier 38 30 8 Finiq 0 0 0 Fushe Arrez 0 0 0 Gjirokaster 7 7 0 Gramsh 0 0 0 Has 2 2/2 0 Himare 0 0 0 Kamez 0 0 0 Kavaje 0 0 0 Kelcyre 4 4 0 Klos 4 1 3 Kolonje 4 4 0 Konispol 0 0 0 Korce 0 0 0 Kruje 2 2 1 Kucove 0 0 0 Kukes 36 36/36 0 Kurbin 3 3/3 0 Lezhe No data No data No data Libohove 0 0 0 Librazhd 4 0 0 Lushnje 0 0 0 Malesi e Madhe 0 0 0 Maliq 0 0 0 Mallakaster 0 0 0 Mat 0 0 0 Memaliaj 0 0 0 Mirdite 0 0 0 Patos 17 16 1 Peqin 0 0 0 Permet 4 4/4 0 Pogradec 2 2 0 Polican 1 1 0 Prrenjas 0 0 0 Puke 0 0 0 Pustec 0 0 0 Roskovec 5 5 0 Rrogozhine 0 0 0 Sarande 35 25 10 Selenice 0 0 0 Shijak 0 0 0 Shkoder 0 0 0 Skrapar 0 0 0 Tepelene 1 1 0 Tirane 21 21 0 Tropoje 0 0 0 Ura Vajgurore 0 0 0 Vau i Dejes 0 0 0 Vlore 30 100.00% 5 Vore 0 1 0

21 municipalities reported that they received reports from the Ombudsman. 10 findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman were addressed in 2018 (N=21). Seven (7) municipalities have reported that the review process of the Ombudsman’s recommendations was still ongoing at the end of 2018.

2018 Assessment Report 39

Formatted: Font: (Default) Tw Cen MT 38 Nr. i rekomandimeve të Avokatit te Popullit Nr. i rekomandimeve të pranuara 36 36 35

30 30 30

21 21

17 16 13 12

7 7 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

2.1.1 Governance

Graph 12

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

No. of recommendations from the Ombudsman submitted to the Municipality in 2018 No. of recommendations from the Ombudsman accepted by Municipality Graph 12

AsAs noted noted byby thethe graphgraph above, above, the themunicipal municipalities- (ii)are Pr omotionpaying ofattention the CSOs’ to role address in the implementaOmbudsman‟s- recommendations.ities are paying attention to address Om- tion of projects in the municipality territories. Problemsbudsman’s and recommendations. challenges Pro. blemsMunicipalities and challenges should be more actively engaged in reviewing and addressing the Ombudsman‟sGraph 13 recommendations in full consultation with concerned citizens and the associations representing . Municipalitiesthem; should be more actively . engagedDrafting in ofreviewing guidelines and by addressing the municipalities to facilitate the review process in response to the theOmbudsman‟s Ombudsman’s findings recommendations and recommendations. in full consultation with concerned citizens and2.1.3. the associations Civil Society representing them; An. empoweredDrafting of civil guidelines society byis athe crucial municipal- component of any democratic system and should be recognized and treatedities to facilitateas such theby review the state process institutions. in Some progress was made towards improving the functioningresponse of theto the National Ombudsman’s Council findingsfor Civil Society and through the passing of the Social Enterprises and recommendations.

2.1.3. Civil Society About 46% of the municipalities have confirmed cooperation with CSOs about various local issues An empowered civil society is a crucial com- mostly when drafting and reviewing policies at ponent of any democratic system and should the local level and when drafting local plans, par- 35 be recognized and treated as such by the ticipation in public hearings and consultations with state institutions. Some progress was made vulnerable and ethnic minorities groups during towards improving the functioning of the Na- the process of drafting the budget/and MTBP. tional Council for Civil Society and through About 252 recommendations were provided at the passing of the Social Enterprises Law. the national level to LGUs; 4 recommendations Substantial efforts are needed to ensure were provided, on average, by CSOs in relation meaningful consultations with civil society ac- to municipal decision making in 2018; municipal- tors as part of inclusive policy dialogue19. ities have reviewed about 204 recommendations submitted (or 3, on average). Specific objective: Strengthening of civil society A total number of 259 recommendations were role and enhancing cooperation at the local level provided by the CSOs to28 municipalities (46%), The objective is assessed through five per- which reported that have received recommenda- formance indicators on two main levels: tions during the decision-making process. 208 or (i) CSO’s engagement in the local government 80% of this number, were reviewed, while 151 decision-making process; (or 73% of the number of recommendation proposed) were taken into consideration.

19 European Commission, Working Document for the Albania Progress (April 2018)

40 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Table 7 4. Cooperation with Civil Society No. of CSOs recommen- No. of CSOs recom- No. of CSOs No. of grants awarded by Value (in ALL ) of Municipalities dations/requests of during mendations taken into recommendations the Municipality for joint grants awarded the local decision-making consideration by the implemented projects in partnership with by to CSOs process Municipality CSOs Belsh 0 0 0 0 0 Berat 6 6 6 0 0 Bulqize 0 0 0 0 0 Cerrik 30 15 10 No data 120,000 Delvine 0 0 0 0 0 Devoll 13 13 8 2 4 300 000 Diber 4 4 3 3 8,296,000 Divjake 0 0 0 0 0 Dropull 0 0 0 0 1,185,687 Durres 7 7 7 1 120700 Elbasan No data No data No data 4 1,700,000 Fier 15 4 11 0 0 Finiq 0 0 0 0 0 Fushe Arrez 3 1 0 0 0 Gjirokaster 15 15 10 0 0 Gramsh 24 24 18 0 0 Has 2 2/2 0 6 2,200,000 Himare 15 6 6 0 0 Kamez 0 0 0 0 0 Kavaje 0 0 0 0 0 Kelcyre 15 15 7 0 0 Klos 0 0 0 0 0 Kolonje 0 0 0 0 0 Konispol 0 0 0 0 0 Korce 0 0 0 2 1.161.178 Kruje 18 18 10 2 800,000 Kucove 3 3 2 0 0 Kukes 0 0 0 1 648,000 Kurbin 2 1 1 3 40,156,218 Lezhe No data No data No data 1 No data Libohove 2 2 2 0 0 Librazhd 2 1 0 2 3,368,756 Lushnje 0 0 0 0 0 Malesi e Madhe 3 3 3 0 0 Maliq 0 0 0 0 0 Mallakaster 0 0 0 0 0 Mat 0 0 0 0 0 Memaliaj 0 0 0 0 0 Mirdite 3 3 2 0 0 Patos 0 0 0 0 0 Peqin 0 0 0 0 0 Permet 20 20 14 4 1,185,687 Pogradec 2 2 2 0 0 Polican 0 0 0 0 0 Prrenjas 0 0 0 3 892,416 Puke 0 0 0 0 0 Pustec 0 0 No data 0 No data Roskovec 0 0 0 2 826.048 Rrogozhine 0 0 0 0 0 Sarande 8 5 5 0 0 Selenice 0 1 1 0 0 Shijak 0 0 0 0 0 Shkoder 16 16 16 23 20,895,022 Skrapar 0 0 0 0 0 Tepelene 0 0 0 0 0 Tirane 3 No data No data 3 69.069.545 Tropoje 3 7 3 3 2,430.0 Ura Vajgurore 3 0 0 0 0 Vau I Dejes 3 10 3 0 0 Vlore 12 100% 67% 2 0 Vore 0 0 0 0 0

2018 Assessment Report 41 2.1.1 Governance

Graph 14 Problems and challenges . Lack of data on CSOs registered in the territories of municipalities. . Low capacities of the local CSOs in the area of good governance, competences and functions of the local government, hence weak voice to influence effectively the decision-making at the local level. . Enhancement of cooperation between the municipality services and the local CSOs to 29% of the municipalities (N=60) have pro- improve local governance for the well-being vided grants in partnership with donor-fund- of all citizens. ed agencies to the local CSOs for the imple- . Promotion of the local CSOs by the munici- mentation of different projects in support of palities through grants in order to implement youth engagement in public life and employ- projects of a common interest. ment, PwD and integration of the local vulnerable groups including the ethnic minorities. In total, 67 grants or 1 grant, on average, (N=60) were provided by 18 municipalities CONCLUSIONS ON DEMOCRACY which is a minor contribution; Continues efforts are being made in to strengthen 69% of the municipalities haven’t provided capacities of local administration, while human any grants to local CSOs. resource management and financial sustainabil- All the Western Balkans countries (includ- ity of training remain a challenge. The training ing local governments) use similar models for system for the local administration is improved funding of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) through a curriculum review process (91 curric- from public budgets, where common challeng- ula revised in 2017-2018) based on quality es relate to insufficient financial sources and assurance system, improvement of the certifica- transparency or unclear criteria of the selection procedures, setting up the e-library and the tion processes and limited CSOs capacities. To electronic platform E-PAV for human resource address the common challenges, the EU-funded management. In 2018, 764 local public offi- Regional Program on Local Democracy in the cials were trained on the Civil Service Law, and WB (ReLOaD) 2017-2021 aims to strengthen about 1,008 local officials were trained in the partnerships between local governments and different thematic areas by ASPA. The average civil society by scaling-up a successful mod- number of local officials rose from 14 persons el of transparent and project-based funding per municipality to 18 persons in 2018. Train- of CSOs. In Albania, 30 projects were imple- ing on the Code of Administrative Procedures mented by CSOs during the first phase (2018- was attended by 169 persons or an average 2019), and 40 projects in the second phase of 3 persons per municipality; however, 28% of (2019-2020) in partnership with 12 partner the municipalities didn’t receive training. The al- municipalities 20. The projects are addressing location of the local budget for training remains main priorities foreseen in the strategic docu- very low. Only 52% of municipalities have allo- ments of each partner municipalities, aiming to cated some funds to cover the cost of staff for offer better services for the citizens. They are participation in the training (1.9% of the mu- focused on sectors such as: human rights, social nicipality budget, on average), while 48% of inclusions, environment, tourism, youth empower- municipalities reported that they didn’t allocate ment and local democracy. any budget for trainings in 2018.

20 The municipalities of Shkodra, Lezha, Elbasan, Durres, Permet, Korça, Librazhd, Tropoja, Tirana, Roskovec, Dibra and Prrenjas

42 2018 Assessment Report 2.1.1 Governance

Progress has been made toward fulfilling the vendore.al 908 citizens have participated, on obligation for open governance, accountabil- average, in public meetings or public hear- ity and e-governance at the local level. The ings during the preparatory process of the government program for e-services at the local budget. The average is 8 public meet- local level continues. Progresshas beenmade ings held per municipality. The municipalities towards the establishment of Integrated of Gramsh, Librazhd, and Devoll reported One-Stop-Shop (iOSSH), with 49% of the the largest number of public meetings orga- municipalities establishing the Integrated nized (over 25 meetings) while municipalities One-Stop-Shop (iOSSH), or 20 municipali- of Dropull and Rrogozhina reported that no ties more compared to 2017. 50 adminis- meetings or public hearings were organized trative services are provided, on average, in 2018 during the budget drafting process. through iOSSH. While the program to set up About 79% of the municipalities reported the one-stop-shop in all other municipalities that they have reflected the strategic objec- is planned to be completed by 2019, further tives, which are set out in the local strategic efforts should be made to increase the num- documents and in the Mid-term Local Budget ber of the administrative services provided Program (MTBP) including General Local Plan through iOSSHand to increase territorial cov- (GLP), Local Social Protection Plan, Local Plan erage including all administrative units and for Integration of Ethnic Minorities (Roma and remote areas. Egyptians), and other strategic documents Addressing citizens’ request for information or as adopted by the municipal council. How- complaints, as part of strengthening the ac- ever, the quality of the MTBP remains prob- countability of the local government has im- lematic and their orientation towards stra- proved, while further efforts need to be made tegic priority remains to be tested when the to ensure citizens’ requests are addressed prop- new program based approach budget will erly. The information provided by the munic- be applied by the municipalities. Almost all ipalities shows that municipalities are paying municipalities have published the municipal attention to address citizens’ requests and council decisions on the website of the munic- complaints. 82% of citizens’ requests and ipality in 2018. The online publication range complaints received, on average, a response was 56%, on average. in 2018 from the administrative services of Attention is paid in terms of reviewing and their municipality. This indicates an increased addressing Ombudsman reports’ findings and percentage compared to 2017 (75%). Fif- recommendations. Only 1 report with recom- teen (15) municipalities have provided re- mendations, on average, has remained under sponses to all (100%) citizens’ requests/com- the review process in 2018 (10 out of 11 rec- plains. However, there is no local government ommendations, on average, were reviewed performance management system in place to by the municipal services). About 62% of the allow for a more qualitative assessment of municipalities didn’t receive any recommen- the municipalities’ responsiveness towards cit- dations from the Ombudsman. izens. Good progress has been made towards in- Consolidation of the civil society at the local creasing transparency of the local government, level remains a challenge. About 46% (less whereas citizens’ participation in decision mak- than half) of the municipalities have con- ing and cooperation with CSOs remains at a firmed cooperation with CSOs in various low level. About 92% of Albanian Municipal- local issues mostly in terms of drafting and ities have drafted their local budget in 2018 reviewing policies at the local level and in based on the participatory approach. The terms of the process of drafting the budget/ budgets are published on the municipalities’ and MTBP. This percentage confirms also the website and on the Ministry of Finance and fact that CSOs are not established across Al- Economy dedicated website: www.financat- bania. In particular, small municipalities lack the

2018 Assessment Report 43 2.1.1 Governance

presence of civil society organizations. Out of level. Financial capacities of municipalities 252 recommendations provided by CSOs in to support CSOs activities in their adminis- 2018, 204 recommendations (or 93%) were trative areas remain very limited. Only 18 taken into consideration by the municipal coun- municipalities were able to provide grants cils and local administration during the review in 2018. The total number of grants was process. There is a need to develop a system to 67. Shkodra Municipality reported the record the recommendations provided by the provision of 23 grants to the CSOs, fol- CSOs on different decision-making processes lowed by Has Municipality with 6 grants. and the number of them taken into consid- 69% of the municipalities haven’t provid- eration. Capacities of the local CSOs in the ed any grants to local CSOs. Enhance- area of good governance, competences, and ment of cooperation between the munici- functions of the local government remain still pal administration and the local CSOs in weak, hence a weak voice to effectively terms of improving local governance for the influence the decision-making at the local well-being of all citizens is important.

44 2018 Assessment Report 2.2. Rule of Law

2.2. RULE OF LAW

2.2.1. Fight against corruption This specific objective is assessed through four indicators. About 31% of the munic- The fight against corruption is one of the five ipalities declared cases of administra- key priorities and recommendations of the tive procedure violations and corruptions European Union to open membership negoti- (N=60) in 2018; 67% of the municipal- ations with our country. One of the measures ities didn’t have cases of administrative to address this priority is the adoption and procedure violations including public implementation the Anti-Corruption Action procurement, whereas 2% of the munic- Plan 2018-202021, and one of the measures ipalities didn’t provide data about this of the Action Plan is to setup the network indicator. of anti-corruption coordinators at the local level. The Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of According to the national legislation, the Internal Affairs and the Agency for the Sup- mayor is subject to the declaration of as- port of Local Self-Government (ASLG are the sets to the HIDAACI. 95% of the munici- institutions in charge of overseeing the imple- palities have reported that the mayor has mentation of this measure. submitted the assets declaration according Specific objective: Strengthening the regime of to the legislation. 5% of the municipalities disclosure and control of public officials’ wealth have either provided inaccurate data or and management of conflict of interest. (5.1) provided no data at all.

21 The plan is drafted by the State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG)

2018 Assessment Report 45 2.2. Rule of Law

Table 8 5.1. Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal investigations against corruption No. of complaints (appeals) No. of local administration of- No. of conflicts of interest statements by Establishment of the network of for violations of administrative ficials who have declared the local officials and the City Council during local anti-corruption coordinators procedures and corruption assets, as required by law decision making. in municipalities/contact points Belsh 18 1 0 No Berat 5 1 0 No Bulqize 0 1 0 No Cerrik 0 1 0 Yes Delvine 0 1 0 Yes Devoll 10 No data No data No data Diber 8 1 0 Yes Divjake 4 1 32 Yes Dropull 0 1 0 No Durres 0 1 0 Yes Elbasan 0 1 0 Yes Fier 0 1 0 Yes Finiq 0 1 0 No Fushe Arrez 0 1 0 No Gjirokaster 2 1 0 Yes Gramsh 0 1 0 No Has 2 1 0 Yes Himare 0 1 0 No Kamez 0 1 0 Yes Kavaje 0 1 0 Yes Kelcyre 3 1 0 No Klos 0 1 0 No Kolonje 1 1 0 Yes Konispol 1 1 0 No Korce 0 1 0 No Kruje 0 1 0 Yes Kucove 0 1 0 No Kukes 9 1 0 No Kurbin 0 1 20 No Lezhe No data 1 0 Yes Libohove 0 1 0 No Librazhd 0 2 0 Yes Lushnje 0 1 0 Yes Malesi e Madhe 0 1 0 No Maliq 0 1 0 No Mallakaster 0 1 0 Yes Mat 0 1 0 No Memaliaj 0 1 0 No Mirdite 15 1 0 Yes Patos 0 1 0 Yes Peqin 0 1 0 Yes Permet 7 1 0 Yes Pogradec 0 1 0 Yes Polican 0 1 0 Yes Prrenjas 0 1 0 No Puke 0 1 0 No Pustec 0 1 0 No Roskovec 0 1 0 Yes Rrogozhine 0 4 0 No Sarande 0 1 0 No Selenice 1 1 0 Yes Shijak 2 1 0 Yes Shkoder 0 1 0 Yes Skrapar 4 1 0 Yes Tepelene 0 1 0 Yes Tirane 0 1 0 No data Tropoje 2 1 4 Yes Ura Vajgurore 0 1 0 Yes Vau I Dejes 5 1 0 No Vlore 0 1 0 Yes Vore 1 1 100% No

46 2018 Assessment Report 2.2. Rule of Law

Graph 15 Table 9 5.3. Adopting anti-corruption policies at the LG level Integrity Plan for the Budget funds planned for implemen- Municipality adopted tation of local anti-corruption policy Belsh Yes No Berat Yes No Bulqize No No Cerrik No No Delvine No No Devoll No data No data Diber No No Divjake No No Dropull No No Durres No No Elbasan Yes No Fier No data 0 As regulations and monitoring mechanisms Finiq No No Fushe Arrez No No continue to develop and EU Member States Gjirokaster No No have differences with regard to asset dec- Gramsh No 0 larations, the need to maintain the right bal- Has No No Himare No 0 ance between public disclosure and the right Kamez No No of public officials to privacy will become Kavaje No 2.70% 22 Kelcyre No No more and more prominent . Klos No 0 Kolonje No No . 90% of the municipalities didn’t have any Konispol No No cases of conflict of interest (CoI) in the de- Korce Ne process No cision making process involving members Kruje Yes 0 Kucove No No of the Municipal Council in 2018; 10% of Kukes No No the municipalities didn’t provide accurate Kurbin No 0 Lezhe No data Yes data; Libohove No No Librazhd No No . 4 municipalities23 did have any cases of Lushnje No No declarations of conflict of interest involving Malesi e Madhe No No Maliq No No members of the Municipal Council, while Mallakaster No No the local administration took measures to Mat No No Memaliaj No data No data prevent it; Mirdite No No Patos No No . 53% of the municipalities appointed the Peqin No No local anti-corruption coordinator in 2018; Permet No No Pogradec Yes 0 44% of the municipalities haven’t appoint- Polican Yes No ed the local anti-corruption coordinator Prrenjas No No Puke No No yet; about3% of the municipalities didn’t Pustec No No provide data about this indicator. Roskovec No No Rrogozhine No No Sarande No No Selenice No No Shijak No No Shkoder Yes Yes Skrapar Yes No Tepelene No No Tirane No data No data Tropoje No Yes Ura Vajgurore Yes No Vau I Dejes No 0 Vlore No No Vore No 0%

22 OECD, 2017 - Embracing Continuous Change in Government, point 3.2 ‘Transparency in policy making’. 23 Tropoja, Divjaka, Vora and Kurbin

2018 Assessment Report 47 2.2. Rule of Law

5.2 Specific objective: Capacity building of . 47% of the municipalities, on average, have the local government administration to fight participated in two (2) trainings on the fight corruption(5.2) against corruption (N=57) – this shows im- This specific objective is assessed through provement compared to 2017 (1 training), three indicators: (i) number of trainings on total 61 persons trained; 53% of the munic- the fight against corruption, (ii) the level of ipalities haven’t participated in any training updating the municipality’s electronic register in 2018; of citizens claims and complaints according . About 6% of the municipalities haven’t pro- to the legal deadlines, (iii) setting up of a vided data about this indicator. Monitoring and Evaluation mechanism (M&E) in the public services delivery and economic According to the legislation24, the municipali- aid at local level (in the municipality). ties are responsible for updating the electronic . 47% of the municipalities, on average, have participated in two (2) trainings on the fight against corruption (N=57) – this shows improvement compared to 2017 (1 training), total 61 persons trained; 53% of the municipalities haven‟t participated in any training in 2018; . About 6% of the municipalities haven‟t provided data about this indicator. Graph 16 Number of trainings provided by the National Anti-Corruption Coordinator on the fight against corruption

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

22 24According Law no.to 199the / 2014legislation “On the right, tothe Information’, municipalities Article 8 are“Register responsible of requests andfor responses”. updating The theCommissioner electronic for the register Right to of Informationrequests andand Protection responses of Personal every Data 3sets months. standards Theabout theinformation format and content must of bethe register.published on the website of the municipality, as well as on a public place in the municipality. The register doesn‟t include the identity of the person applying for information. 48 2018 Assessment Report . 57% of the municipalities have regularly updated the municipality‟s electronic register of citizens‟ complaints and requests according to the legal deadlines; the other municipalities have either provided inaccurate data or no data at all. . In 2018, 45% of the municipalities (N=55) have set up the M&E mechanisms of monitoring the quality of the public service delivery in the area of municipality‟s competences in general, and the cash social assistance delivery; 10% of the municipalities didn‟t provide data about this indicator.

5.3 Specific objective: Adoption of anti-corruption policies at the local level

22 Law no. 199 / 2014 “On the right to Information’, Article 8 “Register of requests and responses”. The Commissioner for the Right to Information and Protection of Personal Data sets standards about the format and content of the register.

34 2.2. Rule of Law

register of requests and responses every 3 Graph 17 months. The information must be published on the website of the municipality, as well as on a public place in the municipality. The register doesn’t include the identity of the person applying for information. . 57% of the municipalities have regularly updated the municipality’s electronic register of citizens’ complaints and requests according to the legal deadlines; the other municipalities have either provided inaccurate data or no data at all. . In 2018, 45% of the municipalities (N=55) have set up the M&E mechanisms of monitor- Coordinator for the fight against corruption ing the quality of the public service delivery and the Ministry of Internal Affairs following in the area of municipality’s competences in the instructions of the Ministry of Justice. general, and the cash social assistance deliv- . ery; 10% of the municipalities didn’t provide Only 15% of the municipalities have ad- data about this indicator. opted local integrity plan according to the Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2018-2020; 2% 5.3 Specific objective: Adoption of of the municipalities had the Integrity plan in anti-corruption policies at the local level drafting process; about 8% of the municipalities have either provided inaccurate data or This specific objective will be assessed through provided no data at all related to this indi- two performance indicators. Under the An- cator. ti-Corruption Action Plan 2018-202025, the municipalities should draft and adopt the In- Even in cases when the municipality has ad- tegrity Plan, the aim of which is to prevent opted its local integrity plan regarding the corruption in the public services delivery by fight against corruption, it’s not effectively them (at the local level). To this end, the mu- executed if the plan isn’t part of the budget nicipalities will be assisted by the National planning of the municipality.

25 The plan is drafted by the State Authority for Geospatial Information (ASIG)

2018 Assessment Report 49 2.2. Rule of Law

Table 10 5.2. Strengthening capacities of the local government administration in the fight against corruption No. of CCC trainings on the fight against cor- The degree of updating of the municipality’s elec- M & E mechanism for providing public services ruption in which the municipality participated tronic register of claims and complaints according and economic assistance to the municipality to the deadlines set out in the legislation. established Belsh 0 0 No Berat 3 Yes Yes Bulqize 0 No No Cerrik 2 Periodic Yes Delvine 0 No No Devoll No data No data No data Diber 2 Yes Yes Divjake No data 0 No Dropull 0 0 No Durres 0 4 No Elbasan 7 0 Yes Fier 6 50 No data Finiq 0 Periodic Yes Fushe Arrez 1 0 Yes Gjirokaster 0 Yes No Gramsh 0 4 No Has 2 Monthly Yes Himare 0 Always Yes Kamez 1 100% Yes Kavaje 0 0 Yes Kelcyre 2 0 Yes Klos 0 0 Yes Kolonje 4 Monthly Yes Konispol 0 Yes Yes Korce 1 Daily No Kruje 2 1 No data Kucove 0 No No Kukes 0 4 Yes Kurbin 0 No No Lezhe No data Yes No data Libohove 2 0 No Librazhd 0 30% No Lushnje 0 0 No Malesi e Madhe No data No data No Maliq 0 4 No Mallakaster 1 No No Mat 1 Yes No Memaliaj 3 0 Yes Mirdite 2 Yes No Patos 0 No No Peqin 2 Yes Yes Permet 4 Monthly Yes Pogradec 0 3 Yes Polican 1 No Yes Prrenjas 1 4 No Puke 0 0 No Pustec 0 Periodic No Roskovec 0 100% No Rrogozhine 1 0% No Sarande 0 75% No Selenice 1 100% Yes Shijak 0 0% No Shkoder 3 Periodic Yes Skrapar 0 Yes No Tepelene 1 4 No data Tirane 0 No data No data Tropoje 0 Periodic No Ura Vajgurore 0 12 Yes Vau I Dejes 0 Yes Yes Vlore 2 No data Yes Vore 3 0 No

50 2018 Assessment Report 2.2. Rule of Law

4 out of 9 municipalities, which have adopted according to the legislation. This shows an im- the Integrity Plan regarding the fight against provement compared to 2017 where the as corruption, had provided a specific budget- sets declarations were submitted by 87% or allocation in 2018 for its implementation. 53 mayors. About 31% of the municipalities declared cases of administrative procedures Problems and challenges violations including public procurement. Local administration took measures to mitigate the • Limited coordination efforts by the central risks and addressed them properly. About institutions to support the municipalities 90% of the municipalities reported that they when drafting their local Integrity Plan re- have had no cases of conflict of interest in garding the fight against corruption rele- the decision-making process. Only municipal- vant to the National Anti-Corruption Action ities of Divjaka, Tropoja and Kurbin reported Plan 2018-2020. about cases where conflict of interests was . Limited technical and human capacities identified. The network of local anti-corrup- of the municipalities in terms of adopting tion coordinators has been established in 53% the local policies relevant to the Govern- of the municipalities, thus making a progress ment of Albania policy and in terms of- compared to 36% in 2017. adopting instruments regarding the fight against corruption. Measures to introduce systematic anti-corrup- . Limited local financial sources for the im- tion mechanisms remains a concerning issue. plementation of the local Integrity Plan. Only 15% of the municipalities have ad- . Lack of adequate training of the local opted local Integrity Plan according to the officials in the fight against corruption. Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2018-2020, Provision of training to other local offi- while the Integrity plan was in the drafting cials who are not officially appointed by process in two (2) municipalities. About 8% the Local Authority in the capacity of the of the municipalities have either provided local anti-corruption coordinator is not inaccurate data or provided no data at all effective. about this indicator. Only 44% of the municipalities, which have adopted the Integrity CONCLUSIONS ON RULE OF LAW Plan, provided a specific budget allocation for its implementation in 2018. 47% of the The compliance with the rules on asset dec- municipalities, on average, have participated laration and control of conflict of interest is in two (2) trainings related to fight against showing progress. 58 out of 61 mayors have corruption, while 53% of the municipalities submitted the declaration of assetsin 2018 haven’t participated in any training in 2018.

2018 Assessment Report 51 52 2018 Assessment Report 2.3. Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities

2.3. HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE PROTECTION OF MINORITIES

pecific objective: Local government capaci- of the Republic of Albania and other im- Sty building to implement national and inter- portant laws26. Law no. 10221 “On the pro- national human rights standards tection from discrimination” and the Law no. 96/2017 “On the protection of national mi- Albania has made efforts and is commit- norities” are the the two key laws adopted ted to the continuous improvement of human by the Parliament. Albania is a member in rights standards. The national legal framework different international and regional organi- guarantees respect for minority rights. It complies zations, and has ratified a number of inter- with international conventions, laws and stan- national conventions on human rights including dards. The core document is the Constitution the Framework Convention on the Protection of National Minoritiesof the Council of Europe.

26 Law “On the Ombudsman” (8454/1999), Law “On the protection of personal data” (9887/2008), Law “On gender equality” (9970/2008), Electoral Code (2008), Law “On juridical assistance” (10039/2008), Law “On the protection from discrimination” (2010), Decision of the Council of Ministers “On the organization and functioning of the State Committee for Minorities”, as amended (Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 726/12, dated December 2018), National Plan for Stabilization and Association, as amended, Law “On the rights and protection of ethnic minorities”, as amened (Law No. 96/2017), NAPIRE 2016-2020, Law (no. 22/2018) “On social housing”. .

2018 Assessment Report 53 2.3. Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities

Table 11 6.1. Strengthen the capacity of local government to implement national and international human rights standards No. of trainings by central No.of local government No. of licensed CSOs dealing No.of referred cases No. of violation of human rights authorities / CSOs on officials trained on national with cases of human rights on human rights cases handled by inter-institution- national and international and international human violations in cooperation with violations al groups / Municipality human rights standards rights standards the Municipality Belsh 0 0 0 0 0 Berat 3 10 2 2 2 Bulqize 0 0 0 0 0 Cerrik 0 0 0 0 0 Delvine 1 1 0 0 0 Devoll No data No data No data No data No data Diber No data 5 2 0 0 Divjake 0 1 0 2 0 Dropull 0 0 0 0 0 Durres 0 0 3 78 78 Elbasan 5 150 3 61 61 Fier 1 1 0 0 0 Finiq 0 0 0 17 17 Fushe Arrez 8 2 2 0 0 Gjirokaster 0 0 0 0 0 Gramsh 0 0 2 35 35 Has 3 8 0 4 5 Himare 0 0 1 0 0 Kamez 0 0 0 0 0 Kavaje 4 4 1 1 1 Kelcyre 3 12 0 0 0 Klos 0 1 0 4 4 Kolonje 6 10 0 11 5 Konispol 0 0 0 0 13 Korce 0 0 0 0 0 Kruje 2 2 1 1 1 Kucove 0 0 9 24 24 Kukes 5 6 0 0 0 Kurbin 0 0 2 0 0 Lezhe No data No data No data No data No data Libohove 3 4 0 0 0 Librazhd 1 3 3 0 1 Lushnje 1 1 1 0 0 Malesi e Madhe 0 0 0 0 0 Maliq 0 0 0 0 0 Mallakaster 0 0 0 0 0 Mat 0 0 0 16 0 Memaliaj 0 0 0 0 0 Mirdite 3 12 2 2 2 Patos 0 1 0 0 12 Peqin 0 2 0 0 0 Permet 6 12 0 6 6 Pogradec 4 4 No data 0 0 Polican 1 1 0 1 1 Prrenjas 0 0 1 25 10 Puke 0 0 0 0 0 Pustec 0 0 0 No data No data Roskovec 0 0 0 0 0 Rrogozhine 0 0 0 0 0 Sarande 0 0 0 0 0 Selenice 0 0 0 0 0 Shijak 0 0 0 0 0 Shkoder 20 18 23 18 20 Skrapar 0 0 0 0 0 Tepelene 0 0 0 0 5 Tirane 2 3 24 2 2 Tropoje 3 1 1 0 0 Ura Vajgurore No data No data No data No data No data Vau I Dejes 0 0 0 0 0 Vlore 6 4 1 No data No data Vore 0 0 0 9 1

54 2018 Assessment Report 2.3. Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities

The Ombudsman has been actively pro- ■■ rights standards; 4 trainings were delivered, moting the rights of vulnerable groups, in- on average, for 27 municipalities (or 44% cluding the submission of special reports of the municipalities); 56% of the munici- and recommendations. The policy and le- palities haven’t participated in any train- gal framework on non-discrimination is ing on the human rights standards (N=57). broadly in line with European standards.27 Elbasan Municipality reported the largest number of municipal staff trained (150 persons) followed by Tirana Municipality ■■ Human rights, cultural diversity and social (145 persons). cohesion are embodied in Principle 11 of the good governance at local level, thus A total of 279 local public officials were focusing on four core concepts: (i) human trained on human rights standards (5 local rights are respected, protected and imple- officials trained, on average). mented, and discrimination on any grounds 31% of the municipalities reported that they is combated within the sphere of influence had established good cooperation with the of the local authority; (ii) cultural diversity local CSOs with regard to addressing and not isfeel regarded excluded as an; asset,(iii) swhilecontinuoocial cohesion us and the integration of disadvantaged areas are reviewing cases of human rights violations in promotedefforts are; (iv) made a toccess ensure to that essential all the local services is preserved, in particular, for the most disadvantaged parts of the population. In 2018,2018; ASPA 62% and of other the municipalities service providers didn’t have provided community has a stake in it, identify with it training to local public officials on national and internationalcases of cooperation human rights with CSOs; standards 4 municipal; 4 trainings- and do not feel excluded; (iii) social cohe- were delivered, on average, for 27 municipalitiesities (or failed 44% to of provide the municipalities); data about this indica56% -of the municipalitiession and the haven‟tintegration participated of disadvantaged in any training on the human rights standards (N=57). tor. Elbasanareas Municipalityare promoted; reported(iv) access tothe essen largest number of municipal staff trained (150 persons) followed by Tirana Municipality (145 persons). tial services is preserved, in particular, for The best experience is reported by Shkodra Total 279 localthe most public disadvantaged officials wereparts oftrained the pop on- human rightsMunicipality, standards which (5 has local signed officials 23 agreetrained- , on average). ulation. In 2018, ASPA and other service ments with the CSOs to cooperate in this area 31% of the municipalities reported that they had establishedand has good intensified cooperation the cooperation with the notlocal only CSOs with regardproviders to addressing provided trainingand reviewing to local public cases of human rights violations in 2018; 62% of the municipalitiesofficials didn‟t on have national cases and internationalof cooperation human with CSOs; with4 municipalities the CSOs, with failed which toan provideagreement data has about this indicator.

Number of local officials trained on human rights standards Graph 18

1 10 100 1000

The best experience is reported by Shkodra Municipality, which has signed 23 agreements with the CSOs27 to cooperateSource: the 2018in this EU Progress area Report, and keyhas priority intensified 5. the cooperation not only with the CSOs, with which an agreement has been signed, but also with the other CSOs, with which a cooperation agreement is not necessarily signed. A number of municipalities have reported that 2018 Assessment Report The municipality cooperates with licensed CSOs dealing with cases of they have received good support from UNDP, human rights violations 55 UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vision, etc., when dealing with human rights and Roma 7% community. 31% Yes In total, 319 cases of human rights violations were reported to the municipal services in 2018, No while 95% of those cases were handled by the 62% No inter-institutional group led by the municipal data services according to the protocols. The majority of cases reported are those related to domestic

38 2.3. Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities

been signed, but also with the other CSOs, of Europe to discuss about the European stan- with which a cooperation agreement is not dards on human rights. necessarily signed. Problems and challenges Graph 19 . Lack of awareness about human rights in society and local administration. . Very few specialized local CSOs. . Lack of the tradition of the municipal services to ask the CSOs support when handling cases on human rights violations. . Limited professional capacities of the human rights sector in local administration, combined with difficulties to attend trainings organized outside the munic- A number of municipalities have reported ipality due to the long distance in the that they have received good support from case of remote municipalities and lack UNDP, UNICEF, Save the Children, World Vi- of funds to cover the costs. sion, etc., when dealing with human rights and . Difficulties to identify the cases of viola- Roma community. tions due to the reluctance of citizens to In total, 319 cases of human rights violations report them to the municipality or other offices. were reported to the municipal services in Formatted: Font: (Default) Tw Cen MT 2018, while 95% of those cases wereCases han of- human rights. violationsEstablishment of a secure environment dled by the inter-institutional group led by for identification, reporting and follow the municipal services according Noto datathe pro- 8% up of the cases up8% to their final solution; tocols. The majority of cases reported are . Efficient and effective set-ups dealing thoseMunicipality related with to no casesdomestic of human violence, rights violations violence 59% with the elimination56% of human rights vio- against children. The Finiq Municipality relation and inter-institutional cooperation portedMunicipalities about reporting cases cases ofof human violence rights violations related to 33% when dealing with36% the violation of hu-

property rights, while Tirana Municipality is Referred Treatedman rights. more concerned about the treatment of Roma . Enhanced service quality and sustain- community regarding the specificity of the ability of municipal structures when living conditions and traditions of this com- dealing with human rights protection munity. Cooperation has been established services. between Tirana Municipality and the Council . The difficulty of integration and sustain-

Graph 20 Graph 20 Reporting on cases of human rights violations treated in 2018

40 34 30 22 20 10 5 0 Municipalities reporting on cases of human Municipalities with no reporting on cases Municipalities with no data rights violations treated of human rights violations treated

Problems and challenges 56 2018 Assessment Report . Lack of awareness about human rights in society and local administration. . Very few specialized local CSOs. . Lack of the tradition of the municipal services to ask the CSOs support when handling cases on human rights violations. . Limited professional capacities of the human rights sector in local administration, combined with difficulties to attend trainings organized outside the municipality due to the long distance in the case of remote municipalities and lack of funds to cover the costs. . Difficulties to identify the cases of violations due to the reluctance of citizens to report them to the municipality or other offices. . Establishment of a secure environment for identification, reporting and follow up of the cases up to their final solution; . Efficient and effective set-ups dealing with the elimination of human rights violation and inter- institutional cooperation when dealing with the violation of human rights. . Enhanced service quality and sustainability of municipal structures when dealing with human rights protection services. . The difficulty of integration and sustainability of Roma community in labor market, the establishment of secure and sustainable settlement and their integration in social housing schemes, due to their living traditions and high frequency of mobility across different locations.

CONCLUSIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Some efforts have been made to build the localthelocal government capacities in terms of implementing human rights standards, whereas more needs to be done to train the local administration and raise awarenessraiseawareness of local administration and community oncommunityon human rights. In 2018, ASPA and other service providers provided several trainings toprovidedseveral trainingsto local public

49 2.3. Human Rights and the Protection of Minorities

ability of Roma community in labor mar- tion is necessary in order to timely address ket, the establishment of secure and sus- the cases of human rights violations. tainable settlement and their integration Good cooperation with CSOs is reported, but in social housing schemes, due to their a very few specialized local CSOs are active, living traditions and high frequency of while no organizations exist in small municipal- mobility across different locations. ities. About 31% of the municipalities reported that they have established good cooper- CONCLUSIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS ation with the local CSOs when addressing Some efforts have been made to build the local and handling cases of human rights violations government capacities in terms of implementing in 2018. The inter-institutional group led by human rights standards, whereas more needs to the municipal services handled according to be done to train the local administration and the protocols about 95% out of 319 iden- raise a wareness of local administration and tified/referred cases of human rights viola- community on human rights. In 2018, ASPA tions. Municipalities reported that the number and other service providers provided several of CSOs specialized in dealing with human trainings to local public officials on national rights is limited. There is also a lack of under- and international human rights standards. 4 standing of traditional behavior to asks the trainings, on average, were provided to 22 CSOs support when dealing with the cases of municipalities (or 39% of the municipalities); human rights violations. 61% of the municipalities haven’t participat- Raising awareness and establishment of a se- ed in any training on the human rights stan- cure environment in municipalities, in order dards. More needs to be done to inform the to encourage citizens to report cases of vi- municipalities about the potential organiza- olations, while those including domestic vio- tions and trainings on European human rights lence and child violations. in particular, must standards, as well as about capacity building receive high attention and be in the focus of of municipal administration dealing with hu- cooperation between the municipalities and man rights issues. Increased efficiency of the CSOs activity in the future. inter-institutional coordination and coopera-

2018 Assessment Report 57 58 2018 Assessment Report 3. ECONOMIC CRITERIA

3. ECONOMIC CRITERIA

unctional market economy and the capa- Graph 21 Fbility to handle the EU competition and market forces

3.1. EXISTENCE OF A FUNCTIONAL MARKET ECONOMY

Specificobjective: Improvement of the business environment

Improving the business climate, simplification of rules and regulations, encouraging of the (GLP), which is adopted by the municipal entrepreneurship culture at all levels, im- council (N=58); 1 municipality had the strate- provement of financial crediting to SME and gic plan under the drafting process and 26% start-ups and business based on innovation of the municipalities don’t have such strategic are some of the objectives under the Na- plan at the local level yet. tional Strategy for Business and Investments A number of municipalities have adopted 2014-2020 in Albania and a priority of the more than one local development plan in- EU integration process. cluding Social Protection plan, Local Plan for Integration of Roma and Egyptian minorities. Albania has made some progress and is moderately prepared in regard to the de- Graph 22 velopment of a functional market economy. Regulations related to business remained cumbersome and the rule of law shortcomings continued to hamper businesses and deter investments. Improving the business environment requires further efforts28. The economic development is one of the main local government functions under Law 139/2015 “On the Local Self-Government”. The specific objective of this functional area is assessed against 5 performance indicators. Due to the arrears accumulated from the 67% of the municipalities have drafted, at least, one Strategic Local Development Plan previous years and limited local available

28 Source: EU Progress Report for Albania (2018)

2018 Assessment Report 59 3. ECONOMIC CRITERIA

The box below presents some good practices identified in 2018.

BOX 3: GOOD PRACTICES OF MUNICIPALITIES SUPPORT FOR SMES’ DEVELOPMENT

TiranaMunicipality has taken 10 initiatives to promote SME 2018” fair. development and start-up businesses in Tirana area in coop- Himara Municipality and Pogradec Municipality have applied eration with GIZ in 2018, including the training of 150 young differentiated fee schemes for the businesses, farmers, or busi- and adult persons. Other activities were coordinated with state nesses operating in production sectors (up to 50% of tax on institutions and business entities in the business ecosystem of buildings). Tirana; four (4) grant schemes were applied in support of 67 Kavaja Municipality has given support to small businesses by entrepreneurs and 25 commercial spaces were made available providing to them free rent premises and also guidance and to the local businesses for renting. advisory services. Fier Municipality offers intermediation services with the bank - Korça Municipality provides facilities for businesses in the area ing systems during SMEs applications for loans. of “Old Pazar; Diber Municipality has delivered training for SMEs and it has Kruja Municipality offered tax relief for SMEs active on hostel trained 15 touristic guidesin cooperation with CSOs. and agriculture tourism. Diber Municipality and Roskovec Municipality have provided Patos Municipality has applied tax and fee exemption for all small grants for SMEs development: the support in Diber was new businesses that were opened in 2018 by the students who provided to SMEs working in the area of agriculture tourism completed the studies in 2017-2018; taxand fee reduction up to while the support in Roskovec was provided to 10 SMEs run by 30% for family businesses run by war veteran families and with women. The amount of grants is up to 100, 000 Albanian Leks. people with disabilities. Berat Municipality has established the Economic Council as a Shkodra Municipality under took several initiatives in terms consultative body with a participation of 11 economic opera- of the following: (i) improving the conditions for business start tors. ups; (ii) simplifying administrative procedures; (iii) strengthen- Gramsh Municipality has stimulated participation of the SMEs ing institutional cooperation with the aim of promoting quali- in the IPA CBC Project “STEP”, which provided support to touris- fied labor; promotion and support for local business coopera- tic operators in Gramsh area to open their accounts on Trip Ad- tion through financial initiatives; creation of New BID Areas and visor and promotion of their activities in the regional networks, implementation of start up for young people within the project in addition to facilitating SMEs participation in the “Natyra Fest Yes Future IADSA Program.

sources, only 56% of the municipalities have There are three measures of support to SMEs provided supporting services for SME devel- that are mostly reported as measures to sup- opment in their municipalities in 2018. About port SMEs development: (i) organization of lo- 33% of the municipalities haven’t provided cal fairs; (ii) establishment of business facilities any specific services promoting SME devel- (open markets); and (iii) fiscal measures in the opment (N=54). Seven (7) municipalities (or form of tax reduction. In addition, some mu- 11%) haven’t provided any information or nicipalities are cooperating with CSOs to train data about this indicator. businesses, in particular, those working in tour- 43 municipalities (or 70%) reported about ism and hospitality services. Provision of small new SMEs established in their territories grants to support new SMEs or start-ups is ap- (N=58), in total 8,245 in 2018 (or 142, on plied in a very small number of municipalities. average); 24% of the municipalities have reported that no new SMEs were established Problems and challenges over the reporting period. One of the prob- . Limited municipality financial resources lems identified in the reports is the lack of a to support new business entities, through system to maintain data (register) of SMEs. competitive grant schemes that can The information on this indicator is very promote setting up of the new business vague in the major part of municipalities. This entities, and innovation-based enterprises. indicates that there is either a lack of vision . Few municipalities have provided in- on how SMEs could be supported or there is centives supporting new social business need to strengthen cooperation with them, or entities managed by young persons, the respective departments lack the account- women, and vulnerable groups and in ability to provide adequate information. rural areas.

60 2018 Assessment Report 3. ECONOMIC CRITERIA

. Municipality support to SME develop- About 8,245 new SMEs (or 142, on average) ment should be included in the local were set up in 2018. budget/MTBP. . Enhancing the business environment by Municipalities have limited financial resources providing qualitative services in order to support new business entities through com- to make the cities and regions more petitive grant schemes that can promote set- attractive for domestic and foreign ting up of the new business entities, and inno- investments and increase Albanian com- vation-based enterprises. About 33% of the petition in the region. municipalities haven’t provided any specific services, which promote SME development. Several municipalities have applied tax re- CONCLUSIONS ON THE EXISTENCE OF A lief to support, in particular, women-led FUNCTIONING MARKET ECONOMY SMEs. Few municipalities have provided in- centives supporting new social business enti- Support to SMEs has made some progress, ties managed by young persons, women, and with some good practices established; howev- vulnerable groups and in rural areas. er, such support needs to be provided by all municipalities. The economic development is Better and more supportive business involve- one of the main local government functions ment at the national level. Local support to under Law 139/2015 “On Local Self-Gov- SMEs must be considered also in the frame- ernment”. About 67% of the municipalities work of enhancing the overall business en- have drafted, at least, one Strategic Local vironment through providing qualitative ser- Development Plan improving the business vices in order to make the cities and regions environment; 26% of the municipalities had more attractive for domestic and foreign in- failed to develop such strategic plan and vestments and increase Albanian competition to have it adoptedby the municipal council. in the region.

2018 Assessment Report 61 62 2018 Assessment Report 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Ability to take over the accession commitments, municipalities didn’t provide any data about in particular, the ability to effectively imple- this indicator. ment the rules, standards, and policies of the acquis, as well as the commitment to political, The average local fund allocated for agricul- economic and monetary union. tural and rural development was about 9% of the municipality budget in85% of the mu- 4.1. Chapter 11: Agriculture and nicipalities in 2018 (N=52); 16 municipalities Rural Development have reported that they didn’t allocate any budget for the sector. The common agricultural policy supports About 15% of the municipalities have report- farmers and rural development. This requires ed either incorrect data or no data at all. The strong management and control systems, com- graph shows that the municipalities of Div- mon EU rules for quality policy and organic jake and Dropull have allocated 50%-80% farming. In the EU integration process, the of the overall local budget budget for rural Albanian authorities among other import- development, which is a questionable issue. ant priorities, should, in particular: (i) plan and allocate resources for improving farm Graph 23 and animal registers and use of available agricultural statistics in policy-making; (ii) complete the reform of the advisory system in agriculture in order to strengthen the growth of investment in agriculture and agro-processing; (iii) complete the legal, institutional and administrative framework for organic products, protected designa- tion of origin and protected geographical indication29.

Specific objective (11.1): Local administration capacity building in the agricultural and rural development and advisory system Until the end 2018, Agricultural Information and Advisory Office (AIAO) have been established in 34 municipalities (or 56% of them), while it hasn’t been established in 41% of the rest of the municipalities (N=59); 3%

29 Source: 2018 EU Progress Report for Albania, chapter 11.

2018 Assessment Report 63 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Table 12 11.1. Strengthen the capacities of local administration in the agricultural and rural information and advice system Establishment of the Agricultural Informa- The Municipality budget ratio for Local No.of staff training of the Agricultural Informa- tion Office and Advisory Office Rural Development in the reporting tion Office and Advisory Office30 year (in%) Belsh Yes 10.00% 0 Berat Yes 5.00% 3 Bulqize No 10.00% 0 Cerrik Yes 8.00% 2 Delvine Yes 0.00% 0 Devoll Yes 0.01% 0 Diber No 2.00% 0 Divjake Yes 80.00% 2 Dropull No 50.00% 0 Durres No 15.90% 0 Elbasan Yes 38.00% 6 Fier Yes No data 5 Finiq No 3.20% 4 Fushe Arrez No 35.00% 4 Gjirokaster Yes 3.50% 2 Gramsh Yes 0.31% 2 Has Yes 1.20% 1 Himare Yes 3.70% 3 Kamez No 0.00% 0 Kavaje No 0.60% 0 Kelcyre Yes 0.00% 2 Klos Yes 4.90% 1 Kolonje Yes 23.00% 0 Konispol Yes 10.00% 0 Korce No 14,497,000 leke 0 Kruje Yes 38.00% 1 Kucove Yes 0.03% 4 Kukes No 0.20% 3 Kurbin Yes 5.00% 0 Lezhe No data No data No data Libohove No No data 4 Librazhd Yes 8.30% 1 Lushnje No 31.60% 0 Malesi e Madhe Yes No data No data Maliq Yes 0.00% 5 Mallakaster No 3.70% 0 Mat No Jo 0 Memaliaj No data No data No data Mirdite Yes 30.00% 2 Patos No 1.69% 5 Peqin Yes 7.80% 0 Permet Yes 8.60% 2 Pogradec Yes 3.10% 10 Polican Yes 0.00% 4 Prrenjas No 3.30% 0 Puke No 0.00% 0 Pustec No No data No data Roskovec No 6.20% 0 Rrogozhine No 0.00% 0 Sarande Yes 10.00% 2 Selenice Yes 0.00% 2 Shijak No 1.65% 0 Shkoder Yes 3.10% 6 Skrapar No 4.44% 0 Tepelene No 0.00% 0 Tirane Yes 0.00% 1 Tropoje No 0.05% 0 Ura Vajgurore No 5.70% 0 Vau I Dejes Yes 0.20% 5 Vlore Yes Yes 1 Vore Yes 2.40% 6

30 On national priorities in the agriculture and rural development sector in line with the EU integration process (competitiveness of the agricultural sector and improvement of production techniques, IPARD and fisheries)

64 2018 Assessment Report 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Graph 24 Local fund for rural development (in %)

No accurate data (9 Municipalities)

0 % fonds (16 Municipalities)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

In 2018, only 51% of the municipalities have participated in trainings related to the national priorities In 2018, only 51% of the municipalities have ment, improving production techniques and regarding the agriculture and rural development sector, including, among others, the competitiveness, participated in trainings related to the na- fishing (N=61); trainings attended varies IPARD management, improving production techniques and fishing (N=61); trainings attended varies fromtional 1 or priorities 2 training regarding up to 10 the trainings agriculture attended and by the stafffrom in 1the or case2 training of Pogradec up to 10 Municipality. trainings at - rural development sector, including, among tended by the staff in the case of Pogradec others, the competitiveness, IPARD manage- Municipality.

2018 Assessment Report 65

46 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Graph 25 Trainings in the national priorities for the agriculture and rural development sector

0 2 4 6 8 10 12

The results of a survey about the progress 2014-2020 and in harmony with spe- The results of a survey about the progress and results achieved as part of the mid-term review of NCCSDLG,and results May achieved-August as part2018 of29 the, and mid-term specifically cific local opportunities. review of NCCSDLG, May-August 201831, . Cooperation with the advisory organi- about the impact of the irrigation and drainage Irrigation & drainage system managementand specifically after aboutit wasthe impacttransferred of the ir- to the zations specializedN=51 in the area. municipalities,rigation and has drainage shown themanagement following : after76% of the . Completion of AMTP registration respondentsit was transferred rated the to impact the municipalities, of this function has “as very allowing all the farmers to obtain the goodshown impact/and the following: good 76% ofimpact”, the respondents and 22% as certificate of land ownership. “little/andrated the no impactimpact”. of this function “as very . Poor road infrastructure in remoteVery goodrural impact good impact/and good impact”, and 22% areas is an obstacle for rural develop-Quite a lot Problemsas “little/and and challenges no impact”. ment. Little impact Not all all . Low political commitment of some Problems and challenges municipalities that have failed to set up Graph 26 . AIAOLow political in line commitmentwith national of priority. some . Limitedmunicipalities municipality that have financial failed toand set human up resourcesAIAO in line to withstrengthening national priority. the role of AIAO in their territory. .. LackLimited of municipalitystrategic policies financial in agriculture and hu- and rural development at the local level in line with Crosscuttingman resources Strategy to strengthening for Agricultural the role and Rural Development 2014-2020 and in harmony with specificof AIAO local in their opportunities. territory. .. CoopLack oferation strategic with policies the advisory in agriculture organization s specialized in the area. . Completionand rural development of Land Deeds at the registration local allowing all the farmers to obtain the certificate of land ownership.level in line with Crosscutting Strategy . Poorfor Agricultural road infrastructure and Rural inDevelopment remote rural areas is an obstacle for rural development.

31Specific The objective: survey was supportedImprovement by dldp /of ASLG productivity and competitiveness in the agriculture sector, improvement of rural infrastructure, balanced territorial and economic development of rural areas

66 2018 Assessment Report

29The survey was supported by dldp / ASLG

47 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Specific objective: Improvement of productivi- The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop- ty and competitiveness in the agriculture sector, ment supported all the municipalities with new improvement of rural infrastructure, balanced excavators and investment in some pumping territorial and economic development of rural stations. areas Results of the survey32, which was carried out Improving productivity, competitiveness and in a sample of municipalities, about the man- quality standards is both, a strategic objec- agement of this newly transferred function tive of the CSARD 2014-2020 and common showed improvement in terms of municipality EU integration priority. Improving irrigation territorial coverage and increased efficien- and drainage network and its management cy of the use of the available resources (im- is crucial for the agricultural sector develop- provement in 2018, 2017 vs 2015). ment. The performance indicators related to this The Government of Albania transferred this specific objective include: (i) improvement of function in 2016 to the LGUinline with the de- the irrigation system as % of the overall mu- Improving productivity, competitiveness and quality standards is both, a strategic objective of the CSARDcentralization 2014-2020 reform and process; common the EUassets, integration human priority. nicipalImproving irrigation irrigation network and fordrainage the reporting network and andits management financial resources is crucial were for transferred the agricultural to all sector development.period; (ii) improvement of the drainage sys-

The Governmentthe municipalities of Albania to exercise transferred this function. this About funct ion in 2016tem to asthe % LGU of thein line overall with municipalthe decentralization drainage reform267 process public ; employeesthe assets, were human transferred and financial from resources network;were transferred (iii) number to allof grantsthe municipalities provided to to exercise this function. About 267 public employees were transferred from the central government (Regionalthe central Directorates government of (RegionalIrrigation Directoratesand Drainage Boards)local to farmers61 Municipalities, for agriculture which and adaptedrural devel the- existing management structures. The Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development supported all the municipalitiesof Irrigation with and new Drainage excavator Boards)s and to investment 61 Mu- in some pumpingopment. stations. nicipalities, which adapted the existing man- Results of the survey30, which was carried out in a sample of municipalities, about the management of this newlyagement transferred structures. function showed improvement in terms of municipality territorial coverage and increased efficiency of the use of the available resources (improvement in 2018, 2017 vs 2015).

The performance indicators related to this specific objective include: (i) improvement of the irrigation system as % of the overall municipal irrigation network for the reporting period; (ii) improvement of the drainage system as % of the overall municipal drainage network; (iii) number of grants provided to local farmers for agriculture and rural development. Graph 27 Performance in management of Irrigation and Drainage network (in %)

Rrjeti I kullimit Rrjeti I ujitjes

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

. The whole irrigation network managed/improved by the municipality services was 38%, on 32 average,Helvetass Swiss in Interoperation/dldp 2018 (N=53) 31Survey. The (2017-2018) range of irrigation network management varies from 2.5% (the lowest percentage) to 100% (maximum percentage) for Kavaja Municipality. The

30 Helvetass Swiss Interoperation/dldp Survey (2017-2018) 31 The data collected from the municipalities did not show quite well the execution of this function. 2018 Assessment Report 67

48 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

. The whole irrigation network managed/ products, agriculture business develop- improved by the municipality ser- ment, agriculture tourism and innovation vices was 38%, on average, in 2018 based enterprises in the rural area. (N=53)33. The range of irrigation net- . Lack of collection points for agricultural work management varies from 2.5% (the products that provide an adequate stan- lowest percentage) to 100% (maximum dard of storing the agricultural products. percentage) for Kavaja Municipality. The municipalities of Berat, Rrogozhinë, Graph 28 Kamëz, Dropull, reported 0%, while municipalities of Kukës, Dibër, Malësia e Madhe, Pustec, Memaliaj, Tirane and Vlore reported that “no data are available”. . 44% of the local network was maintained or improved, on average, in 2018 when referring to the drainage network management. The range of irrigation network management varies from 3% (Lezha), which is the lowest percentage, up to 100% (maximum percentage) in Specific objective (11.3): Implementing the Korcë, Kavajë, Librazhd, and Tepelenë LEADER approach municipalities. Kukës, Kuçova, Pustec, and Vlore municipalities reported that The LEADER approach is associated with “no data are available”. local empowerment through local strategy . About 84% of the municipalities have development and resource allocation. The reported that they hadn’t provided main tool for the application of the LEAD- any grants from the local budget to lo- ER approach to area development and in- cal farmers. Divjakë, Konispol, Mirditë, volvement of local representatives in deci- Vlorë, and Finiq municipalities have re- sion-making is the Local Action Group (LAG). ported that they had supported local Local Action Groups are established through farmers through grant schemes from the the partnership between the public sector, municipal budget to promote agricultur- private sector and civil society. The purpose is al products, agriculture business devel- to support farmers and other relevant stake- opment, agriculture tourism and innova- holders through drafting and implementing tion based enterprises in the rural area. the rural development integrated strategy. This approach is not consolidated across all Problems and challenges municipalities. . Increased allocation of the financial and Local Action Groups were set up only in 15 technical sources to improve the irriga- municipalities (or 25%) in 2018, while seven tion and drainage system. (7) municipalities (or 11%) didn’t provide . Extended cooperation with neighboring any data about this indicator. municipalities to ensure effective management of the irrigation and drainage Specificobjective (11.4): Acceleration of Land systems (networks). Properties Registration (AMTP) . Municipalities allocate very limited funds 49% was the cumulative average of the Land from their own budget to competitive Deeds, which were registered by the munic- grant schemes to promote agricultural ipalities in 2018, compared to the overall

33 The data collected from the municipalities did not show quite well the execution of this function.

68 2018 Assessment Report 4. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP OBLIGATIONS

Graph 29 Cumulative data on AMTP 17 14 14

0% - 30% 31% - 60% 61% - 80% 81% - 100%

Only 3 municipalities have registered 61% to 80% of the Land Deeds, while 14 municipalities have a registrationnumber percentage,of Land Deeds which at nationalvaries from level; 81% to 100%.Plan of the NCCSDLG. about 28% of the municipalities (N=61) Cumulative data on AMTPOnly 3 municipalities have registered have reported17 either incorrectThe data number or (cumulative) no of ownership titles recorded (AMTP) 14 61% to 80% of the Land Deeds,14 while 14 data at all. It shows that the registrationagainst the total number (in %) municipalities have a registration percent- process is behind schedule of the Action 3 age, which varies from 81% to 100%. 0% - 30% 31% - 60% 61% - 80% 81% - 100% No data Only 3 municipalities have registered 61% to 80% of(12 theMunicipalities) Land Deeds, while 14 municipalities have a registration percentage, which varies from 81% to 100%.

The number (cumulative) of ownership titles recorded (AMTP) Graph 30 against the total number (in %)

No data (12 Municipalities)

Reported 0% (5 Municipalities)

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

ProblemsProblems and and challenges challenges Reportedinformation 0% (5 Municipalities system) and rural and agricultural . Awareness-raising among the municipalities about LEADER approach and LAG role. 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 counseling,0.5 as 0.6well as the0.7 improvement0.8 of0.9 ru- 1 . . Awareness-raisingEnhancing operability among and the functioningmunicipal- of the existing LAG. . Full registration of the Land Deeds by the municipalral infrastructure. services. Agricultural Information and ities about LEADER approach and LAG CONCLUSIONS ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENTAdvisory Offices (AIAO) have been -estab Problemsrole. and challenges Some progress has been made towards local governmentlished capacit in 56%y building of municipalities. in relation to Only the 58%information . Enhancing operability and functioning system. andAwareness- rural and agriculturalraising among counseling, the municipalities as well as abouttheof improvement the LEADER municipalities approach of rural participated infrastructure.and LAG in role capacity .Agricultural Informationof the and existing Advisory LAG. Offices (AIAO) have been established in 56% of municipalities. Only 58% of the municipalities. Enhancing participatedoperability andin functioningcapacity building of the existing buildingprograms. LAG. programs. Despite Despite some someprogress progress achieved concerning. Full performanceregistration of inthe terms Land Deedsof exercising by the new functions decentralized in 2016, the average . Full registration of the Land Deeds by the municipalachieved services. concerning performance in terms of the municipal services. exercising the new functions decentralized in CONCLUSIONS ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT 50 CONCLUSIONS ON AGRICULTURE 2016, the average percentageof the whole irrigation network, which was maintained/or SomeAND progress RURAL ha DEVELOPMENTs been made towards local government capacity building in relation to the information system and rural and agricultural counseling, as well as theimproved improvement by the municipalof rural infrastructure. services in 2018, Agricultural InformationSome progress and hasAdvisory been madeOffice towardss (AIAO) local have been establishedwas 38%, whilein 56% for of the municipalities. irrigation network Only it 58% of thegovernment municipalities capacity participated building in relation in capacity to the buildingwas programs. 44%. Despite some progress achieved concerning performance in terms of exercising the new functions decentralized in 2016, the average

2018 Assessment Report 69 50 4.2. Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies

Application of LEADER approach and Land the site. Following the Government strategic properties registration is progressing very slow- policy34, the local Government Units in coop- ly. About 64% of the municipalities hadn’t set eration with the competent central authority up the LAG until the end of 2018. The Land have joint responsibilities in terms of ensuring properties registration (AMTP) is around food safety of the citizens. 49%, on average, at the national level; 3 Specific objective: Improvement of sanitary municipalities have registered 61% to 80% and veterinary conditions in order to protect of the overall number of AMTP, while 14 mu- consumers ‘health percentagenicipalities of have the registeredwhole irrigation 81% to 100%network of, which was maintained/or improved by the municipal servicesthem. in 2018, was 38%, while for the irrigation network This it specificwas 44%. objectiv e is assessed through five performance indicators. Application of LEADER approach and Land Deeds registration is progressing very slowly. About 64% of the 4.2.municipalities Chapter 12: hadn‟t Food set safety, up the veterinaryLAG until the end of 2018. The T heav Laeragend D numbereeds registration of food safety is around inspec 49%- , on average,and phytosanitary at the national policies level; 3 municipalities have registeredtors35 across 61% all tothe 80% municipalities of the overall (N=59) number of Land Deeds, while 14 municipalities have registered 81%ranged to 100% between of them3-4 . in 2018. Five municipalities (or 8%) didn’t provide correct data The4.2. amendedChapter law12: Foodon “On safety, the Veterinary veterinary and phytosanitary policies Service in the Republic of Albania (Law or provided no data at all (N=61) about this

10465/2011) defines the role and tasks to indicator. The amended law on “On the Veterinary Service in the Republic of Albania (Law 10465/2011) defines the Localrole and government tasks to LocalUnits, governmentwhich are responsi Units, -which are responsible to: (i) cooperate with the competent ble to: (i) cooperate with the competent au- authority and other offices of the regional veterinary. service52% of regarding the municipalities the implementation have reported of prophylacticthority and measures other offices; (ii) takeof the measure regional tovet -reduce and eradicate infectious diseases in animals; (iii) that they have 1 veterinarian, on aver- complyerinary with service the requirements regarding the ofimplementation the law on the control of street dogs and cats; (iv) determine the locationsof prophylactic of landfills measures; or collection (ii) take sites measureof dead animals and cooperateage (N=32); in aroundorder to43% eliminat of thee municthem,- and taketo measures reduce and to fenceeradicate and infectiousprotect waste diseases collection sites andipalities the landfill didn’t of have dead any animals veterinarian and prevent in otherin aanimals;nimals from(iii) comply entering with the the site. requirements Following the Government2018; strategic 5% ofpolicy the 32municipalities, the local Government didn’t Unitsof in the cooperation law on the withcontrol the of competent street dogs central and authority haveprovide joint responsibilities any data. in terms of ensuring foodcats; safety (iv) ofdetermine the citizens the. locations of landfills About 23% of the municipalities have had li- Specificor collection objective: sites Improvement of dead animals of sanitary and andco- veterinary conditionscensed markets in order for totrading protect livestock consumers in 2018;’ health operate in order to eliminate them, and take This specific objective is assessed through five performancewhile indicators 69% reported. that they didn’t have measures to fence and protect waste collec- licensed market in their jurisdiction. 28% of tion The sites average and the landfillnumber of of food dead safety animals inspectors 33the across municipalities all the municipalit(N=61) haveies reported (N=59) casranged- between 3-4 in 2018. Five municipalities (or 8%) didn‟t provide correct data or provided no Graph 31 Number of Inspectors on Food Safety

30 25 20 15 0 (3 inspectors

10 Municipalities) Municipalities)

5 not Data correct (2 0

data at all (N=61) about this indicator. and prevent other animals from entering es of violations of food and veterinary safe- 34 . The52% Cross-cutting of the municipalitiesStrategy for Agricultural have and reported Rural Development, that they2014-2020. have 1, veterinarian, on average (N=32); 35 The indicator on the number of veterinary inspectors at the municipality level will not be valid in 2019 due to the amendment of the Law 10465 / 2011around “On Veterinary 43% Service”. of the municipalities didn‟t have any veterinarian in 2018; 5% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any data.

70 2018 Assessment Report

32The Cross-cutting Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development, 2014-2020. 33The indicator on the number of veterinary inspectors at the municipality level will not be valid in 2019 due to the amendment of the Law 10465 / 2011 “On Veterinary Service”.

51 4.2. Chapter 12: Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies

Graph 32

Number veterinarians in live animal markets in relation to total number of markets (%)

5 4 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 1.5 1.12 0.7511111111111111 1 1.12 000000000000000000000000000.1428571430.250.25 0 0 0 Has Fier Mat Klos Vore Puke Finiq Berat Patos Belsh Peqin Kruje Diber Vlore Maliq Lezhe Korce Shijak Cerrik Kukes Tirane Pustec Devoll Durres Kavaje Kurbin Kamez Permet Himare Mirdite Polican Bulqize Dropull Kucove Delvine Kelcyre Divjake Skrapar Elbasan Gramsh Tropoje Lushnje Kolonje Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Selenice Librazhd Konispol Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj Libohove Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I Vau Dejes Fushe Arrez Fushe Ura Vajgurore Malesi Malesi e Madhe

About 23% of the municipalities have had licensed markets for trading livestock in 2018, while 69% ty, while 66% of them have reported no cas- garding food retail markets. This function of reported that they didn‟t have licensed market in their jurisdiction. 28% of the municipalities (N=61) es of standards’ violations. About 6% of the the LGUs is assessed by a fifth performance have reported cases of violations of food and veterinary safety, while 66% of them have reported no municipalities didn’t provide any data. indicator, which has been agreed with the cases of standards‟ violations. About 6% of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop- the municipalitiesLaw no. 139/2015 didn‟t provide “On Local any Self-Govern data. - Reported violations concerning food and veterinary ment, which is defined as the number of li- ment” provides for the supervisory role re- safety Law no. 139/2015 “On Local Self- censed food retail markets by the municipal- 6% No. of Municipalities Government” provides for the supervisoryGraph 33 ity services against the total withoutnumber reported of food role regarding food retail markets. This retail markets in the municipality.violations function of the LGUs is assessed by a fifth No. of Municipalities 43%28% of the municipalities failed to fulfill the performance indicator, which has been with reported violations agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture and standards of the food retail markets in 2018,; No data Rural Development, which is defined as the 25% of the municipalities66% have reported that number of licensed food retail markets by all their retail markets are in line with the re- the municipality services against the total quired standards, while 18% of them (N=61) number of food retail markets in the municipality. ensured only partial standards. Problems and challenges Licensed markest/Total markets . Inspection capacity building of the mu- 120.00% Graph 34

100.00% Licensed markets 100% - 11 Municipalities Licensed markets > 50% - 3 Municipalities 80.00%

60.00%

40.00% No data No 20.00%

0.00% Mat Fier Has Klos Vore Finiq Puke Kruje Vlore Diber Maliq Berat Belsh Peqin Patos Korce Cerrik Lezhe Shijak Devoll Kukes Tirane Kurbin Durres Mirdite Kavaje Pustec Kamez Dropull Himare Permet Bulqize Polican Divjake Delvine Kolonje Kelcyre Kucove Tropoje Skrapar Lushnje Gramsh Elbasan Prrenjas Shkoder Sarande Konispol Librazhd Selenice Memaliaj Libohove Tepelene Pogradec Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I Dejes Fushe Arrez Ura Vajgurore Ura Malesi e e Malesi Madhe

43% of the municipalities failed to fulfill the standards of the food retail markets in 2018,; 25% of the municipalities have reported that all their retail markets are in line with the required standards, while 18% of them (N=61) ensured only partial standards.

2018 Assessment Report 71

52 4.3. Chapter 14: Transportation Policy

Graph 35

nicipalities under the amended legisla- 4.3. Chapter 14: Transportation Policy tion on veterinary service. . Inspection capacity building of the mu- The strategic objectives of 2016-2020 on nicipality in relation to local food retail the national sectoral policy level are focused markets. on completion of the reconstruction of the na- . Licensing of all food retail markets in tional road network, maintenance manage- all municipalities in compliance with the ment and improving the road safety (reduc- standards. ing the number of accidents and the black . Cooperation with the competent au- spots). thority and regional offices to ensure citizens food safety. The EU financial sources (IPA funding) for . Limited financial resources to opening the transport sector supportthe development shelters for stray animals. of an efficient transport system in Albania, which needs to be integrated with the WB CONCLUSIONS ON FOOD SAFETY, region and the EU network. Such integrated VETERINARY AND PHYTOSANITARY transport system is important to drive eco- POLICIES nomic development and enhance the citizens’ life quality. Increasing sustainability and effi- Improvement of sanitary and veterinary con- ciency in the management of road transport, ditions in order to protect consumers’ health implementation of standards of maintenance remains still a concern. Around 43% of the and security, administrative capacity building municipalities didn’t have any veterinarian in forro ads construction and maintenance man- 2018; 23% of the municipalities have had agement at the central and regional level licensed markets for trading livestock, while are other key objectives of the EU funding 69% reported that they had no licensed for the transport sector. market in their jurisdiction; 28% of the mu- The function of the rural road management nicipalities reported cases of violations of and secondary road network was trans- food and veterinary safety. Concerning com- ferred to the municipalities as of 01 January pliance with standards, around 43% of the 2016 in line with the decentralization reform municipalities failed to fulfill standards of the process36. The assets of the central offices food retail markets; 25% of the municipali- (Regional Councils) including technical means ties have reported that all their retail mar- and human and financial resources were kets are in line with the required standards. transferred to the municipalities including

36 Government of Albania, Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 127/2015 “On transferring some functions to the LGUs”.

72 2018 Assessment Report 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

2000 public employees. . 33%, on average, of the existing rural network of the municipalities complied The results of a study “On the performance with the road standards in 2018. This of new local government functions” (2018) indicator ranged from the lowest lev- shows that the transport sector performance el of 0%39 to the highest one of 92%. indicators used for the rural transport reveals About 5% (or 3 municipalities) didn’t improvements (2016/2017 compared to provide any data related to this indica- 2015). The pool of LGUs, which were subject tor (N=57). to the study, showed en hanced performance during 2016-2018 concerning public trans- . 35%, on average, (N=57) of the sec- port and transport lines37. ondary and tertiary road network of the municipalities (excluding the national Specific objective: Increase road safety at the roads) complied with the road signage local level standards. This specific objective is assessed through 8 81%, on average, of the villages of the mu- performance indicators, which are defined nicipalities against the overall number of in consultation with the Ministry of Infrastruc- the villages of the municipalities were linked ture and Energy’s experts and in line with the through the existing road network to the mu- Specific objective:sector performanceIncrease road indicators safety atregarding the local the level nicipalities’ center in 2018, while 78% of the This specificright objective definition. is assessed through 8 performance indicatorsvillages were, which linked are betweendefined them in consultation through with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy‟s experts andthe existingin line roadwith network.the sector This performance indicator indicators regarding. 52%, theon average, right definition. of the existing urban ranged from 20% to 100% of the overall . 52%, onnetwork average, of the of municipalities the existing compliedurban n etwork of the municipalities complied with the road standardswith inthe 2018 road. Thisstandards indicator in 2018. ranged This from the numberlowest oflevel villages of %of36 the to municipalities. the highest one of 100%. About 5% (or 3 municipalities) didn‟t provide any data related to this indicator (N=57). indicator ranged from the lowest lev- Budget allocation for road maintenance in . 33%, on average,38 of the existing rural network of the municipalities complied with the road standardsel of in %2018. to the This highest indicator one ofranged 100%. from the lowest2018 was level at aof low 0% level.37 to 8.6%, the higheston average, one of 92%. AboutAbout 5%5% (or(or 3 3 municipalities) municipalities) didn‟tdidn’t provide anyof the data municipality related tooverall this indicatorbudget was (N=5 allo7)- . . 35%, onprovide average, any data (N=57) related of to the this indicasecondary- and tertiarycated for road the roadnetwork maintenance. of the municipalit The max- ies (excluding the national roads complied with the road signage standards. tor (N=57). imum percentage of the indicator (30% of

Graph 36 Road network compliance with legal standards 1.2

0.8

0.6 data No

0.4

0.2

0 Has Fier Mat Klos Puke Vore Finiq Berat Patos Peqin Kruje Belsh Diber Vlore Maliq Lezhe Korce Shijak Cerrik Kukes Tirane Pustec Devoll Durres Kurbin Kavaje Kamez Permet Himare Polican Mirdite Bulqize Dropull Kucove Divjake Delvine Kelcyre Skrapar Elbasan Gramsh Tropoje Lushnje Kolonje Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Selenice Librazhd Konispol Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj Libohove Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I Vau Dejes Fushe Arrez Fushe Ura Vajgurore Malesi Malesi e Madhe urban network, average compatibility - 51.9 % rural network, average compatibility - 33 % signage, average compatibility - 35 %

81%, on average, of the villages of the municipalities against the overall number of the villages of the municipalit37 ies were Source: linked The study through report “On thethe performance existing of road new local network government to functions”, the municipalit O. Shapo (2018)ies‟ center in 2018, while 78% of38 the villages Fushë-Arr wereëz and Maliqlinked municipalities. between them through the existing road network. This indicator ranged from 2039% to 100 Maliq,% Puk ofë andthe Cërrik overall municipalities. number of villages of the municipalities. Budget allocation for road maintenance in 2018 was at a low level. 8.6%, on average, of the municipality overall budget was allocated for the road maintenance. The maximum percentage of the indicator (30% of the municipality budget) seems overestimated. About 15% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any data. 2018 Assessment Report 73

. Funding for road reconstruction varied from 0% to 34%38 of municipality budget among the municipalities; 8.8% was the average percentage of the overall municipality budget in 2018.

36 Fushë-Arrëz and Maliq municipalities. 37 Maliq, Pukë and Cërrik municipalities.

54 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

. 6.82%, on average, was the budget allocation for road safety compared to the municipalities allocation for the transport sector (N=56). Graph 37 Local budget for Roads Management (as % of the municipality budget) 100%

90% Mirembajtja e rrugeve, Buxheti mesatar - 8.58 % Ndertimi I rrugeve, Buxheti mesatar - 18.77 % 80% Siguri rrugore, Buxheti mesatar - 6.82 % 70%

60%

50% data 40%

30%

20% correct No data/or no

10%

0% … … Ura Mat Has Fier Klos Vore Puke Finiq Vlore Berat Kruje Patos Maliq Peqin Diber Belsh Korce Lezhe Devoll Kukes Cerrik Tirane Shijak Kavaje Kamez Pustec Durres Kurbin Permet Mirdite Kucove Polican Kelcyre Himare Bulqize Kolonje Delvine Divjake Dropull Skrapar Lushnje Gramsh Elbasan Malesi e Selenice Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Konispol Tepelene Librazhd Libohove Pogradec Memaliaj Roskovec Rrogozhine Gjirokaster Mallakaster Fushe Arrez the municipality budget) seems overestimat- . 8.8% was the average percentage of 14.1.ed. Increasing About road 15% safety of at the the localmunicipalities level didn’t the overall municipality budget in 2018. provide any data.% of the % of the % of the No. of villages No. of AUs The ratio of Percentage of Road Safety existing existing existing connected to the. 6.82%,villages on average,Local wasLocal budgetthe budgetbudget ratio . Funding forurban road road reconstructionrural road road varied center of the allocationconnected forbudget road for safetyfor construction compared to Local Fund network in 40 network in network in Municipality between them road / rehabilitation for Transport from 0% accordanceto 34% ofaccordance municipality compliance bud- through the tothrough the the municipalities maintenanc allocationof roads in for theSector (in%) get amongwith the road municipalities; with road with existing road transportexisting road sectore in (N=56).Municipality standards standards standards network versus network Municipality budget in of signaling the total no. of against the Budget in 2018 villages (%) total number of 2018 villages (in%) Belsh 100.0% 70.0% 100.0% 100.0% 76.0% 10.0% 10.0% 5.0% Berat 50.0% 40.0% 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% 8.0% 42.0% 0.3% Bulqize 24.0% 90.0% 11.0% 96.0% 5600.0% 3.0% 45.0% 5.0% Cerrik 20.0% 0.0% 10.0% 8570.0% 8750.0% 194.0% 1300.0% 1940.0% Delvine 50.0% 40.0% 60.0% 100.0% 100.0% 4.9% 40.0% 0.0% Devoll 40.0% 80.0% 40.0% 100.0% 100.0% 22.0% 22.0% 0.0% Diber 20-30% 20-30% 50-60% 100.0% 70.0% 1.9% 0.0% No data Divjake 45.0% 70.0% 30.0% 100.0% 100.0% 146.0% 1560.0% 0.0% Dropull 36.0% 27.0% 9.0% 72.0% 65.0% 83.0% 99.4% 0.0% Durres 85.0% 78.0% 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% 2.0% 32.6% 0.0% Elbasan 36.5% 6.6% 16.3% 99.0% 80.0% 1.0% 17.2% 18.0% Fier 92.0% 92.0% 60.0% 95.0% 82.0% 21000000 7000000000. 300000000. 00.0% 0% 0% Finiq 3.0% 26.3% 8.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.2% 2.2% 0.0% Fushe Arrez 0.0% 20.0% 20.0% 90.0% 90.0% 2.0% 6.0% 0.0% Gjirokaster 80.0% 55.0% 45.0% 57..0% 4700.0% 2.0% 19.0% 0.0% Gramsh 100.0% 80.0% 50.0% 33.0% 15.0% 9.0% 16.0% 0.0% Has 70.0% 40.0% 10.0% 80.0% 80.0% 6.0% 6.0% 0.0% Himare 10.0% 5.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 1.9% 25.0% 25.0% Kamez 65.0% 60.0% 30.0% 90.0% 90.0% 10.0% 3.0% 1.5% Kavaje 100.0% 60.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 13.0% 11.0% 76.0% Kelcyre 53.0% 0.0% 8.0% 48.0% 48.0% 16.0% 6.6% 0.0% Klos 20.0% 10.0% 15.0% 95.0% 100.0% 8.0% 23.0% 2.0% Kolonje 100.0% 21.0% 13.0% 43.0% 43.0% 4.0% 0.8% 0.0% Konispol 2.0% 9.0% 3.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.1% 3.0% 0.0% Korce 44.8% 47.3% 32.4% 95.5% 100.0% 64567400 28.000.000 0.0% Kruje 45.0% 15.0% 45.0% 40/50 40/50 10.0% 48.0% 0.7% Kucove 56.0% 56.0% 42.0% 75.0% 75.0% 3.5% 20.9% 27.8% Kukes 80.0% 23.3% 60.0% 83.0% 65.0% 100.0% 100.0% 9.2% 40Kurbin Mallakaster Municipality80.0% 30.0% 40.0% 20.0% 66.7% 0.3% 1.5% 1.0% Lezhe 35.0% 40.0% 70.0% 95.0% No data No data No data No data Libohove 25.0% 30.0% 30.0% 100.0% 100.0% 4.7% 55.2% 0.0% Librazhd 80.0% 35.0% 50.0% 96.0% 65.0% 5.7% 16.0% 0.0% Lushnje 80.0% 25.0% 12.0% 100.0% 100.0% 7.4% 19.7% 23.1%

7438Mallakaster Municipality 2018 Assessment Report

55 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

Tabela 13 14.1. Increasing road safety at the local level % of the exist- % of the % of the No. of villages con- No. of AUs The ratio of Local Percentage of Road Safety ing urban road existing rural existing road nected to the center villages connected budget for road Local budget for budget ratio to network in road network network in of the Municipality between them maintenance construction / Local Fund for accordance with in accordance compliance through the existing through the exist- in Municipality rehabilitation of Transport Sector road standards with road with standards road network versus ing road network Budget in 2018 roads in Munici- (in%) standards of signaling the total no. of against the total pality budget in villages (%) number of villages 2018 (in%) Belsh 100.0% 70.0% 100.0% 100.0% 76.0% 10.0% 10.0% 5.0% Berat 50.0% 40.0% 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% 8.0% 42.0% 0.3% Bulqize 24.0% 90.0% 11.0% 96.0% 5600.0% 3.0% 45.0% 5.0% Cerrik 20.0% 0.0% 10.0% 8570.0% 8750.0% 194.0% 1300.0% 1940.0% Delvine 50.0% 40.0% 60.0% 100.0% 100.0% 4.9% 40.0% 0.0% Devoll 40.0% 80.0% 40.0% 100.0% 100.0% 22.0% 22.0% 0.0% Diber 20-30% 20-30% 50-60% 100.0% 70.0% 1.9% 0.0% No data Divjake 45.0% 70.0% 30.0% 100.0% 100.0% 146.0% 1560.0% 0.0% Dropull 36.0% 27.0% 9.0% 72.0% 65.0% 83.0% 99.4% 0.0% Durres 85.0% 78.0% 80.0% 100.0% 100.0% 2.0% 32.6% 0.0% Elbasan 36.5% 6.6% 16.3% 99.0% 80.0% 1.0% 17.2% 18.0% Fier 92.0% 92.0% 60.0% 95.0% 82.0% 2100000000.0% 7000000000.0% 300000000.0% Finiq 3.0% 26.3% 8.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.2% 2.2% 0.0% Fushe Arrez 0.0% 20.0% 20.0% 90.0% 90.0% 2.0% 6.0% 0.0% Gjirokaster 80.0% 55.0% 45.0% 57..0% 4700.0% 2.0% 19.0% 0.0% Gramsh 100.0% 80.0% 50.0% 33.0% 15.0% 9.0% 16.0% 0.0% Has 70.0% 40.0% 10.0% 80.0% 80.0% 6.0% 6.0% 0.0% Himare 10.0% 5.0% 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 1.9% 25.0% 25.0% Kamez 65.0% 60.0% 30.0% 90.0% 90.0% 10.0% 3.0% 1.5% Kavaje 100.0% 60.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 13.0% 11.0% 76.0% Kelcyre 53.0% 0.0% 8.0% 48.0% 48.0% 16.0% 6.6% 0.0% Klos 20.0% 10.0% 15.0% 95.0% 100.0% 8.0% 23.0% 2.0% Kolonje 100.0% 21.0% 13.0% 43.0% 43.0% 4.0% 0.8% 0.0% Konispol 2.0% 9.0% 3.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.1% 3.0% 0.0% Korce 44.8% 47.3% 32.4% 95.5% 100.0% 64567400 28.000.000 0.0% Kruje 45.0% 15.0% 45.0% 40/50 40/50 10.0% 48.0% 0.7% Kucove 56.0% 56.0% 42.0% 75.0% 75.0% 3.5% 20.9% 27.8% Kukes 80.0% 23.3% 60.0% 83.0% 65.0% 100.0% 100.0% 9.2% Kurbin 80.0% 30.0% 40.0% 20.0% 66.7% 0.3% 1.5% 1.0% Lezhe 35.0% 40.0% 70.0% 95.0% No data No data No data No data Libohove 25.0% 30.0% 30.0% 100.0% 100.0% 4.7% 55.2% 0.0% Librazhd 80.0% 35.0% 50.0% 96.0% 65.0% 5.7% 16.0% 0.0% Lushnje 80.0% 25.0% 12.0% 100.0% 100.0% 7.4% 19.7% 23.1% Malesi e Madhe 50.0% 50.0% 50.0% 35.0% 98.0% 14.7% 25.0% 0.0% Maliq 0.0% 0.0% 75.0% 86.4% 70.0% 2.5% 0.0% 0.0% Mallakaster 80.0% 20.0% 5.0% 36.6% 87.8% 3.1% 34.1% 20.0% Mat 80.0% 25.0% 75.0% 95.0% 95.0% 13.0% 16.0% 16.2% Memaliaj No data No data No data 52.0% 5200.0% 10.0% No data No data Mirdite 85.0% 40.0% 50.0% 32..0% 85.0% 10.0% 15.0% 5.0% Patos 45 % 30.0% 20.0% 80..0% 55.0% 15.0% 21.0% 0.2% Peqin 30.0% 25.0% 35.0% 29.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% 25.0% Permet 53.0% 14.0% 10.0% 59.0% 59.0% 16.0% 6.6% 0.0% Pogradec 65.0% 23.0% 30.0% 100.0% 100.0% 3.1% 18.5% 1,68 Polican 25.0% 3.0% 13.0% 100.0% No data 6.0% 21.0% 0.3% Prrenjas 85.0% 10.0% 4.0% 100.0% 100.0% 0.1% 0.0% 0.0% Puke 0.0% 0.0% 20.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1.1% 12.4% 0.0% Pustec No data No data No data No data No data 0.0% 730000 0.0% Roskovec 30.0% 73.3% 0.0% 100.0% 100.0% 0.2% 18.4% 0.8% Rrogozhine 40.0% 20.0% 50.0% 60.0% 70.0% 28000000 60.400.000 18000000 Sarande 70.0% 0.0% 70.0% 100.0% 2000.0% 2.0% 16.0% 3.5% Selenice 20.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 3000.0% 30.0% 20.0% 3.0% Shijak 54.0% 19.7% 40.0% 16.0% 100.0% 1.4% 14.4% 46.0% Shkoder 50.0% 16.0% 50.0% 9300.0% 9300.0% 0,7% 8.0% 0,5% Skrapar 35.0% 9.0% 11.0% 90.0% 69.0% 4.0% 8.0% 10.0% Tepelene 40.0% 45.0% 10.0% 100.0% 30.0% 11.0% 0.2% 0.0% Tirane No data No data No data No data No data 29.0% 20.0% 10.0% Tropoje 70.0% 15.0% 10.0% 95.0% 95.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0,3% Ura Vajgurore 73.0% 73.0% 20.0% 18..0% 2000.0% 1.2% 17.5% 0.5% Vau i Dejes 31.0% 31.0% 15.0% 28..0% 3400.0% 0 13.4 % 0.4% Vlore 80.0% 45.0% 70.0% 85.0% 90.0% 2,696,000 leke 4.0% 0.0% Vore 60.0% 50.0% 35.0% 100.0% 100.0% 1.8% 36.0% 0.6%

2018 Assessment Report 75 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

Specific objective: Improving public transpor- 14.2. Improving public transport tation Municipal public transport Municipality budget for mainte- plan published at bus nance of public transport vehicles stations in relation to total fund for the Under the national legislation on the trans- transport sector in 2018 (in%) portation sector, transport services are sub- Belsh No 0% Berat No 0 contracted and fully provided by private op- Bulqize No 0 erators. They should ensure good quality of Cerrik Yes 2.14 service delivery, publish the daily schedule of Delvine No 0% Devoll 0.00% No data public transportation for each transport line Diber No 0.00% at the bus station, and also cover the mainte- Divjake No 10.00% Dropull No 0 nance of transport vehicles. The municipality Durres No 0 has the overall responsibility of controlling Elbasan Yes No data the effective and efficient service delivery to Fier Yes 0 Finiq No 0% the citizens against the terms of the contract Fushe Arrez 0 0 obligations. Despite the fact that the pub- Gjirokaster No 0 Gramsh Yes 0% lic transportation service is outsourced, the Has No 0 municipalities don’t allocate budget for the Himare No 25% maintenance of public transportation vehi- Kamez Yes 0 Kavaje Yes 0.00% cles. Kelcyre No 0.00% Klos No 0.00% . About 34% of the municipalities have Kolonje No 0.00% published the schedule of public trans- Konispol No 0.00% Korce Yes Jo portation at the bus station; the rest Kruje Yes 0 of 66% of the municipalities hadn’t Kucove No 0% Kukes No 0 published the public transportation Kurbin No 0 schedule. Lezhe No 0% Libohove No 0 . Only 9 municipalities (or 15%) have al- Librazhd No 0 located budget for maintenance of the Lushnje No 0 Malesi e Madhe No 0 public transport vehicles with an aver- Maliq No 0 age of 7% of the local budget for the Mallakaster Yes 0% Mat 1 13% transportation sector. About 85% of the Memaliaj 1 No data municipalities have reported that main- Mirdite Yes 0% tenance service is provided by private Patos No 0 Peqin No 0.10% companies under the terms of contract Permet No 0 obligations. Pogradec Yes 0 Polican Yes 0% Prrenjas No 0 Puke No 0 Pustec Yes 0 Graph 38 Roskovec No 0 Rrogozhine Yes 800000 Sarande No 0 Selenice 0 0 Shijak No 0 Shkoder Yes Jo Skrapar No 1.35% Tepelene No 0 Tirane Yes No Tropoje Yes 0.13% Ura Vajgurore No 0.50% Vau i Dejes No No Vlore Yes 0% Vore Yes 0%

76 2018 Assessment Report 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

Graph 39

Problems and challenges . The use of old vehicles, lack of air con- ditioning. . Despite the increased inter-city lines, there is a need for more lines to be covered. . Lack of inspection and controlling capacities of the municipal services. . Setting up of an electronic ticket system in the urban transportation service. . Development of GPS system to report . Development of co-modal solutions by means of optimizing theAbout individual 26% transportof the municipalitiesation modes haveand focusingabout on energy the -performanceefficient and environmentallyof the public friendly transportconstructed modes is bikea specific lanes objective(N=61); of4.1% the Transportationtransportation Sector Strategyservice. and the Action Plan 2016-2020.bike During lanes, the onrecent average, years, were municipalities available have. demonstratedSetting up SITand intelligentadded attention systems to and the improvement ofin urban2018; road the percentageinfrastructure ranged in order from to enable walkingstation computerization. and biking. 0.01% (Berat Municipality) up to 14% . Support the development of green taxi (Tirana Municipality). . About 26% of the municipalities services. Walking/Cycling promotion campaigns from have constructed bike lanes (N=61); . 29 municipalities (or 48% of them) don’t Specific objective: Promotion of walking and have anyMunicipalities bike lanes. 4.1% bike lanes, on average, were 5% bikingavailable in 2018; the percentage 62%, less than 333% on average,No (N=38) of the ranged from 0.01% (Berat municipalities have organized in 2018aware- DevelopmentMunicipality) of co-modal up to solutions14% (byTirana means ness-raising campaigns for walking and bik- of optimizingMunicipality) the. individual transportation ing in62% the framework of the European Mobil- modes and focusing on energy-efficient and . 29 municipalities (or 48% of them) ity Week and World Environment Day. environmentallydon‟t have anyfriendly bike transport lanes. modes is a specific objective of the Transportation Sec- The graph below presents the municipalities that tor Strategy and the Action Plan 2016-2020. organized such awareness events. Korça is the 62%During, less thanthe recent3 on average,years, municipalities (N=38) of thehave municipalities municipalityhave organized that organized in 2018 awareness-raisingthe highest number campaignsdemonstrated for walking and added and biking attention in theto frameworkthe of ofthe events. European Tirana MobilityMunicipality Week has also and organized World Environmentimprovement Day .of urban road infrastructure in such events, but data about the number of events Theorder graph to enablebelow presentswalking andthe biking.municipalities that organizedare not such presented awareness by the evemunicipality.nts. Kor ça is the municipality that organized the highest number of events. Tirana Municipality has also organized such events, but data about the number of events are not presented by the municipality. Graph 40 Promotion campaigns by Municipalities

7 6 6 6 5 5 5

4 3 3 3 3 2.62 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0

14.3. Promotion of walking and bicycle walking Ratio of bicycle routes in urban % e Internal road network of urban The walking and biking promotion campaign areas in relation to total km roads areas provided with pavements undertaken by the municipality 2018 Assessment Reportin urban areas (in %)39 77 Belsh No data No data 0 Berat 0.01% 87.00% 2 Bulqize 0.40% 15% 2 Cerrik 2 No data Yes Delvine 0.00% 80% Yes Devoll No data 15.00% 0 Diber 5.00% 80.00% 0 Divjake 3.00% 70.00% No Dropull 0 10.00% 3 Durres 0.2 80.00% 1 Elbasan 0.16% 26.50% Yes Fier No data 60.00% 6 Finiq 0 0% 0 Fushe Arrez 0.35 km 35% Yes Gjirokaster 4% 8% 3 Gramsh 0% 95% Yes Has 0 30% Yes

39 The indicator has to be cumulative to measure progress from year to year.

58 4.3. CHAPTER 14: TRANSPORTATION POLICY

Table 15 Problems and challenges 14.3. Promotion of walking and bicycle walking Ratio of bicycle routes % e Internal road The walking and . Degree of citizens’ awareness of the in urban areas in network of urban biking promotion relation to total km areas provided with campaign un- environmental problem and promotion roads in urban areas pavements dertaken by the of alternative ways of mobility. (in %)41 municipality Belsh No data No data 0 . Lack of appropriate financial resources Berat 0.01% 87.00% 2 for investment tobuild bike lanes and to Bulqize 0.40% 15% 2 Cerrik 2 No data Yes expropriate the owners. Delvine 0.00% 80% Yes Devoll No data 15.00% 0 Diber 5.00% 80.00% 0 CONCLUSIONS ON TRANSPORT POLICY Divjake 3.00% 70.00% No Dropull 0 10.00% 3 Durres 0.2 80.00% 1 Increasing road safety at the local level is Elbasan 0.16% 26.50% Yes showing some progress, but yet limited efforts Fier No data 60.00% 6 Finiq 0 0% 0 are made to promote walking and biking. Only Fushe Arrez 0.35 km 35% Yes 52%, on average, of the existing urban net- Gjirokaster 4% 8% 3 work of the municipalities complied with road Gramsh 0% 95% Yes Has 0 30% Yes standards in 2018, while in the case of the ex- Himare 0 5% Yes isting rural network of the municipalities was Kamez 0 35.00% No Kavaje 0.04% 95.00% 2 33%, while the road signage complied 35%, Kelcyre 0.00% 53.00% Yes on average, with standards. About 8.6%, on Klos 0.00% 50.00% 0 average, of the municipalities overall bud- Kolonje 0.00% 50.00% No Konispol 0.00% 10.00% Yes get was allocated for the road maintenance Korce 15 km 90% 6 while the budget allocation for road safety Kruje 0 70% 5 Kucove 0.0% 22.4% 2 against the municipalities’ allocation for the Kukes 11.71% 80% 3 transportation sector was 6.82%. Only 26% Kurbin 0 100% 0 Lezhe 4% 70% Yes of the municipalities have built bike lanes; the Libohove 3% 0% 0 bike lanes constituted 4.1%, on average, of Librazhd 0 70% No the urban network leng thin 2018, which is a Lushnje 0.1% 90% 2 Malesi e Madhe 600m 600m 2 smallpercentage. 48% of the municipalities Maliq 2 km 20% 2 don’t have any bike lanes in their urban area. Mallakaster 0% 80% No Mat 0 95% 3 Improving public transportation and delivering Memaliaj No data No data No data Mirdite 0 80% Yes of quality services and comfort to the citizens Patos 2% 70% 2 remains a challenge. About 66% of the munic- Peqin 32 Km 70% No ipalities published the public transportation Permet 0 53% Yes Pogradec 0 52% Yes schedule in their territory. 15% of the mu- Polican 10% 90% Yes nicipalities had allocated budget for mainte- Prrenjas 2 80% No Puke 0 40% No nance of the public transport vehicles with an Pustec No data No data No average of 7% of the local budget for the Roskovec 0.15% 70% 1 transportation sector in 2018; about 66% of Rrogozhine 0 40% Yes Sarande 0 80% 1 the municipalities have ensured the mainte- Selenice 1 10 1 nance of public means as part of the con- Shijak 0 50% 1 Shkoder 8% 40% Yes tracts with private companies (outsourced). Skrapar 0% 90% No Tepelene 0 90% No Tirane 14% No data No data Tropoje 0% 70% Yes Ura Vajgurore No data No data No data Vau i Dejes 0 3% No Vlore No data 80% 5 Vore 0% 92% 0

41 The indicator has to be cumulative to measure progress from year to year.

78 2018 Assessment Report 4.4. Chapter 15: Energy

4.4. Chapter 15: Energy About 24% of the municipalities have appointed the energy efficiency manager (N=55); The National Strategy for Energy, 2018 – 10% of the municipalities haven’t reported any 203042 (NSE) and the Action Plan for Energy data about this indicator; 66% of the munici- Efficiency (NAPEE) 2018-202143 define insti- palities hadn’t appointed the energy efficiency tutional responsibilities not only for the central manager until the end of 2018. administration institutions, but also for the Lo- cal Government Units. The first obligation for Training and certification of the energy effi- the municipalities stays with the appointment/ ciency manager at the local level is carried recruitment of the energy efficiency manager, out by 23% of the municipalities. who will lead, after being trained and certified, Local Action Plan on energy efficiency is drafted the process of drafting the Action Plan (AP) on and adopted by the municipal council in 25% energy efficiency at the local level. of the municipalities (N=58); 2 municipalities (or The Action Plan as adopted by the municipality 3%) had the LAP in drafting process; 67% of the will be in line with NAPEE 2018-2021 and inmunicipalities hadn’t drafted Local Action Plan on tegrate measures linked with the application of energy efficiency until the end of 2018. methods and requirements for public institutions, private entities, construction of the new public Graph 43 buildings and public services, schools andkin- dergartens, street lighting, and other related areas as defined by the sector legislation. Specific objective: Increasing efficiency of energy use in houses and apartments for both, public and private services.

Graph 41

Tirana Municipality has included measures on energy efficiency within the Green City Action Plan (2018), AP for Adaptation to Climate Change for Tirana (2015). Mean- while, the Tirana municipality has already an Energy Efficiency Action Plan already adopted in 2013, which sets out energy efficiency measures that extend to 2020. Graph 42 61% of the municipalities have organized in cooperation with the central institutions advisory campaigns with the public institu-

tions and business community on the energy efficiency at the local level; in total, 59 awareness-raising campaigns (1 campaign, on average, per municipality) were carried out at national level; 24% of the municipalities haven’t organized any advisory campaign; 15% of the municipalities didn’t provide any data.

42 Decision of the Council of Ministers no. 480/31.07.2018 “On the option of the National Strategy for Energy”. 43 The National Action Plan (NAPEE) will be reviewed every 3 years

2018 Assessment Report 79 4.4. Chapter 15: Energy

Table 16 15.1. Increasing the efficiency of energy used Appointment (recruitment) Training and certification of Drafting of the Local Action Plan The number of counseling of the Energy Efficiency the energy manager from the in accordance with the National campaigns undertaken by the Manager in the Munici- respective structures Action Plan (2018-2020) on energy Municipality or in co-operation pality efficiency -. with central institutions Belsh No data Jo Jo 0 Berat No Yes No 4 Bulqize Yes Yes Yes 0 Cerrik Yes No No 1 Delvine No No No 0 Devoll No data No data Yes No data Diber No No No 0 Divjake No No No 0 Dropull No No No 0 Durres No No No 0 Elbasan Yes Yes Yes 6 Fier No No No 0 Finiq No No No 0 Fushe Arrez No No Yes No data Gjirokaster No Yes No 0 Gramsh No No No 0 Has Yes Yes No 0 Himare No No No No Kamez No No No 0 Kavaje No No No 0 Kelcyre Yes Yes No 1 Klos Yes Yes Yes 0 Kolonje No No No 0 Konispol No No No 0 Korce Yes Yes Yes No data Kruje No No Yes 0 Kucove Yes No No 0 Kukes Yes Yes Yes 0 Kurbin No No No 0 Lezhe No data No data No data No data Libohove Yes Yes No 2 Librazhd No No No 0 Lushnje No No No 0 Malesi e Madhe No No No 2 Maliq No No No 3 Mallakaster Jo Jo Jo 0 Mat In process In process In process No data Memaliaj No data No data In process No data Mirdite Jo Jo Jo 0 Patos Po Po Po 4 Peqin Jo Jo Po 20 Permet Po Po Jo 1 Pogradec Jo Jo Po 1 Polican Jo Jo Jo 0 Prrenjas Jo Jo Jo 0 Puke Jo Jo Jo 0 Pustec Jo Jo Po No data Roskovec Jo Jo Jo 0 Rrogozhine 0 0 Jo 0 Sarande Jo Jo Po 0 Selenice No data No data No data No data Shijak Jo Jo Jo 0 Shkoder Po Po Jo 5 Skrapar Jo Jo Jo 0 Tepelene Jo Jo Jo 0 Tirane Jo Jo Po 4 Tropoje Po Jo Jo 3 Ura Vajgurore No data No data No data No data Vau i Dejes Jo Jo Jo Jo Vlore Po Po Po 2 Vore Jo Jo Jo 0

Institutional capacity building on energy efficiency: Very few municipalities have participated in trainings aboutthe measures and requirements of the NAPEE in the reporting year (2018); about 20% of the municipalities participated in those training; 64% of the municipalities haven’t participated in any training; about 5% of the municipalities haven’t provided any data.

80 2018 Assessment Report 4.4. Chapter 15: Energy

Table 17 Due to the limited number of the energy ef- 15.2. Increased efficiency of energy use: improving implementation of ficiency managers appointed by the munici- minimum requirements for public and private buildings and services Number of local administra- No. of controls on energy palities, few inspections on energy efficiency tion trainings on the National efficiency requirements in public applications were carried out in 2018 under Action Plan on Energy Efficiency and private buildings under- 2018-2020 and minimum re- taken by the Municipality under the requirements by the municipalities in the quirements for public / private the responsibility of the Energy construction of public and private buildings. buildings/services Manager and relevant findings. Belsh 0 0 1 inspection, on average, was carried out by Berat 4 0 the municipalities regarding the compliance Bulqize 0 10 Cerrik 1 No data with the energy efficiency requirements; 64% Delvine 0 0 of the municipalities haven’t organized any Devoll 0 No data energy efficiency inspections in 2018. About Diber 0 0 Divjake 0 0 16% of the municipalities haven’t provided Dropull 0 0 any data about this performance indicator. Durres 1 0 Elbasan 0 2 Problems and challenges Fier 0 0 Finiq 0 0 . Lack of the energy efficiency manager in the Fushe Arrez 2 0 Gjirokaster 0 2 local administration as required by the na- Gramsh 0 0 tional energy strategy. Has 0 0 Himare 0 0 . Lack of political attention by the mayors and Kamez 0 1 the municipal councils regarding the align- Kavaje 0 0 ment of local measures with the central gov- Kelcyre 1 2 Klos 0 1 ernment priorities regarding the energy sector. Kolonje 1 3 . Limited human, technical and financial re- Konispol 0 0 Korce 0 No data sources for drafting and aligning the AP for Kruje 0 0 Energy Efficiency at the local level with NAP- Kucove 0 0 EE 2018-2021. Kukes 0 0 Kurbin 0 0 . Lack of effective coordination between the Lezhe 0 No data Line Ministries and other central institutions Libohove 2 0 Librazhd 0 0 and the municipalities regarding energy Lushnje 0 0 efficiency. Malesi e Madhe 1 0 Maliq 0 0 Mallakaster 0 0 CONCLUSIONS ON ENERGY Mat N No data Memaliaj 2 No data Very little progress is made in terms of increas- Mirdite 0 0 Patos 4 3 ing the efficiency of energy use, while some Peqin 0 20 efforts are made to increase citizens’ aware- Permet 1 2 Pogradec 4 0 ness about a more efficient use of energy. Polican 0 0 Concerning the efficiency increase of energy Prrenjas 0 0 Puke 0 0 use, about 24% of the municipalities appoint- Pustec No data No data ed the energy efficiency manager in 2018 Roskovec 0 0 (N=55); 66% of the municipalities hadn’t Rrogozhine 0 0 Sarande 0 0 assigned the energy efficiency manager until Selenice No data No data the end of 2018. Shijak 0 0 Shkoder 3 5 Training and certification of the energy ef- Skrapar 0 0 ficiency manager at the local level is accom- Tepelene 1 0 plished by 23% of the municipalities. Local Ac- Tirane 0 0 Tropoje 0 6 tion Plan on energy efficiency is drafted and Ura Vajgurore No data No data adopted by the municipal council in 25% of Vau i Dejes 0 0 44 Vlore 1 No data the municipalities ; 67% of the municipalities Vore 0 0 hadn’t drafted any Local Action Plan on energy

44 Tirana Municipality has included measures on energy efficiency within the Green City AP (2018), AP on the Adaptation to Climate Change for Tirana (2015)

2018 Assessment Report 81 4.5. Chapter 16: Taxes

efficiency until the end of 2018 (N=58). istration of the local taxes and fees system in terms of increasing the tax base 61% of the municipalities have organized advisory campaigns with the public institu- Many municipalities have improved the local tax tions and business community on the energy administration. Improvements mostly consist of im- efficiency at the local level - 1 campaign, on proving services to citizens, increasing the trans- average, on energy efficiency organized in parency for business registration, and online ap- 2018; 24% of the municipalities haven’t or- peal requests by individual citizens and business ganized any advisory campaigns. entities. The level of formalization of the economy was improved through setting up the online sys- Institutional capacity building on energy effi- tem (ICT) with the public institutions, thus enabling ciency: very few municipalities have partic- the exchange of key information about the local ipated in trainings about the measures and taxes and fee collection. Planning of inspections in requirements of the NAPEE in the reporting business entities by local taxes administration ser- year (2018). 64% of the municipalities hav- vices has also improved. en’t participated in any training. The municipality services had carried out, on average, . About 77% of the municipalities (or 47 1 inspection about energy efficiency require- municipalities) have adopted local tax ments implementation in 2018. policy to promote formal economy; 20% of the municipalities haven’t adopted 4.5. Chapter 16: Taxes any local tax policy. A range of support and information for . 858 field inspections, on average, (or more taxpayers has been launched including than double compared to the number of websites, help desks, call centers, business inspections in 2017) were carried out in visits, and brochures. The Tax Administra- 2018 by the municipal tax services to com- tion began to implement the Anti-Informal- bat informality in the economy. Given that ity Action Plan45. the number of field inspections carried by The law on local finances improved the Tirana municipality GDLT is very high, the predictability of local government sources, average number of field inspections across thus defining that the unconditional transfer shouldn’t be less than 1% of the previous Graph 44 year’s GDP; the reference tax rates are in- troduced for almost all taxes. Local discretion in terms of modifying the tax rate is defined regarding the property tax46. Some changes were made to the system of shared taxes, as follows: (i) the sharing rate to be transferred to the municipalities for the vehicle registration tax increased to 25% of the collection; (ii) the personal income tax (PIT) was intro- duced as a shared tax. The collection of a value-based property tax in favor of mu- all the other municipalities excluding Ti- nicipalities failed to become operational in rana Municipality is 338 (or 24% higher 2018. A fiscal cadastre for property tax ad- against the average number of the field ministration at the local level is in the process inspections as carried out in 2017). of being established. The municipalities should organize public Specific objective: Improvement of the admin- hearings with the business stakeholders about

45 PFM Strategy Monitoring Report (March 2018) 46 +/-30% of the indicative tax rate.

82 2018 Assessment Report

Specific objective: Improvement of the administration of the local taxes and fees system in terms of increasing the tax base Many municipalities have improved the local tax administration. Improvements mostly consist of improving services to citizens, increasing the transparency for business registration, and online appeal requests by individual citizens and business entities. The level of formalization of the economy was improved through setting up the online system (ICT) with the public institutions, thus enabling the exchange of key information about the local taxes and fee collection. Planning of inspections in business entities by local taxes administration services has also improved. . About 77% of the municipalities (or 47 Tax policy for the formalization of the economy municipalities) have adopted local tax policy 2% to promote formal economy; 20% of the 1% municipalities haven‟t adopted any local tax Yes policy. 20% No

In process . 858 field inspections, on average, (or more than double compared to the number of 77% No data inspections in 2017) were carried out in 2018 by the municipal tax services to 4.5. Chapter 16: Taxes combat informality in the economy. Given that the number of field inspections carried by Tirana municipality GDLT is very high, the average number of field inspections across all the other municipalities excluding Tirana Municipality is 338 (or 24% higher against the average number of the field inspections as carried out in 2017).

Graph 45 Number of Inspections by Local Tax Administration

100000

10000 858 858 1000

100

1 Has Fier Mat Klos Puke Vore Finiq Berat Patos Diber Peqin Kruje Belsh Vlore Maliq Lezhe Korce Shijak Cerrik Kukes Tirane Pustec Devoll Durres Kurbin Kavaje Kamez Permet Polican Himare Mirdite Bulqize Dropull Kucove Delvine Divjake Kelcyre Skrapar Elbasan Gramsh Tropoje Lushnje Kolonje Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Selenice Librazhd Konispol Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj Libohove Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I Vau Dejes Fushe Arrez Fushe Ura Vajgurore Malesi Malesi e Madhe

The municipalitiesthe new local should tax initiativesorganize and public to get hearings feed- with the businessmunicipality stakeholders was in the about process the of newsetting local tax initiativesback and recommendations.to get feedback and recommendations. up the database; no data were provided . 5 public hearings, on average, were by 3 (or 2%) of other municipalities. . 5 public hearings, on average, were orga- Establishment of a database of debtors of the 3% organized in 2018 by municipalities municipality nized in 2018 by municipalities regarding 2% 7% regardinginformation information and consultation and consultationon local tax on The municipal revenues from the local taxes localpolicy tax policy (25% higher(25% against higher 2017). against 2017). and other fees increased in 2018 against 2017 - the average local revenues collectionYes . About. About 88% 88% ofof municipalitiesmunicipalities (or 54 (ormu - 54 across all the municipalities is 28% higher municipalities) have set up and regularly in 2018. Seven (7) municipalities haveNo in- updatenici palities)the municipal have set debtor up and database regularly; four update the municipal debtor database; creased local revenues above 70% in 2018 In process (4) municipalities haven‟t established a compared to 201747. municipalfour (4) debtormunicipalities database haven’t established yet, while 1 a municipal debtor database yet, while 1 municipality was in the process of setting up 88% No data the database; no data were provided by 3 (or 2%) of other municipalities.

Graph 46 Number of public hearings on tax policies

40 37 64 35 30 25 20 20 15 15 13 13 15 12 12 10 10 10 11 8 10 7 5.08 5 6 5 6 5.08 3 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 01 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 Has Mat Fier Klos Puke Vore Finiq Patos Berat Vlore Diber Peqin Kruje Belsh Maliq Lezhe Korce Cerrik Kukes Shijak Tirane Pustec Devoll Durres Kamez Kurbin Kavaje Permet Polican Himare Mirdite Kucove Dropull Bulqize Skrapar Kelcyre Tropoje Delvine Divjake Gramsh Elbasan Lushnje Kolonje Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Selenice Librazhd Konispol Tepelene Pogradec Libohove Memaliaj Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I I Dejes Vau Fushe Arrez Ura Vajgurore Ura Malesi e Madhe

Formatted: Font: (Default) Tw Cen MT, 11 pt Graph 47 47 Durrës, Kavajë, Fushë-Arrëz, Bulqizë, Finiq, Polican and Tepelenë municipalities.

Number of public hearings on tax policies

40 37 2018 Assessment Report 35 83 30 25 20 20 15 15 13 13 15 12 12 10 10 10 11 8 10 7 5.08 5 6 5 6 5.08 3 4 3 4 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 0 10 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 Has Mat Fier Klos Puke Vore Finiq Patos Berat Vlore Diber Peqin Kruje Belsh Maliq Lezhe Korce Cerrik Kukes Shijak Tirane Pustec Devoll Durres Kamez Kurbin Kavaje Permet Polican Himare Mirdite Kucove Dropull Bulqize Skrapar Kelcyre Tropoje Delvine Divjake Gramsh Elbasan Lushnje Kolonje Sarande Prrenjas Shkoder Selenice Librazhd Konispol Tepelene Pogradec Libohove Memaliaj Roskovec Gjirokaster Rrogozhine Mallakaster Vau I I Dejes Vau Fushe Arrez Ura Vajgurore Ura Malesi e Madhe

Table 18 Formatted: Font: (Default) Tw Cen MT, 10 pt, Bold 16.1. Improve the administration of the local tax and tariff system in terms of increasing the taxable base No .of on-site inspections No. of public hearings with Building a municipal Increase of revenues undertaken by the business groups organized by debtors database realized from local municipality to prevent the municipality for information (program) taxes and fees in the informal economy in its and involvement in discussing reporting year territory municipal tax policies Belsh 30 3 Yes 12% Berat 115 8 Yes -10% Bulqize 561 6 Yes 83% Cerrik 35 10 Yes -10% Delvine 270 4 No data No data Devoll 60 1 Yes 25% Diber 6 1 Yes 2% Divjake 562 5 Yes 12000000 Dropull 36 3 Yes 27.00% Durres 3200 2 Yes 72.00% Elbasan 50 1 Yes 7.20% Fier 1611 15 Yes 693817000 Finiq 99 5 Yes 83.60% Fushe Arrez No data Jan 03 No 80.00% Gjirokaster 4 15 Yes 11% Gramsh 27 20 Yes 14% Has No data 2 Yes 5.00% Himare 20 13 Yes 20.00% Kamez 7 3 Yes 8.00% Kavaje 531 12 Yes 83.00% Kelcyre No data 0 Yes 27.00% Klos 5 4 Yes 2.00% Kolonje No data 2 Yes 17.70% Konispol 4 3 Yes 11.00% Korce 1474 6 Yes 55.187.283 ALL more than 2017 Kruje 15 0 Yes 2.4% Kucove 300 1 Yes 5.00% Kukes 40 1 1 No data

84 4.5. Chapter 16: Taxes

Table 18 16.1. Improve the administration of the local tax and tariff system in terms of increasing the taxable base No .of on-site inspections No. of public hearings with Building a municipal Increase of revenues realized undertaken by the municipality business groups organized by the debtors database from local taxes and fees in the to prevent informal economy in municipality for information and (program) reporting year its territory involvement in discussing municipal tax policies Belsh 30 3 Yes 12% Berat 115 8 Yes -10% Bulqize 561 6 Yes 83% Cerrik 35 10 Yes -10% Delvine 270 4 No data No data Devoll 60 1 Yes 25% Diber 6 1 Yes 2% Divjake 562 5 Yes 12000000 Dropull 36 3 Yes 27.00% Durres 3200 2 Yes 72.00% Elbasan 50 1 Yes 7.20% Fier 1611 15 Yes 693817000 Finiq 99 5 Yes 83.60% Fushe Arrez No data Jan 03 No 80.00% Gjirokaster 4 15 Yes 11% Gramsh 27 20 Yes 14% Has No data 2 Yes 5.00% Himare 20 13 Yes 20.00% Kamez 7 3 Yes 8.00% Kavaje 531 12 Yes 83.00% Kelcyre No data 0 Yes 27.00% Klos 5 4 Yes 2.00% Kolonje No data 2 Yes 17.70% Konispol 4 3 Yes 11.00% Korce 1474 6 Yes 55.187.283 ALL more than 2017 Kruje 15 0 Yes 2.4% Kucove 300 1 Yes 5.00% Kukes 40 1 1 No data Kurbin 4 1 Yes Jo Lezhe 515 12 Yes 45000000 Libohove 2 2 Yes 0 Librazhd 400 2 Yes 10.00% Lushnje 4000 11 Yes 10% Malesi e Madhe 10 1 No data 35% Maliq Po 7 Yes 12% Mallakaster 29 4 Yes 39.80% Mat 65 3 Yes 70% Memaliaj 30 No data In proces No data Mirdite 54 10 Yes 18% Patos 12 4 2 15% Peqin 10 1 No No data Permet No data 2 Yes 27.00% Pogradec 240 10 Yes 25% Polican 10 2 Yes 84% Prrenjas 30 0 No 3 000 000 Puke 50 2 Yes 55% Pustec No data 3 Yes 20% Roskovec 25 2 Yes 55% Rrogozhine 4 2 Yes 9% Sarande 550 4 Yes 8.2 % Selenice 480 3 Yes No data Shijak 137 2 Yes 70% Shkoder 1400 37 Yes 11% Skrapar 6 2 Yes 2.10% Tepelene 5 2 Yes 102% Tirane 27527 13 Yes 28.50% Tropoje 57 4 No 8.00% Ura Vajgurore 4 2 Yes 25000 Albanian Leks Vau i Dejes 650 3 Yes 0.9 % Vlore No data 2 Yes 58% Vore 120 1 Yes 9%

84 2018 Assessment Report 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Problems and challenges shows improvement compared to 2017 when it was 51%); 858 field inspections, on aver- . Formalization of the economy and in- age, were carried out in 2018 by the munic- crease of local revenue collection. ipal tax services to combat informality in the . Limited technical capacities, financial economy (more than double compared to the and ICT system for the effective ad- number of inspections in 2017). About 88% ministration of the local revenues from of municipalities have set up and regularly taxes and fees. update the municipal debtor database. In . Sustainability and professionalism of view of enhancing transparency and public the municipal tax services. consultation, 5 public hearings, on average, . Inspection capacity building to cover were organized in 2018 by municipalities for the expanded territory of the munici- public information and consultations about palities. local tax policy (25% more compared to . Setting up of the fiscal cadastre. 2017). . Active engagement and participation of citizens and business community in public consultations organized by the 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and municipal services of tax administration. Employment

CONCLUSIONS ON TAXES Social protection is a core function, for which Concerning the improvement of the adminis- both, central and local government, have tration of the local tax and fee system, about joint responsibilities48 and coordination role 77% of the municipalities have adopted in to carry out. Although, the social protection 2018 local tax policy to promote the formal function is not fully decentralized, the munic- economy (this indicator shows improvement ipalities have allocated in the last few years compared to 2017 when it was 51%); 20% after the TAR more human and financial re- of the municipalities had failed to adopt any sources to accomplish social protection at the local tax policy. local level. The local social policy is aligned 49 858 field inspections, on average, were car- with the national priorities consisting of the ried out in 2018 by the municipal tax ser- improvement and functioning of the cash so- vices to combat informality in the economy cial assistance system based on a set of cri- (or more than double compared to the num- teria, enhancement of vulnerable persons ac- ber of inspections as carried out in 2017). cessibility to public services, social assistance About 88% of municipalities have set up and to persons with disability and ethnic minori- regularly update the municipal debtor data- ties in order to protect them from social ex- base (N=59). clusion and poverty and boost their inclusion and employment opportunities through sup- In view of enhancing transparency and public porting participation in active employment consultation, 5 public hearings, on average, programs and skills development (vocational were organized in 2018 by municipalities for education / vocational programs). public information and consultations about local tax policy (25% more compared to Specific objective: Social protection at the local 2017). level Improvement of the administration of the local tax The progress of the implementation of social and fee system aimed at the promotion of protection policy at the local level is achieved formal economy. About 77% of the munic- through the assessment of 10 performance ipalities have adopted local tax policy to indicators, which consist of municipal human promote the formal economy (this indicator resources assigned for the social protec-

48 Law 139/2015 “On Local Self-Government”. 49 National Strategy for Social Protection 2015-2020; National Strategy for Employment and Skills Development 2014-2020

2018 Assessment Report 85 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Graph 48 Local administration employees trained in national policies and planned social protection measures and social statistics according to EU standards Lushnje 0 4.18 Tirane 0 Devoll 0 Lezhe 0 Ura Vajgurore 0 Pogradec 24 Durres 22 Vlore 20 Shkoder 16 Berat 14 Rrogozhine 11 Cerrik 9 Elbasan 9 Finiq 9 Kolonje 7 Maliq 7 Permet 7 Mirdite 7 Kelcyre 7 Selenice 6 Kamez 6 Kukes 5 Gjirokaster 4 Kavaje 4 Polican 4 Klos 4 Vore 3 Malesi e Madhe 3 Tepelene 3 Korce 3 Konispol 3 Fushe Arrez 2 Skrapar 2 Gramsh 2 Dropull 2 Delvine 2 Divjake 1 Memaliaj 1 Librazhd 1 Libohove 1 Diber 1 Pustec 1 Himare 1 Kucove 0 Kruje 0 Peqin 0 Tropoje 0 Roskovec 0 Puke 0 Prrenjas 0 Mat 0 Has 0 Fier 0 Vau I Dejes 0 Shijak 0 Sarande 0 Patos 0 Mallakaster 0 Kurbin 0 Bulqize 0 Belsh 0 4.18

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

. About 43% of the municipalities have set up the Needs Assessment and Referral Sector within the tionMunicipal function, Social administration Services andDirectorate, evaluation while 51 % haven‟tIncrease established of functions andthis officecompetences yet; 3% of loof- the ofmunicipalities cash social assistance,didn‟t provide capacity data. building Mobile teams withincal government the Municipal units Social need toSer bevices associated Directorate (trainedmonitor local the publicsocial officials),service delivery social housing,and carry out thewith local capacity needs buildingassessment measures.; the number Local govof -these andmobile municipal teams socialdepends care on centers the size (daily of the or municipality. ernment officials of Social Services Depart- residential. About centers). 54% of the municipalities have ment have participated in 2018 in various trainingNeeds Assessmentprograms Sector on theSetup new in Municipalities cash social . There wereprepared 2 additional the Assessment local government Report on assistance system, integrated social service officials,Social on average,Protection responsiblecovering their for territory social ; delivery, human6% rights management, RO- inclusion 2in municipalities municipalities haven‟t(compared yet finishedto 3 it, MALB system, social statistics according to additionalwhile staff 38 members% of the inmunicipalities 2017). Twen haven‟t- prepared any assessment report on the EU standards, and other topics. The trainings ty-eight (28) municipalities didn’t have any No municipal social needs. are supported by central institutions (budget Yes additional staff in 2018, which is the same 51% funds) and43% donor funded projects. number. ofMunicipalities staff as in 2017. allocate fund from their No data . There wereown 1.4 budget additional to support local officials,poor households on . About 234 local public officials were trained average,an responsibled individuals for whomanaging, are not monitor included- in in different areas of social protection in 2018; ing and theevaluating cash social the cashassistance social assistancescheme (6% of 4local staff members, on average, were trained scheme theacross cash all socialthe municipalities. assistance fund About pool) – across all the municipalities (this indicator is low- 50% of thisthe fundmunicipalities is used as(or a31 bonus municipali for renting- er compared to 6 in 2017); about 28% of the the house, financial aid for poor households and support for community centers. ties) didn’t have any additional staff in 2018. municipalities didn’t participate in any capaci- . The local fund allocated for social care was, on average for N=48, 2.85% of the municipal budget in 2018; 271 more PwD, on average, were assisted in 2018 compared to 2017 (N=48).

86 2018 Assessment Report

68 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

ty building program in 2018. nicipality. . About 43% of the municipalities have set up . About 54% of the municipalities have pre- the Needs Assessment and Referral Sector pared the Assessment Report on Social Pro- within the Municipal Social Services Direc- tection covering their territory; 2 municipali- torate, while 51% haven’t established this ties haven’t yet finished it, while 38% of the office yet; 3% of the municipalities didn’t municipalities haven’t prepared any assess- provide data. Mobile teams within the Mu- ment report on the municipal social needs. nicipal Social Services Directorate monitor . Municipalities allocate funds from their own the social service delivery and carry out the budget to support poor households and indi- local needs assessment; the number of these viduals who are not included in the cash so- mobile teams depends on the size of the mu- cial assistance scheme (6% of the cash social assistance fund pool) – this fund is used as a bo- Graph 49 nus for renting the house, financial aid for poor households and support for community centers. . The local fund allocated for social care was, on average for N=48, 2.85% of the municipal budget in 2018; 271 more PwD, on average, were assisted in 2018 compared to 2017 (N=48).

Graph 50 Social Care Fund (% of total budget)

35.00%

30.00% 8 -

25.00%

20.00% Fund - 0 %

15.00% 5 Municipalities

31 Municipalities -

10.00% Municipalities Not correctly reported reported correctly Not

5.00% data No

0.00% Has Fier Klos Mat Vore Finiq Puke Kruje Vlore Arrez Belsh Berat Diber Patos Peqin Korce Maliq Lezhe Shijak Kukes Cerrik - Devoll Tirane Kurbin Kavaje Kamez Pustec Durres Polican Kucove Bulqize Divjake Kelcyre Himare Dropull Permet Mirdite Delvine Kolonje Skrapar Elbasan Lushnje Tropoje Gramsh Sarande Shkoder Prrenjas Selenice Librazhd Konispol Libohove Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj Roskovec Gjirokaster Vau i i DejesVau Rrogozhine Mallakaster Fushe Ura Vajgurore Ura Malesi e Malesi Madhe

Local investments to improve poor house conditions and to build new social houses are very limited. Municipalities have human and technical capacities in the urban development and housing office that are generally capable to prepare urban infrastructure projects. The local staff drafts feasibility studies, whereas the financial resources of the municipalities are limited and run short of meeting the local needs regarding2018 Assessment the improvement Report of house conditions in some area including Roma and Egyptian minorities 87 and regarding the construction of the new social houses. The Law48 on Social Housing defines administrative and procedural rules for planning, administration, and distribution of social housing stipulating that 20% of the overall amount requested to be financed under the Social Housing Programs should be co-funded by the municipality itself. . About 8% of the municipalities have provided support for social housing for the victims of trafficking. The average percentage of the cases supported under the municipal social housing programs for persons who have been subject of trafficking was x% of the overall number of beneficiaries at the local level in 2018. . 84% of the municipalities haven‟t supported any building of social housing for the victims of trafficking in 2018. Community centers are established with the support of central and local government and with the contribution of donor-funded projects. The daily community centers provide integrated services for members of the vulnerable groups including women, Roma, and Egyptian minorities, children, third age and PwD. In some cases, LGUs have signed cooperation agreements with local NGOs that provide additional resources to the community centers.

Yes 8% 8% Yes 47% No No 46% No data

No data 84% Opening day centers Social housing for victims of trafficking

. 47% of the municipalities have, at least, one operational community center; about 46% of the municipalities don‟t have any community center.

48Law no.22/2018 “on Social Housing”

69 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Local investments to improve poor house con- Graph 51 ditions and to build new social houses are very limited. Municipalities have human and technical capacities in the urban development and housing office that are generally capable to prepare urban infrastructure projects. The local staff drafts feasibility studies, whereas the financial resources of the municipalities are limited and run short of meeting the local needs regarding the improvement of house conditions in some area including Roma and Egyptian minorities and regarding the construction of the new social Graph 52 houses. The Law50 on Social Housing defines administrative and procedural rules for planning, administration, and distribution of social housing stipulating that 20% of the overall amount requested to be financed under the Social Housing Programs should be co-funded by the municipality itself. . About 8% of the municipalities have provided support for social housing for the victims of trafficking. The value indicator varies from 0% to 70%51 in favor of persons who have been subject of trafficking was against the . 47% of the municipalities have, at least, one overall number of beneficiaries at the local operational community center; about 46% of level in 2018. the municipalities don’t have any community . 84% of the municipalities haven’t supported center. any building of social housing for the victims of trafficking in 2018. . The average number of persons receiving services from the community centers Community centers are established with the is 173 (N=57); 52% of the municipalities support of central and local government and don’t provide services from community cen- with the contribution of donor-funded proj- ters. ects. The daily community centers provide integrated services for members of the vulnerable groups including women, Roma, and Egyptian minorities, children, third age and PwD. In some cases, LGUs have signed cooperation agreements with local NGOs that provide additional resources to the community centers.

50 Law no.22/2018 “on Social Housing” 51 The Vlora Municipality

88 2018 Assessment Report 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Graph 53

2018 Assessment Report 89 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Table 19 19.1. Social protection at the local level No. of additional No. of additional Local administration The Social The sector Share of Funds Share of social housing Categories No. of people local government local government officers trained in Protection Assess- of Needs for Social Care cases offered to victims of vulnerable from vulnerable officials responsible officials responsible national policies and ment Report on Assessment and Expenditures of trafficking / total groups for which groups benefiting for social inclusion for managing, planned social protection the territory of Referral estab- vs. Municipality number of social hous- a daycare center social services in monitoring and measures and social the Municipality lished in the Budget (in%) ing beneficiaries for social care established social evaluating the Aid statistics according to EU drafted municipality was established care centers Scheme standards Belsh 0 0 0 No No 0% 0% 0 0 Berat 1 1 14 Yes Yes 0.30% 3% 3 120 Bulqize 0 0 0 Yes No 0.5% No data 1 18 Cerrik 9 6 9 Yes No 1.2 0 0 0 Delvine 0 2 2 No No 0 0 0 60 Devoll 7 0 No data Yes Yes 1000000 0 0 No data Diber 1 0 1 Yes Yes 28% 0% 2 100 Divjake No data No data 1 No Yes No 0 0 0 Dropull 0 1 2 No No 0 0 0 0 Durres 2 1 22 Yes Yes 4.00% 1 1 330 Elbasan 7 7 9 No Yes 0.096 0 4 315 Fier 1 0 0 Yes Yes No data No data 2 150 Finiq 0 0 9 No Yes 0% 0% 0 0 Fushe Arrez 2 2 2 Yes Yes 0 0 2 30 Gjirokaster 2 0 4 Yes Yes 0% 0 1 103 Gramsh 0 0 2 Yes Yes 2.2% 0 2 15 Has 1 8 0 Inprocess No No data 0 1 60 Himare 0 3 1 Yes Yes 0.40% 0 0 0 Kamez 0 6 6 No No No 0% No No Kavaje 1 0 4 No No 0 0.00% 0 81 Kelcyre 0 1 7 Yes No 1.20% 0.00% 0 79 Klos 0 0 4 Yes Yes 1.20% 0.00% 0 0 Kolonje 10 1 7 Yes No 1.96% 0.00% 1 0 Konispol 0 0 3 Yes Yes 0.00% 0.00% 0 0 Korce 0 1 3 Yes Yes 5% 0 2 9 Kruje 22 0 0 No No 180.000 Alba- 0 2 116 nian Leks Kucove No No No No No 0.27% 0 1 10 Kukes 15 19 5 No Yes 0.1 0 3 110 Kurbin 0 0 0 Yes No 0 0% No 163 Lezhe 2 0 No data Yes Yes 531197000 0 2 50 Libohove 1 1 1 Inprocess No data No data 0 0 0 Librazhd 1 1 1 Yes No 3% 0 3 199 Lushnje 0 0 Yes No Yes 1.80% 0 1 52 Malesi e 2 1 3 Yes No 0 60 families 0 0 Madhe Maliq 2 3 7 No 7 0 0 No data No data Mallakaster 0 0 0 Yes 1 17.00% 0 0 0 Mat 1 1 0 Inprocess No 0 0% 3 163 Memaliaj 1 1 1 No data No data No data No data No data 1 Mirdite 0 0 7 No No 0% 0 0 0 Patos 0 0 0 No No 0.50% 0 0 0 Peqin 3 1 0 Yes No 0 0 0 0 Permet 0 1 7 Yes No 1,2% 0 1 60 Pogradec 0 0 24 Yes No 0.45% 0% 1 50 Polican 0 0 4 Yes Yes 0% 0% Yes 23 Prrenjas 1 3 0 Yes No 0 0 0 0 Puke 1 0 0 Yes No 0 0 0 0 Pustec 0 No data 1 No data No data No data No data No data No data Roskovec 1 0 0 No No 0.13% 0 3 70 Rrogozhine 1 0 11 No No 8% 0 0 0 Sarande 0 0 0 No No 2.00% 0 4 81 Selenice 6 6 6 No Yes 70.000 Albanian 0 0 0 Leks Shijak 0 0 0 No No 0% 0% 1 118 Shkoder 5 0 16 Yes Yes 32% 0 6 1300 Skrapar 0 0 2 No Yes 2.50% 0.00% 0 0 Tepelene 0 0 3 Yes No 0 0% No 0% Tirane No data No data No data 2 Yes 2% 0 5 1482 Tropoje 1 1 0 Yes No 0.01% 2.50% 0 0 Ura Vajgurore 0 0 No data No No data 3 000 000 No data No data 0 Vau I Dejes 0 0 0 No No 1.4% 0 1 27 Vlore 0 0 20 Yes Yes *52 70- 80% 5 No data Vore 6 1 3 Yes No 3 0 0 0

52 1% + expenditures for poor households 4.000.000+ reserve fund for emergencies

90 2018 Assessment Report 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

Specific objective: Social inclusion at the local level Health and Social Protection; about 53% of the municipalities haven’t participated in any training Municipalities drafted in 2018 the social services program regarding the above area. map covering their territory. Some of the municipalities have adopted the Local Plan for Progress has been made by the municipalities Social Inclusion; about 20% of the municipal- in 2018 concerning the establishment of the ities have drafted the Local Plan for Integra- statistical database according to EU indicators tion of Roma and Egyptian minorities (LPIRE) on social inclusion. About 45% of the municipal- at the local level. The LPIRE includes measures ities have already such statistical database in in six priority areas: civil registration, educa- place compared to 10% in 2017. tion, and intercultural dialogue, employment and skills development, health care, housing, Problems and challenges . Limited financial and human capacity to estab- Graph 54 lish the Need Assessment and Referral Sector within the Social Service Department of the Municipality. . Lack of funds and other resources to setup the daily community centers and to provide integrated services to the groups in needs in each municipality. . Development of the skills of the local staff working in the Social Services Offices of the Municipality in addition to the reporting skills (i.e., drafting of the Social Protection Assess- ment Report at the local level annually). . Limited human, technical and financial resourc- and urban integration, and social protection. es to setup the statistical database according . About 46% of the municipalities have draft- to EU indicators on social inclusion by all munic- ed a social inclusion local plan and municipal ipalities in the country. councils have adopted it; the percentage of this indicator is higher compared to 10% that the Specific objective: Support for active work programs municipalities reported for 2017. . About 6% of the municipalities have reported Poverty may be expressed as insufficient ac- that the social inclusion local plan was in the draft- cess and a form of deprivation from public ing process; 46% of the municipalities haven’t yet services, resources available to most of the drafted any social inclusion local plan yet. One population, or as the inability to benefit from municipality has failed to provide any data. them. The most important instruments used by the employment services and municipal . The indicator (ref. 19.2.2) defined as the percent- staff in 2018 to integrate the unemployed age of cases of the vulnerable category support- persons and vulnerable groups into economic ed under the social housing program in 2018 is life/labor market include the following: (i) fulfilled correctly only by a limited number of the integration of jobseekers into the labor mar- municipalities and, thus it couldn’t be generalized. ket through skills development and their ac- About 39% of the municipalities participated in tive involvement into employment programs 2018 in capacity building program regarding the and community programs; (ii) encouragement evaluation methodology of social protection and and support to set up new business entities, social inclusion that was supported by Ministry of self-employment and job formalization.

2018 Assessment Report 91 oces 0 10 No data No data 1 No data No data No 1 0 3 0 0 0 No 0 0 Yes 3 0 0 1 1 Ne pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 No data 0 0 0 No 0 0 0 No 0 0 0 No 0 0 0 0 0 No data Yes 0 0 0 0 0 1 No 0 No data 0 No.of unemployed people No.of unemployed receiving financial assistance education and vocational for with in cooperation training the REO - tunities for tunities for eration with DAR on Improving / on Improving with DAR eration Enhancing the Oppor 0 Meetings and activities No data No data No No data 0 No 4 0 Yes 0 0 0 Yes 0 0 Yes Yes 0 Yes 0 2 No data 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 No data 1 0 No data No data No data 0 0 Yes 0 0 0 Yes 0 0 No 0 0 No Yes 0 0 0 No No data 0 Yes 0 No data 0 Vocational Education and Training Education and Training Vocational Municipality Initiatives for Co-op for Municipality Initiatives 0 No data No data No data No data No data 0 0 0 0 No data 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 No data 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No data 0 0 0 No data 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No data 0 40 0 0 0 No 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 No data 0 Forms of with co-operation the socio-economic for DAR ofreintegration NEET in its territory 0 At some extend At some extend No data No data Very low Very No data No data 0 Good 0 No data 0 0 No 0 0 0 Good High No good 0 No Generic info No data 0 No 0 0 0 Very low Very 0 No data Yes 0 No No data Yes Not good Not good 0 Not good 0 0 No data 0 Yes No 0 Very low Very No 0 0 No 0 No 0 Yes Yes Not good No data 0 No. of NEETs who are ofNo. NEETs by the financially supported with Municipality in cooperation vocational RED and REO for education and training 0 No data No data 0 79 33 No data 0 4 0 No data 0 0 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No data 0 5 0 0 0 0 24 No data 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 107 0 0 0 0 20 0 0 No data 0 The level of awareness of of the The level awareness in its municipality on NEETs territory - partial database the Regional established by Education Directorate 0 22 No data No data 0 12 6 0 100 0 No data 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 No data 0 0 24 1 1 0 1 211 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 56 32 0 80 0 0 1 10 0 No data 0 No.of young people completing No.of young education and university financially training vocational startingsupported a private for business 10 42 133 8 20 349 5 0 90 5 23 26 0 5 0 17 25 6 164 4 30 4 18 6 0 15 36 No data 14 5 1 67 19 23 3 55 0 9 7 13 4 63 450 0 4 56 15 23 0 No data 461 273 No data 3 No data 5 77 5 No data 0

No. ofNo. PwDs supported the Municipality for by education and vocational training 0 777 No data 0 38 180 24 0 234 102 No data 0 97 0 0 12 0 0 0 0 6235 0 20 20 4 0 147 0 0 0 25 No data 0 0 29 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 0 492 0 0 140 63 0 0 20 0 0 25 45 647 0 No. ofNo. students attending vocational education, who receive scholarships. 70 777 No data 30 592 3085 222 0 234 51 31 30 0 0 0 496 6614 23 0 12 6235 147 250 330 2600 68 No data 0 289 0 20 1878 771 0 0 No data 0 36 38 0 12 20 506 30 0 964 0 42 150 0 120 86 0 24 hoseholds 280 0 105 No data 45 27 6 No. of unemployed people ofNo. unemployed receiving financial assistance that are financially supported education and vocational for training oll Vore Vlore Vau I Dejes Vau Ura Vajgurore Ura Tropoje Tirane Tepelene Skrapar Shkoder Shijak Selenice Sarande Rrogozhine Roskovec Pustec Puke Prrenjas Polican Pogradec Permet Peqin Patos Mirdite Memaliaj Mat Mallakaster Maliq Malesi e Madhe Lushnje Librazhd Libohove Lezhe Kurbin Kukes Kucove Kruje Korce Konispol Kolonje Klos Kelcyre Kavaje Kamez Himare Has Gramsh Gjirokaster Fushe Arrez Finiq Fier Elbasan Durres Dropull Cerrik Dev Divjake Bulqize Delvine Diber Berat Belsh 19.3. Support programs work active for Table 20 Table

92 2018 Assessment Report 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment A total number of 27,322 jobseekers benefited cash social assistance and were also supported by the municipality to be part of the vocational program in 2018; to this end, the municipalities coordinated actions with the Regional/Local Employment Offices. An average number of 683 unemployed persons were assisted by the municipalities (N=58).

A total numberThe number of 27,322 of unemployed jobseekers jobseekers ben- covered by theREO/LEO. municipal 161fund under(N=56) the PwD, NE scheme on average, were A total10000 efitednumber ofcash 27,322 social jobseekers assistance benefited and were cash also social assistancesupported. A and total werenumber also of 9, supported 387persons by were the supported by the municipality to be part of supported. About 5% of the municipalities (N=61) municipality to be part of the vocational program40 Municipalities in 2018; cover 27.322to this jobseekers end, the municipalities coordinated actions1000 thewith vocational the Regional/Local program in 2018;Employment to this end,Offices. An averagehaven’t providednumber ofany 683 data unemployed about this indicator. persons

26 Municipalities do not data No were assisted100 by the municipalities (N=58). cover unemployed Graph 55 jobseekers 10 The number of unemployed jobseekers covered by the municipal fund under the NE scheme

10000 1 40 Municipalities cover 27.322 jobseekers 1000 Has Fier Klos Mat Vore Finiq Puke Kruje Vlore Belsh Berat Diber Patos Peqin Korce Maliq Lezhe Kukes Shijak Cerrik Devoll Tirane Kurbin Kavaje Pustec Kamez Durres Polican Bulqize Kucove Kelcyre Divjake Himare Permet Dropull Mirdite Delvine Kolonje Skrapar Elbasan Lushnje Tropoje Gramsh Sarande Shkoder Prrenjas Selenice Librazhd Konispol No data No Libohove Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj 26 Municipalities do notRoskovec

100 Gjirokaster Vau I Dejes Vau Rrogozhine Mallakaster cover unemployed Fushe Arrez Ura Vajgurore

jobseekersMalesi e Madhe 10

About1 39% of the municipalities have provided services to assist the enrollment of PwD in the skills development program. These services are coordinated with Vocational Education Centers and Has Fier Klos Mat Vore Finiq Puke Kruje Vlore Belsh Berat Diber Patos Peqin Korce Maliq Lezhe Kukes Shijak Cerrik Devoll Tirane Kurbin Kavaje Pustec Kamez Durres Polican Bulqize Kucove Kelcyre Divjake Himare Permet Dropull Mirdite

REO/LEO. 161 (N=56) PwDs, on average, were supported.Delvine A total number of 9,387 persons were Kolonje Skrapar Elbasan Lushnje Tropoje Gramsh Sarande Shkoder Prrenjas Selenice Librazhd Konispol Libohove Tepelene Pogradec Memaliaj Roskovec Gjirokaster Vau I Dejes Vau supported. About 5% of the municipalitiesRrogozhine (N=61) haven‟t provided any data about this indicator. Mallakaster Fushe Arrez Ura Vajgurore Malesi e Madhe Municipalities' support for skills development - 2018 Aboutthe 39% municipalities of the municipalities coordinated haveactions provided with services Aboutto assist 77% the of enrollment the municipalities of PwD havein the sup skills- ported vocational education (scholarships) in developmenttheEducated Regional/Local youngprogram. people Employment These services Offices. are1.02% coordinatedAn with Vocational0.48% Education0.13% Centers andNo average numberPwDs of 683 unemployed persons62.30% 2018, with an29.51% average number8.20% of 48 pupils REO/LEO. 161 (N=56) PwDs, on average, were supported. A total number of 9,387 persons wereYes supportedwere assisted. About by 5%Pupils the of municipalities the13.11% municipalities (N=58). (N=61) haven‟t77.05%(N=47); provided 161unemployed any data about 9.84%persons, this indicator. on aver- No data Unemployed 55.74% 39.34% 4.92% Graph 56 Municipalities' support for skills development - 2018

About 77%Educated of the young municipalities people have supported1.02% vocational education 0.48%(scholarships)0.13% in 2018, withNo an average number of 48PwDs pupils (N=47);, 16162.30% unemployed persons, on29.51% average, 8.20%were supported for Yes skills development; a Pupilstotal of13.11% 9,384 persons were supported77.05% in 2018. 9.84% No data In general, municipalitiesUnemployed have been involved55.74% in drafting policies or initiatives39.34% to raise4.92% funds to set up new businesses or to support self-employment of young educated persons. This has been supported also by various donor-funded projects. About 77% of the municipalities have supported vocationalage, education were supported (scholarships) for skills in 2018,development; with an About 39% of the municipalities have provided 15%average of thenumber municipalities of 48 pupils have (N=47);,provided 161 support unemployed to young a personseducated total of, on9,384 persons average persons in, orderwere were tosupported supported set up a infornew services to assist the enrollment of PwD in the skills businessskills development (N=61); ;5 a casestotal ,of on 9,384 average, persons were were supported supported in2018. in2018 2018. (N=54); 11% of the municipalities didn‟t providedevelopment data program. about thisThese indicator. services are coor- In general,dinated municipalities with Vocational have Education been involvedCenters and in drafting policiesIn general, or initiatives municipalities to raise have fund beens involvedto set up new businesses or to support self-employment of young educated persons. This has been supported Graph 57 also by various donor-fundedSupport for projects.skills development and setting up new business for educated young persons

15% of10000 the municipalities have provided support to young educated persons in order 10000to set up a new 1000 1000 Max business100 (N=61); 5 cases, on average, were supported in 2018 (N=54); 11% of the100 municipalities didn‟t provide10 data about this indicator. 10 Min 1 1 Mes Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja per biznesin e Nr total te papuneveSupport for skills developmentnxenesve and setting up newPAK business for educatedte rinjve young te arsimuar persons

Awareness10000 level about NEET and the level of active cooperation among regional employment10000 offices 1000 1000 Max and the 100municipal services is very low concerning active economic involvement of the 100persons belonging 10 10 Min 1 1 2018 Assessment Report Mes 93 Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja e arsimimit te Mbeshtetja per biznesin e Nr total te papuneve nxenesve PAK te rinjve te arsimuar

Awareness level about NEET and the level of active cooperation among regional employment offices and the municipal services is very low concerning active economic involvement of the persons belonging 4.6. Chapter 19: Social Policy and Employment

in drafting policies or initiatives to raise Concerning joint initiatives between the mu- funds to set up new businesses or to support nicipalities and Regional/Local Employment self-employment of young educated persons. Offices toreintegrate NEET category, only 23 This has been supported also by various do- % of the municipalities have reported that nor-funded projects. they have established good cooperation, while 66% of them didn’t provide any evi- 15% of the municipalities have provided sup- dence or confirm the cooperation. port to young educated persons in order to set up a new business (N=61); 5 cases, on Problems and challenges average, were supported in 2018 (N=54); 11% of the municipalities didn’t provide . Lack of initiatives and grants to support data about this indicator. new business start-ups by young educated people, self-employment and job for- Awareness level about NEET and the level of malization at the local level. active cooperation among regional employ- . Cooperation among central and local ment offices and the municipal services is low government institutions in various func- concerning active economic involvement of tions of the social area including NEET the persons belonging to the NEET category: category should be enhanced; 15% of the municipalities have had a very . Cooperation with the local NGOs to im- good/and good level of awareness about prove economic inclusion and opening NEET, while 69% of the municipalities - poor of the social business entities should be or very poor level of awareness about NEET. strengthened.;

Graph 58 CONCLUSIONS ON SOCIAL POLICY AND EMPLOYMENT

Limited progress has been made in terms of human resource capacities in social protection at the local level. The municipalities had an average number of 2 additional local government officials responsible for social inclusion in 2018; around 50% of the municipalities didn’t have any additional staff in 2018. 234 local public officials were trained in different areas of the social protection areas in About 77% of the municipalities (N=61) hav- 2018 – 4 local employees, on average, were en’t provided any support/service to NEEE cat- trained in all the municipalities (this indicator egory. Only 5% of the municipalities have pro- is lower compared to 6 in 2017); about 28% vided assistance to NEET category, which shows of the municipalities haven’t participated improvement compared with 2017 (3%). in any capacity building program in 2018. 51% of the municipalities haven’t set up yet Graph 59 the “Needs Assessment and Referral Sector” within the Social Services Directorate of the Municipality. 54% of the municipalities have drafted the Assessment Report on Social Pro- tection. 46% of municipalities have drafted a local plan of social inclusion. 53% of the municipalities have failed to participate in any training program on the methodology of social protection and social inclusion in 2018.

94 2018 Assessment Report 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Cooperation in terms of support for active la- (1994), National Action Plan for Integration bor programs has made some progress. About of Roma and Egyptian minorities (NAPIRE), 23% of the municipalities have had cooper- 2016-2020. ation with employment services (REO/LEO) in 2018 to increase employment opportuni- The duty of local government to protect hu- ties and skills development, something which man rights, cultural diversity and social cohe- shows improvement compared to 10% re- sion is outlined in Principle 11 of Good Gov- ported in 2017; however, 66% of the mu- ernance and the Strategy for Innovation and nicipalities didn’t report any cooperation. Public Administration. The core concepts of Around 15% of the municipalities have sup- human rights and cultural diversity are based ported young educated persons to set up on the following: (i) human rights are respect- new businesses, or support was provided to ed, protected and implemented, and discrim- 5 cases, on average. Around 15% of the mu- ination on any grounds is combated within nicipalities report about a very good/and the local authority’s sphere of influence; (ii) good level of awareness about NEET, while cultural diversity is treated as an asset, and 69% of the municipalities - poor or very poor continuous efforts are made to ensure that all level of awareness about NEET. the local community has a stake in it, identify with it and don’t feel excluded; (iii) social cohesion and the integration of disadvantaged 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and areas are promoted; (iv) access to essential fundamental rights services is preserved, in particular, for the most disadvantaged parts of the population. The legal framework to ensure the respecting Specific objective: Strengthening the system of human rights in Albania is well developed; for the protection of child rights it starts with the Constitution of the Republic of Albania and several important Univer- The progress is assessed through nine (9) per- sal Declarations and International Conven- formance indicators. 53 tions . The national legal framework is well . 90% of the municipalities have set up the Child developed including the Ombudsman Law Protection Unit within the Social Protection Di- (8454/1999), Law on the Personal Data Pro- rectorate in 2018 compared to 61% in 2017 tection (9887/2008), Law on the Gender Eq- under the legal provisions of the law55; the rest uity (9970/2008), Election Code (2008), Law on Legal Aid (10039/2008), Law 18/2017 Graph 60 “On the Child Rights and Protection”, Law on the Protection from Discrimination (2010), Decision of Council of Ministers on the Estab- lishment of the State Committee on Minorities, as amended, (Decision of Council of Ministers 726/December 2018)54, National Plan for Stabilization and Association Agreement, as amended, Law on the Rights and Protection of Minorities(2006/2007), Decision of Coun- cil of Ministers on the Education of Minority Communities Members in the Mother Tongue

53 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 1948), adopted in our country 1955, International Convention on Civil and Political rights (1966), ratified in 1991, International Convention on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1976 (1991), the European Convention on Human rights of the Council of Europe, and the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe for the protection of the national minorities), the International Convention on the elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, 1980 (1996), the Convention on encouraging and protecting against unemployment (no. 168 of ILO), 1988 (2006), the Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960), the Convention for the protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse (Law no. 10071/2009) 54 Adopted on 12 December 2018 55 Law no. 18/2017 “On the Child’s Rights and Protection”.

2018 Assessment Report 95 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

of the municipalities have assigned the related disciplinary group compared to 2017 (19 task to one the existing employees of the Social cases). Only one (1) municipality has not pro- Protection Directorate of the Municipality. vided any data about this indicator. . About 80% of the municipalities (N=61) have The indicator concerning the budget allo- established the system of monitoring the cas- cation for child protection is defined as the es of violations of child’s rights in the territory percentage against the local budget for so- of the municipality. This shows a positive de- cial protection. About 54% of the municipal- velopment compared to 2017 (49%); about ities (N=61) reported no earmarked budget 16% of the municipalities haven’t established for 2018; around 25% of the municipalities such a system yet; one municipality is working have allocated earmarked budget for child on setting up the system. protection related actions; 4.5% of the social . An average number of 11 interdisciplinary sector budget (N=48) is the average ear- group meetings were held between the mu- marked budget of the municipalities; about nicipalities (N=54) about cases of children 21% of the municipalities didn’t provide any involved in abuses, violence, economic ex- data related to this indicator. ploitation or other forms of violation of child’s rights; this indicator ranged from 1 to 143 Graph 62 meetings56 during 2018. About 28% of the municipalities (N=54) have held more than 10 meetings of the interdisciplinary group for the child protections in 2018, which shows that the monitoring system enabling identification and prevention of abusive cases of the child’s rights isn’t strong yet. . An average number of 24 cases were identified and treated in 2018 across all the municipalities (N=60) by the interdisciplinary group for protection of child rights against abuses, violence or economic exploitation, in Human resources allocation for child protec- total 1,064; this indicator shows an increase tion varied from a minimum of 1 staff mem- of thethe number ofof casescases treated treated by bythe theinter interdisciplinary- ber upgroup to a compared maximum ofto 27staf2017 (19members; cases). Only one (1) municipality has not provided any data about this indicator. Graph 61

No. of activities for the promotion of children's rights 90% 5% 5%

No. of social workers of child protection 97% 2% 2%

2% No. of identified cases of violation of children's rights 74% 25%

No. of meetings of the interdisciplinary group for the violation of 85% 3% 11% children's rights

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Municipalities with activities / handled cases Municipalities with no activities / handled cases

The indicator concerning the budget allocation for childthe protection average isnumber defined of dedicatedas the percentage staff at against56 theTir analocal Municipality. budget for social protection. About 54% of the municipalities (N=61) reported no earmarked budget for 2018; around 25% of the municipalities have allocated earmarked budget for child protection related actions; 4.5% of the social sector budget (N=48) is the average earmarked budget96 of the municipalities; about 21% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any2018 data Assessment related to Report this indicator. Human resources allocation for child protection varied Local Budget allocated for children protection from a minimum of 1 staff member up to a maximum of 27 staf members; the average number of No. of dedicated staff at the national level is about 3 Municipalities members; a total number of 402 awareness-raising 21% with 0 budget and child rights promotion activities were organized No. of by the municipalities at the national level, while an Municipalities with budget average number of about 7 activities were organized 54% >0 between the municipalities (N=58); only 3 25% No data municipalities haven‟t provided any data in this regard. Problems and challenges . Lack of sufficient human and financial resources for the protection of child‟s rights at the local level. . High-level commitment and attention for setting up the system of monitoring the cases of violations of child's rights. . Limited financial and human capacities to increase and improve the quality of public service including legal services, psychological, childcare services, education and employment of family members. . The need to develop Management Information System or a simple database for services and to build reporting capacities. . Limited financial resources for setting up a specialized center for the provision of integrated services for abused children or children of vulnerable groups showing complex problems. . Lack of local CSOs targeting child protection and lack of local funding (grants) for implementation of the joint projects to support the needs of this target group. Specific objective: Effective implementation of Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection from Discrimination” European Integration represents not only an opportunity for Albania, but also a challenge in terms of effective enforcement of human rights and the effective implementation of the Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection from Discrimination”. The specific objective is assessed through four performance indicators.

78 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

the national level is about 3 members; a total grated services for abused children or chil- number of 402 awareness-raising and child dren of vulnerable groups showing complex rights promotion activities were organized by problems. the municipalities at the national level, while . Lack of local CSOs targeting child protection an average number of about 7 activities and lack of local funding (grants) for imple- were organized between the municipalities mentation of the joint projects to support the (N=58); only 3 municipalities haven’t provid- needs of this target group. ed any data in this regard. Specific objective: Effective implementation of Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection from Problems and challenges Discrimination” . Lack of sufficient human and financial resources for the protection of child’s rights at European Integration represents not only an the local level. opportunity for Albania, but also a challenge . High-level commitment and attention for set- in terms of effective enforcement of human ting up the system of monitoring the cases of rights and the effective implementation of violations of child’s rights. the Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection . Limited financial and human capacities to in- from Discrimination”. The specific objective is crease and improve the quality of public ser- assessed through four performance indica- vice including legal services, psychological, tors. childcare services, education and employ- . About 69% of the municipalities have partici- ment of family members. pated in the training programs on the protec- . The need to develop Management Informa- tion from discrimination, thus as total of 339 tion System or a simple database for services local officials were trained; 6 municipal staff and to build reporting capacities. members, on average, were trained, there- . Limited financial resources for setting up a fore benefiting from the capacity building in specialized center for the provision of inte- 2018 (compared to 2 in 2017).

2018 Assessment Report 97 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Table 21

23.2. Effective implementation of Law 10221/2010 “On Protection from Discrimination” and Public Awareness Raising No. of Civil Servants Establish a system for monitor- Level of cooperation of the Awareness campaigns organized trained on the Law ing cases of discrimination within Municipality with the Com- by the Municipality in Schools or on Protection from the territory of the Municipality: missioner for Protection from the Community for Protection from Discrimination Discrimination Discrimination of LGBTI Belsh 1 No 0 No Berat 1 Yes 1 Yes Bulqize 1 No No No Cerrik 4 No Good No Delvine 0 No No data No Devoll 1 No data No data No data Diber 0 Yes 0 No Divjake 1 Yes Very good No Dropull 1 No Good No Durres 21 No No Yes Elbasan 150 Yes Moderate Yes Fier 1 No 1 Yes Finiq 1 Yes No No Fushe Arrez 0 0 No No Gjirokaster 1 Yes 1 Yes Gramsh 0 Yes 0 No Has 4 No Good No Himare 0 No No No Kamez 0 No 0 No Kavaje 4 No Yes No Kelcyre 4 No Good No Klos 4 Yes No No Kolonje 1 No Good No Konispol 1 Yes 0 No Korce 20 Yes 3 No Kruje 1 Yes Very low Yes Kucove 100% No Yes No Kukes 5 No No Yes Kurbin 0 No No Yes Lezhe No data No data No data No data Libohove 0 No Yes No Librazhd 10 No 0 No Lushnje 3 No Yes Yes Malesi e Madhe 2 Yes 0 No Maliq 1 No 0 No Mallakaster 0 No 0 No Mat 15 0 0 No Memaliaj 1 No data No data No data Mirdite 6 Yes 0 No Patos 0 No 0 No Peqin 2 No No No Permet 4 No I mirë No Pogradec 24 Yes 0 No Polican 5 Yes No No Prrenjas 0 No 0 No Puke 0 No 0 Yes Pustec 1 No data No data No Roskovec No No No No Rrogozhine 2 No No No Sarande 0 No No No Selenice 6 2 Very good No Shijak 4 No 100% Yes Shkoder 0 Yes Very good No Skrapar 2 No 0 No Tepelene 1 Yes 0 No Tirane 2 No data 20 Yes Tropoje 4 1 No data No Ura Vajgurore 0 0 0 No Vau I Dejes 0 No 0 No Vlore 15 Yes Good Yes Vore 0 1 1 No

98 2018 Assessment Report . About 7% of the municipalities (or 4 municipalities) have reported about the cooperation with the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination (compared to 13% in 2017); 93% of the municipalities have had no cooperation with the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination; about 6% of the municipalities didn‟t provide data about this indicator.

. About 44% of the municipalities (N=61) have Establishment of a Case Monitoring system for organized awareness-raising campaigns for the Discrimination by Municipalities protection against discrimination including LGBT

rights; about 49% of the municipalities didn‟t 8%

organize any awareness campaign; this indicator 34% shows improvement compared to 2017 (98% of the Yes municipalities without any awareness campaign); about 6% of the municipalities didn‟t provide data about this indicator for the reporting period (2018).4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary57% and fundamental Norights

No data

Graph 64 Effective implementation of Law 10221/2010

3 Awareness campaign organized to protect against discrimination 45 of LGBTI people 13 No data 5 Establish a system for monitoring cases of discrimination within No 35 the territory of the Municipality 21 Yes

1 Number of Civil Servants Trained on the Law on Protection from 18 Discrimination 42 Problems and challenges . . AboutLack of34% sufficient of all thehuman municipalities and financial (N=61) resources Problems to effectively and challenges deal with the full range of the havecases established of discrimination the system at ofthe monitoring local level the. . Lack of sufficient human and financial resourc- . discriminationLack of appropriate cases, which capacity are identified building in the program about legal issues and services regarding the law and standards as required by the Law “On Protectiones to effectively from Discrimination deal with the full”.54 range of the . territoryLimited of financial the Municipality. capacities This indicator and attention shows of the municipalitycases of discrimination services atto theorganize local level. awareness- improvementraising campaign compared and to community 2017 (reported education as activities.. Lack of appropriate capacity building pro- . 25%).Lack ofThe local monitoring CSOs system and limited enables local the local fundin g (grants)gram to aboutundertake legal issuesjoint initiaand servicestives between regard- the administrationmunicipality toservices register andall the civil cases society identi -organization in the fight against discrimination and recognition of the monitories rights. ing the law and standards as required by the fied, ensure proper reporting to the municipal Law “On Protection from Discrimination”.57 Specific authority,objective: and E undertakeffective implementationeffective measures of in Law 96/2017 “On Rights and Protection of Ethnic Minorities” . Limited financial capacities and attention of cooperation with the Commissioner for Protec- the municipality services to organize aware- Improvement of the intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, promotion of Roma, Egyptians and othertion fromethnic Discrimination groups‟ (CPD);talents 8% ofin theart munic, musical- instruments,ness-raising craft campaign in social and- culturalcommunity activities, edu- strengtheningipalities ofdidn’t the provide cooperation available and data. coordination betweencation centralactivities. institutions and the municipal services are some of the priority measures of NAPIRE 2014. -2020.Lack of local CSOs and limited local funding . About 7% of the municipalities (or 4 municipal- (grants) to undertake joint initiatives between . ities)About have 47% reported of the about municipalities the cooperation have with organized in 2018 social and cultural activities and the municipality services and civil society or- theawareness- Commissionerraising for Protectioncampaig fromns on Discrimi Rights- and Protection of Ethnic Minorities, including the following; the organization of Roma Culture Weekganization (2-8 April)in the; fight1 June against - the discrimination International Children Day; 17 October – theGraph International 63 Dayand recognitionagainst Poverty of the monitories; 10 December rights. – the International Day of Tolerance, and other activities. Specific objective: Effective implementation of Law 96/2017 “On Rights and Protection of 54 Law 10221/2010 Ethnic Minorities” Improvement of the intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, promotion of Roma, 80 Egyptians and other ethnic groups’ talents in art, musical instruments, craft in social-cultural activities, strengthening of the cooperation and coordination between central institutions nation (compared to 13% in 2017); 93% of and the municipal services are some of the the municipalities have had no cooperation with priority measures of NAPIRE 2014-2020. the Commissioner for Protection from Discrim- . ination; about 6% of the municipalities didn’t About 47% of the municipalities have orga- provide data about this indicator. nized in 2018 social and cultural activities and . About 44% of the municipalities (N=61) have awareness-raising campaigns on Rights and organized awareness-raising campaigns for Protection of Ethnic Minorities, including the the protection against discrimination including following; the organization of Roma Culture LGBT rights; about 49% of the municipalities Week (2-8 April); 1 June - the International didn’t organize any awareness campaign; Children Day; 17 October – the International this indicator shows improvement compared Day against Poverty; 10 December – the Inter- to 2017 (98% of the municipalities without national Day of Tolerance, and other activities. any awareness campaign); about 6% of the 53% of the municipalities didn’t organize any municipalities didn’t provide data about this such activities; 4 municipalities haven’t provided indicator for the reporting period (2018). any data in this regard.

57 Law 10221/2010

2018 Assessment Report 99 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Table 22 23.3. The effective implementation of Law 2016 “On the Protection of Minorities in the Republic of Albania” Establishment of a system for Socio-cultural activities organized by the Written and oral bilingual public and admin- monitoring cases of violations of Municipality in order to increase aware- istrative services of the municipality, in the minority rights in the territory of the ness and mutual respect between the ma- cases of minorities within its territory Municipality jority and the minority of the population Belsh No Yes No Berat Yes Yes No Bulqize No No No Cerrik No 1 No Delvine No 1 No Devoll No data No data No data Diber Yes Yes No Divjake No 0 0 Dropull No 1 No Durres No Yes No Elbasan Yes 7 No Fier No 8 0 Finiq Yes Yes Yes Fushe Arrez No 0 0 Gjirokaster No 1 0 Gramsh No 0 0 Has No 0 No Himare No 0 No Kamez No 0 0 Kavaje No 0 0 Kelcyre No 1 No Klos No 0 No Kolonje No 1 No Konispol Yes Yes Yes Korce 0 1 0 Kruje 0 Yes 0 Kucove No 0 No Kukes No Yes No Kurbin No 0 0 Lezhe No data No data No data Libohove Yes 0 0 Librazhd 0 1 0 Lushnje No 0 0 Malesi e Madhe No 0 0 Maliq No 0 0 Mallakaster No 0 0 Mat No 0 0 Memaliaj No data No data No data Mirdite Yes No No Patos No 0 No Peqin No 0 No Permet No 1 No Pogradec No 10 0 Polican No No No Prrenjas No 0 0 Puke Yes 0 0 Pustec No No data 0 Roskovec No Yes No Rrogozhine 0 1 0 Sarande No 0 1 Selenice No No 1 Shijak No 3 0 Shkoder Yes Yes No Skrapar No 0 0 Tepelene 0 0 No Tirane No data 3 No data Tropoje No 0 0 Ura Vajgurore No 0 0 Vau i Dejes 0 0 0 Vlore No 4 No Vore 0 1 0

100 2018 Assessment Report 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Graph 65 Implementation of the Law 2016 "On the Protection of Minorities in the Republic of Albania"

Bilingual services 4 4 53 Activities to increase the respect of the majority and the minority 4 27 30 Establish a system for monitoring cases of violations of minority rights 4 9 48

No data Yes No

Specific objective: Improvement of the work coordination between central and local authorities to . The two-language public service is regulated Graph 66 implementby the Lawthe Nationalon the Minorities Action Plan Protection. for the OnlyIntegration of Roma and Egyptians minorities 2016-2020 During7% ofthe the last municipalities two years, more(N=57) municipalities provide the have been committed to the drafting of local plans and initiativespublic serviceswith focus in ontwo the languages; integration 4 ofmunici Roma- and Egyptians into economic and social life and in the frameworkpalities didn’tof law provide enforcement any data55. Saboutome municipalitiesthis have developed with the support of donor- fundedindicator. projects local plans, which are aligned with the national priorities outlined in the NAPIRE 2014- 2020 and in compliance with the legal framework. TheSpecific improvement objectiv e:of Improvement the coordination of the betweenwork central government institutions at the local level and municipalcoordination services, between establishment central and of local integrated service systems at local level, economic empowerment, applicationauthorities of to the implement instruments the National to improve Action the education level (e.g., part-time secondary education for thePlan adult for persons),the Integration free ofof Roma charge and vocational training, awareness-raising about social protection programsEgyptians ( cashminorities social 2016-2020 assistance, social pension, unemploymentmunicipal social benefit, services disabilitystaff on sector allowance), legis- assistance to submit the application for the cash social assistancelation, human, training rights, of behavior municipal change, social model services staffDuring on sector the last legislation, two years, human more rights,municipali behavior- change, model for enhancing the accessibility of for enhancing the accessibility of vulnerable vulnerableties have communities been committed to the to public the drafting services of have been some of the measures implemented at the local communities to the public services have been level.local plans and initiatives with focus on the integration of Roma and Egyptians into eco- some of the measures implemented at the lo- nomic. About and social 28% life of and the in themunicipalities‟ framework of staff participatedcal level. in the training programs on local law enforcementengagements58. Somerelated municipalities with NAPIRE have in 2018 (N=53); about 72% of the municipalities haven‟t participated in any training program for the. implementationAbout 28% of of the NAPIRE. municipalities’ This indicator staff par shows- developed with the support of donor-funded ticipated in the training programs on local projectsthat local the situationplans, which has slightlyare aligned improved with compared to 2017 (reported as 78%); 8 municipalities haven‟t provided any data. engagements related with NAPIRE in 2018 the national priorities outlined in the NAPIRE (N=53); about 72% of the municipalities ha- 2014-2020. About and30% in of compliance the municipalities with the legal (N=61) have ven’t participatedLocal Plan for Integration in any trainingof Roma and program Egyptians for framework.reported that a local plan for integration of the implementation ofminorities NAPIRE. This indicator R/E at the local level is drafted and adopted shows that the situation3% has slightly improved The improvementby the municipal of the council; coordination the LPIRE be -has been compared to 2017 (reported as No78%); 8 tweendrafted central throughgovernment the institutionsconsultation at processthe with 5% municipalities haven’t provided any data. local thelevel andcommuni municipalties services,and the establish local- NGOs Yes ment of integrated service systems at local representing their interests; 3% of the. About 30% of the municipalities (N=61)No data have 30% level, municipalitieseconomic empowerment, reported applicationthat the development of reported that a local plan for integration of the instrumentsprocess of to LPIRE improve was the ongoing. education lev- In process R/E at the local level is drafted62% and adopted el (e.g., part-time secondary education for by the municipal council; the LPIRE has been the. adult45% persons), of the municipalitiesfree of charge have vocational participated in drafted through the consultation process with training,trainings awareness-raising about the implementation about social pro of- ROMALB the communities and the local NGOs repre- system including data collection, updating and tection programs (cash social assistance, so- senting their interests; 3% of the municipal- reporting (N=55); around 2 municipalities, on average, have participated in trainings (this cial pension, unemployment benefit, disability ities reported that the development process shows improvement compared to 2017 with the average number of 1 municipality; six (6) allowance), assistance to submit the applica- of LPIRE was ongoing. tion formunicipalities the cash social haven‟t assistance, provided training any ofdata.

58 . LawAbout 96/2017 57% “On the Rightsof the and Protectionmunicipalities of Ethnic haveMinorities” regularly used the ROMALB system (N=56); 5 municipalities haven‟t provided any data.

2018 Assessment Report 101

55Law 96/2017 “On the Rights and Protection of Ethnic Minorities”

82 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Graph 67

Integration of Roma and Egyptians . 45% of the municipalities have participat- Some municipalities have made investments in 2 ed in trainings about the implementation3 of the last year to improve the conditions of the Local Plan for the integration of Roma and Egyptians 18 ROMALB system including data collection, houses. 38 In process 6 No.updating of trainings and on ROMALB reporting electronic (N=55); system around 2 25 No data . About 51% of the municipalities30 (N=57) have municipalities, on average, have participat5- Yes Regular use of ROMALB electronic system supported in 2018 Roma30 and Egyptian commu- ed in trainings (this shows improvement com- 26 No 8 nities with investment projects, which were funded pared to 2017Civil servant with trained the onaverage NAPIRE number of 15 by the central budget under the social38 housing 1 municipality; six (6) municipalities haven’t program,59 by the Regional Development Fund, provided any data. and by their own budget. Tirana, Shkoder, Fier, Roma and Egyptian minorities are facing poor quality ofElbasan, housing Pogradec, conditions Berat inand some Kruje areas municipali of -the . About 57% of the municipalities have reg- municipalities, weak infrastructure in their living areas, problemsties have implemented with properties‟ 3 to 10 projects legalization in support and ularly used the ROMALB system (N=56); 5 Roma illegal settlements. Some municipalities have made ofinvestment these ethnics inminorities; the last the year average to improve number is the municipalities haven’t provided any data. conditions of the houses. about 2 projects (N=29); 4 municipalities haven’t Roma and Egyptian minorities are facing poor provided any data about this indicator. . qualityAbout of 51%housing of conditions the municipalities in some areas (N=57) of have supported in 2018 Roma and Egyptian thecommunities municipalities, with weak investment infrastructure projects in ,their which were. fundedA total bynumber the centralof 4217 budget jobseekers under were the regis social- livinghousing areas, program problems,56 with by properties’the Regional legal Development- tered Fund, (N=45), and 1778by their of whom own were budget. employed. Tirana, izationShkoder, and RomaFier, illegalElbasan, settlements. Pogradec, Berat and Kruje municipalities have implemented 3 to 10 projects in support of these ethnic minorities; the average number is about 2 projects (N=29); 4 municipalities haven‟t provided any data about this indicator. . A total number of 4217 jobseekers were registered (N=45), 1,778 of whom were employed.

Graph 68 Implementation of Local Plan for R/E Integration

Min Max Mes Total 10000 10000

1000 1000

100 100

10 10

1 1 Number of projects implemented in Number of R/E jobseekers Number of R/E employees in the Number of R / E employees in the support of the Roma / Egyptian registered in the reporting year reporting year Municipality's institutions during community the reporting year

59 The Ministry of Finance and Economy

102 2018 Assessment Report

56The Ministry of Finance and Economy

83 0 0 0 5 1 1 6 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 4 4 0 1 0 0 5 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 3 1 0 2 0 21 15 23 26 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data the Municipality’s institutions the Municipality’s 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 0 2 4 0 0 9 0 5 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 17 36 60 83 62 20 30 Yes 108 1324 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data Number of employees R / E Number of employees in of Number employees E / R 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 97 32 80 80 50 228 141 982 100 219 150 150 117 630 522 627 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data Number of regis- jobseekers tered in the reporting year 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 3 0 4 0 1 3 1 1 0 0 1 1 3 1 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 5 10 No data No data No data No data No. projects implemented projects No. in support of the R/ E community 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 18 33 24 37 54 40 44 25 No 0% 5% 46% 0/85 2/41 10/14 10/14 21/64 69/259 50.00% 65/100 No data No data No data No data 115/672 No differentiated treatment No. ofNo. beneficiaries R / E of /total social housing programs applications 0 No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No data No data No data No data No data Regular use of the RO- Regular system MALB electronic 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 6 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 3 0 1 1 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 5 No data No data No data No data No data No data No. ofNo. conducted trainings on ROMALB system No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No data No data No data In process In process Local Action Plan for Roma Roma Action Plan for Local prepared and Egyptian / Planned s No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Ye No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data Civil Servant of LG Trained for for Civil Servant of Trained LG Commitments of the Municipali- NAPIRE ty for Mat Memaliaj Mallakaster Maliq Lushnje Malesi e Madhe Librazhd Libohove Lezhe Kukes Kurbin Kucove Kruje Korce Klos Kolonje Konispol Kamez Kavaje Kelcyre Vlore Vore Himare Vau i Dejes Vau Gjirokaster Gramsh Has Shijak Shkoder Tepelene Tirane Tropoje Ura Vajgurore Ura Fushe Arrez Skrapar Fier Finiq Roskovec Rrogozhine Sarande Selenice Elbasan Pustec Durres Puke Dropull Prrenjas Divjake Polican Pogradec Diber Peqin Permet Devoll Patos Delvine Belsh Berat Bulqize Cerrik Mirdite 23.4. Improve work coordination work the implementation between central and local authorities for and monitoring of23.4. Improve the National the Integration Action Plan for of of and Egyptians in the Republic Albania 2016-2020 Roma Table 23 Table

2018 Assessment Report 103 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Problems and challenges Graph 69 . Lack of coordination and joint efforts for regular monitoring and reporting on the progress of LPIRE implementation. . Lack of coordination among the municipalities and Line Ministries for resolving issues related to the transfer of buildings from central institutions to the municipalities. The build- ings60 have been used from R/E for many years. Lack of ownership by the municipality doesn’t allow the municipality to apply investment projects to improve living conditions. . About 83% of the municipalities appointed . Limited financial capacities to strengthen hu- the local coordinator responsible for gen- man resources covering the issues of Roma der issues regardless of whether the sector and Egyptian minorities at the local level. of gender equality is set up or not. This indi- . Failure to provide grants to the local CSOs cator shows improvement in 2018 compared supporting R/E minorities. to 2017. About 13% of the municipalities . Limited financial capacities to improve the haven’t appointed the local coordinator for living conditions and neighborhood urban gender issues. Two (2) municipalities (or 3% infrastructure of Roma and Egyptian minori- of the municipalities) didn’t provide any data ties according to the standards, and to build about this indicator). social houses in the territory of each municipality. The application of mechanisms in the frame- . Weak reporting capacities in relation to reg- work of referral against domestic violence is ular reporting on the progress of LPIRE im- operational in about 83% municipalities; 3% plementation; the implementation progress of the municipalities didn’t provide any data. of the local plan for these minorities isn’t pub- . With regards to capacity building programs lished on the municipality website. on gender issues, the municipal staff (N=54) Roma and Egyptian communities don’t have attended an average number of 4 trainings a continuous interest in accessing employ- This shows improvement compared to the ment services and the opportunities offered number of this indicator in 2017, which was by the employment services; lack of interest 1 training, on average; 7 municipalities have to follow and complete the compulsory edu- either provided inaccurate data nor no data cation and vocational training courses. at all.

Specific objective: Strengthening the system Graph 70 of ensuring gender equality . This specific objective of the National Strat- egy on Gender Equality and its Action Plan 2016-2020 is assessed by means of 13 performance indicators. . About 72% of the municipalities have set up the Gender Equality Sector as part of the Social Services Directorate (N=57); four (4) municipalities haven’t provided any data. This indicator shows improvement in 2018 compared to 2017 (75%). . Around 82% of the municipalities (N=61) have provided specialized services (total 99) 60 The case of Pogradec Municipality

104 2018 Assessment Report 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

to women who have been victims of domestic Graph 72 violence. The number of services to this target group ranged from 1 to 9, with an average of2 (similar level with 2017). . 79% of the municipalities have provided regular reporting into the REV-ALB system in the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with an average number of 12 reports. About 87% of the municipalities (N=61) have reported regularly on gender equality issues and other relevant topics at the local level, with an average number of 15 reports. maintenance and reconstruction of kindergar- About 25% of the municipalities (N=56) tens and nurseries is a local government func- have drafted gender-sensitive budget/MTBP. tion. About 75% of the municipalities (N=57) The indicator is slightly lower compared to have reported that municipalities have pro- reporting in 2017 ( 30%). vided the maintenance and reconstruction of kindergartens and nurseries in their territory. 17 kindergartens and nurseries, on average, Graph 71 were well maintained in 2018, while the total number was 761. About 18% of the municipalities haven’t provided any services for the maintenance or reconstruction of these pre- school education institutions; four (4) municipalities didn’t provide any data about 2018. About 57% of the municipalities (N=56) have reported that they had organized different activities to promote gender equality, women rights and the fight against domestic violence at the local level. This indicator was Around 52% of the municipalities cooperate about 5 activities (N=35), on average; about with civil society about gender equality issues 34% of the municipalities (N=56) haven’t or- through joint activities and partnerships, such ganized any awareness-raising activity on as on activities of promoting gender equali- gender equality at the local level. This indi- ty, daily work with community centers, meet- cator shows improvement compared to 2017 ings with individuals, families, and stakehold- (42% of the municipalities without any gen- ers. der-awareness activity). 59% of the municipalities have reported about services (case management) – a total of 156 cases managed or 3 cases, on average, for 2018; 21% of the municipalities didn’t provide any case management services; 20% of the municipalities didn’t provide any data related to this indicator. The existence of kindergartens and nurseries with standards and good services is a precondition, which enables active participation of women in the economic and social life. The

2018 Assessment Report 105 0 3 0 2 2 0 4 5 0 2 0 0 2 1 5 0 2 1 5 4 0 6 2 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 5 0 5 3 2 0 5 0 2 5 0 5 0 0 2 1 10 5 3 17 10 10 No 17 No data No data No data No data No data . of activities No organized by the by organized Municipality for Gen- Promoting der Equality 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 No Yes 2.3 1% 3% 0% 0 0 0 0 27% No 16.9% 0.20% 0.50% 0.30% 0.10% 1.12% 0,18% 70000 12000 88% 10.00% 900000 500000 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data 137,000 137,000 5.000.000 No data dedikuar 400.000 ALL 3 000 2783040 ALL 513.000 L V.2018 Nuk ka nje fond te Nuk ka nje fond Local budget for Women, Women, for Local budget Domestic Violence Victims: Social Social Housing, Care Services, Economic the Municipal- Aid against Social Sector Budget ity’s 0 0 4 2 0 1 7 0 0 5 1 6 5 4 9 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 4 0 1 15 22 15 21 41 31 21 26 14 14 13 27 17 65 33 73 15 30 10 13 20 43 No 6 6 1 5 5 17 74 15 2.00% No data No data No data No data . of kindergartens and kindergartens and kindergartens built/maintained by the Municipality in rural areas in the reporting year No 0 5 6 5 4 6 0 2 7 0 3 4 0 4 1 3 2 5 2 2 0 2 5 1 7 2 3 3 8 0 5 0 1 5 3 0 0 5 0 0 1 4 15 10 7 3 0 5 0 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No. ofNo. case management servicesagement 0 5 7 0 2 0 4 4 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 6 2 1 1 5 6 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 7 1 3 5 0 3 1 0 10 10 50 16 20 20 14 12 5 0 No data . of activities undertaken in with cooperation CSOs on gender discrimination No - J 0 0 0 No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Jo Jo No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data Gender budget ing of the Munic- drafted ipality’s in MTBP uaj 0 1 1 0 0 0 8 1 0 4 9 0 0 1 0 0 1 4 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 2 0 2 1 2 0 4 1 0 1 1 2 1 2 17 35 4 102 250 Po No data No data No data No data No data No data 118 cdo m No. ofNo. regular municipal reporting on MMSR equality at the gender local level 0 0 8 0 6 0 6 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 5 3 0 0 7 0 0 4 2 6 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 17 64 17 12 30 12 12 12 51 24 15 10 Yes Yes 250 Jo No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No .of regular Municipality MPS data reporting on the through monitoring process system the REV-ALB 0 1 6 0 0 1 1 0 1 5 5 3 4 5 4 1 3 1 5 1 0 5 0 3 2 3 3 0 0 4 0 0 9 1 0 0 4 1 5 0 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 No No Yes 3 1 No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No data No. ofNo. specialized services the Municipality by provided victims of women domestic for AUs violence / divided by 1 1 1 2 0 1 0 4 2 5 4 3 2 0 2 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 2 3 3 2 2 1 0 0 7 5 6 0 3 0 4 1 0 5 0 1 3 2 0 0 1 1 1 2 10 48 No Yes 0 No data No data No data No data No data No. of ofNo. trainings civil servants of the local administration equality with gender experts 1 No No No No No No No 11 No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Po Po No data No data Applying mechanisms of within the framework the Domestic Violence System Reference 1 1 1 1 No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 1 Po Local Coordinator on Gender Issues in Municipalities s 1 No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Ye Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Po Po No data No data No data No data No data No data Sector of Gender Equality in the Municipality apar Shkoder Shijak Selenice Sarande Roskovec Rrogozhine Korce Pustec Konispol Polican Prrenjas Kolonje Pogradec Puke Kavaje Klos Permet Kamez Kelcyre Peqin Himare Patos Gjirokaster Gramsh Has Mirdite Memaliaj Fier Fushe Arrez Mat Durres Elbasan Finiq Mallakaster Vlore Vore Dropull Divjake Diber Maliq Vau i Dejes Vau Lushnje Malesi e Madhe Ura Vajgurore Devoll Librazhd Tropoje Delvine Tirane Cerrik Libohove Tepelene Bulqize Berat Kruje Kucove Kukes Kurbin Lezhe Belsh 23.5. Strengthen ensuring gender equality the system for Skr Table 24 Table

106 2018 Assessment Report 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Problems and challenges Lack of local CSOs, which support women, and lack of local funding (grants) to imple- Limited financial capacities to setup social ment joint projects to support the needs of care services for women, victims of domestic this target group. violation and trafficking, and to build social houses. Specific objective: Effective implementation of the Law 93/2014 “On the Inclusion and Ac- . Limited financial capacities to cover potential cessibility of Persons with Disabilities” cases in the remote administrative unit of the municipalities. . The implementation progress of the mea- . Lack of sufficient human, technical and ad- sures, which are set out in the National Action ministrative resources dealing with the full Plan for PWD 2016-2020 at the local level range of these sensitive issues and special is assessed through 9 performance indicators: facilities. About 36% of the municipalities have estab- . The need to strengthen coordination between lished the Need Assessment and Referral Sector local administration and central institutions to within the Social Service Directorate. This indi- ensure effective implementation of the mea- cator shows improvement compared to 2017 sures under the National Strategy on Gender (16%); however, this structure was still missing in Equality and its Action Plan 2016-2020. about 57% of the municipalities (N=58).

2018 Assessment Report 107 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Table 25

23.6. Protection of PWD’s Rights: Effective Enforcement of Law 93/2014 “On the Inclusion and Access of Persons with Disabilities”

No. of aware- Establishment Prepare the Local Number of % increase of Share of schools in the Number of Public Institutions Civil Servants Road Infrastruc- ness-raising activities of the Needs Action Plan for 6- Monthly local budget funds Municipality equipped in the Municipality equipped of Local ture within the and training by all Assessment Social Inclusion of Reports from for the removal with infrastructure that with infrastructure providing Administra- Municipality institutions on the and Referral People with Dis- the Municipality of environmental provides access to access to the PA in relation tion for PWD Ensuring Acces- accessibility standards Unit abilities / Planned of MSHPS on and infrastruc- PWD in relation to the to the total number of public Matters sibility for PWD of people with dis- in the MTBP PWD issues ture barriers of total number of schools institutions (in%) (% km of urban abilities which Munici- disabled people in the Municipality area) pality participated in the territory of (in %) Municipality Belsh 6 Jo Jo 0 5.00% 5.00% 5% 1 0% Berat 5 Po Po 0.17% 30% 4/45 0.2% 6 0% Bulqize 0 Jo Jo 0 0.00% 0 1 1 Jo Cerrik 2 Jo Po 6 0 19.20% No data 5 No data Delvine 2 Jo Jo 6 No data 0 2 3 No data Devoll No data No data No data No data No data No data No data 2 0 Diber 3 Jo Po 0 No data 5 No data 15 7-8% Divjake No data Po Po 2 10.00% 60.00% 2.00% 5 2.00% Dropull 0 Jo Jo 0 0.00% 0.00% 20.00% Po 60.00% Durres 11 Jo Po 2 0 95.00% 80.00% 11 80.00% Elbasan 25 Po Po 3 30.00% 80.00% 75.00% 16 65.00% Fier 5 Po Po 2 0 No data No data 2 No data Finiq 1 Jo Jo 0 0% 0 0 5 5% Fushe Arrez 4 Po Po 0 0 3 0 Po 0.50% Gjirokaster 2 Po Po 6 0 0 0 2 10% Gramsh 5 Po Po 2 0 20% 60% 10 85% Has 0 Jo No data 0 0 No data No data No data No data Himare 2 Po Jo 2 0 0% 0% 3 0% Kamez 48 Jo Po 2 X/Month j 3.00% 70.00% 1% 3 0 Kavaje 4 Po Jo 2 0.00% 3.33% 0.05 0 85.00% Kelcyre 0 Jo Jo 0 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 5 13.00% Klos 0 Jo Po 2 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4 0.00% Kolonje 0 Jo Po 0 0.00% 1.00% 30.00% 7 10.00% Konispol 1 Jo Jo 2 0.00% 0 0 5 3.00% Korce 3 Jo Po 0 1.17% 12 6 2 40% Kruje 3 Jo Po 2 No data 3 100% 6 No data Kucove 0 Po Jo Po 0 2/18 2/7 4 0 Kukes 2 Jo Jo 2 0.016% 11.60% 4 7 No data Kurbin 0 Jo Jo 2 0 6 14 4 15% Lezhe 2 Po Po 2 No data No data No data 2 No data Libohove 0 Po Jo 0 2 3 1 50% Librazhd 3 Jo Po 0 2 63 63% 0 20% Lushnje Jo Po Jo 2 0 4% 28.57% 1 0 Malesi e Madhe 5 Jo Po 6 0 40% 30% 2 2% Maliq 0 Jo Jo 0 0 0 0 0 30% Mallakaster 8 1 Jo 2 0% 100% 8 4 80% Mat 1 Jo Po 0 0 1% No data 0 0 Memaliaj No data No data In process 2 No data 2 3 1 No data Mirdite 6 Jo Jo 0 1% 98% 90% 7 40% Patos 0 Jo Jo 0 0 0% 10% 3 30% Peqin 10 Jo Po 2 0 7 0 6 Po Permet 7 Jo Po 0 0 18% 58% 5 13% Pogradec 2 Po Po 2 0 4.60% 20% 9 5% Polican 1 Po Jo 0 0% 25.00% 15% 3 100.00% Prrenjas 2 Jo Jo 2 0 6.67% 3 1 0 Puke 1 Jo Jo 6 0 0 0 1 0 Pustec No data Jo No data No data No data No data No data No data No data Roskovec 0 Jo Jo Jo 0 100% 100% 1 100% Rrogozhine 0 Jo Po 0 0 0 0 1 10% Sarande 0 Jo Jo 1 31.20% 50% 50% 1 25% Selenice 3 Po No data 2 No data No data 1 6 No data Shijak 2 Jo Po 1 0 0 5 4 70% Shkoder 2 In process Jo Periodic No data 15% 85% 11 6% Skrapar 1 Po Jo 2 0 0 5.90% 1 0% Tepelene 2 Po Jo 2 0% 4% 0 1 25% Tirane 10 Po Po No data No data 70.00% No data No data No data Tropoje 2 Po Jo Periodic 0 1 0 8 0 Ura Vajgurore 0 No data Jo No data No data No data No data No data No data Vau i Dejes 2 0 Jo 0 0 5% 3% 7 80% Vlore No data Po Jo No data 0 90%. No data 10 60% Vore 1 0 Po 2 0 1 2% 1 40%

108 2018 Assessment Report 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

Graph 73 higher compared to 2017 (23% of the municipalities with the local plan adopted); 4 municipalities didn’t provide any available data for the reporting period. Pursuant to the legal provisions of Law 93/2014 ”On the Inclusion and Accessi- bility of PwDs”, the Municipalities have to report regularly every six months to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MHSP). About 84% of the municipalities have reported regularly, while 13% of the municipalities have either provided incor- About 82% of the municipalities (N=54) rect data or no data at all. have assigned public officials for PwD issues, while about 6% of the municipalities haven’t . Effective implementation of the Law on PwDs allocated any human resources for this target requires allocation of the necessary financial group. The average number of social workers resources. The accessibility of the services by assigned to this function in the municipalities the PwDs is closely linked with the building is 4 (N=54). About 66% of the municipalities of appropriate infrastructure. The average services (N=56) have participated in promo- increase (in percentage) of local budget tion and awareness-raising campaign about funds for removing infrastructure obstacles PwDs’ rights and in trainings on the accessibil- for people with disabilities was 2.3% higher ity standards; 26% of the municipalities didn’t in 2018 compared to 2017 (N=50). About participate in any such promotion and train- 18% of the municipalities have reported in- ing activity in 2018; 4 promotion activities, on crease of the local budget in terms of infra- average, were supported in 2018, a number structure improvement (roads, schools, public which is higher compared to 2017 (1 activity). services), while 64% of the municipalities haven’t increased the sector budget. Graph 74 . About 34% of schools, on average, are provided with PwD infrastructure in 72% of the municipalities (N=54), whereas about 28% of the municipalities have reported no available schools infrastructure for PwDs. . 32% of the local public institutions and services, on average, are provided with PwD infrastructure in 74% of the municipalities (N=50); about 26% of the municipalities (N=50) have reported that they don’t have any appropriate infrastructure for the PwDs; about 18% of the municipalities haven’t pro- Institutional measures at the local level re- vided any data. garding the inclusion of PwD are generally part of the Social Protection and Inclusion About 56% of the municipalities have re- Plan, which is drafted and adopted by the ported the existence of road infrastructure municipality. About 44% of the municipali- with accessibility for PwDs in the urban area; ties (N=57) have either adopted the LP of 23% of the municipalities have reported that Social Inclusion or have it under the drafting they don’t have any road infrastructure with process. The percentage of this indicator is accessibility for PwDs. 31% of local roads

2018 Assessment Report 109 4.7. Chapter 23: Judiciary and fundamental rights

had infrastructure with accessibility from earmarked budget for 2018; PwDs compared to the total road length in In view of the effective implementation of the the urban area (N=48) at the end of 2018. Law 10221/2010 “On the Protection from Problems and challenges Discrimination”, around 69% of the municipalities have participated in the capacity Limited financial sources to cover the capacity building programs on the protection from building needs of socials workers for PwDs. discrimination, or 6 staff members, on average, were trained; about 48% of all the . Limited local financial sources for adapting inmunicipalities have established the system frastructure to ensure accessibility of PwDs in of monitoring the discrimination cases, which public schools, public institutions and services, are identified in the territory of the munic- and their mobility. ipality; 7% of the municipalities (or 4 mu- Lack of sufficient human resources to cover nicipalities) have reported cooperation with the needs of this target group at the local the Commissioner for Protection from Discrim- level. ination (compared to 13% in 2017); 93% of the municipalities have had no cooperation CONCLUSIONS ON JUDICIARY AND FUN- with the Commissioner for Protection from DAMENTAL RIGHTS Discrimination during 2018; about 49% of the municipalities didn’t organize any aware- Very good progress is made in terms of ness campaign about the protection from any strengthening the system for the protection of form of discrimination. child’s rights, while the level of the budget allocated to child protection measures remains In view of effective implementation of the low. Around 90% of the municipalities have Law 96/2017 “On the Protection of Ethnic set up the Child Protection Unit within the Minorities”, about 47% of the municipalities Social Protection Directorate in 2018 (com- have organized social and cultural activities pared to 61% in 2017). Around 80% of the and awareness-raising campaigns about the municipalities have established the system of Rights and Protection of Ethnic Minorities; 7% monitoring the cases of violations of child’s of the municipalities (N=57)deliver public rights in the territory of the municipality (com- services provision in two languages. pared to 49% in 2017). A total of 620 meet- Progress is reported with regard to local admin- ings of interdisciplinary group meetings were istration capacity building for the integration of organized by 85% of the municipalities in Roma and Egyptian minorities. About 28% of 2018 about cases of child abuses, violence, the municipalities’ staff participated in the economic exploitation or other forms of vio- training programs on local engagements relation, with an average number of 11 meet- lated to NAPIRE; 72% of the municipalities ings. Around 1,064 cases were identified haven’t participated in any training program and treated by the interdisciplinary group about the implementation of NAPIRE. Local for child protection in 2018, with an aver- plans for integration of R/E were drafted age number of 24 cases in 2018 (19 cases and adopted by the municipal councils of of child rights violations identified in 2017). about 30% of the municipalities; 45% of the There are 175 social workers dedicated to municipalities have participated in trainings child protection (on average 3 staff mem- for ROMALB system including data collection, bers/municipality) at the national level. 25% updating and reporting (N=55), with a par- of the municipalities have allocated ear- ticipation in 2 trainings, on average, in 2018. marked budget for child protection, with an About 51% of the municipalities (N=57) average of 4.5% of the social sector budget; have supported Roma and Egyptian commu- about 54% of the municipalities reported no nities with investment projects funded by the

110 2018 Assessment Report 4.8. Chapter 22: Regional Policies

central budget under the social housing program in 2018. 4.8. Chapter 22: Regional Policies Measures to strengthen gender equality and to draft gender-sensitive budget have continued. Collaboration between two or more Local Around 72% of the municipalities have set Government Units to perform functions and up the Gender Equality Sector as part of the provide specific services of mutual benefit Social Services Directorate; about 83% mu- may be accomplished by two or more LGUs nicipalities had appointed the local coordi- within a Regional Council or between differ- nator responsible for gender issues. A total ent Regional Councils through a Joint Powers of 146 staff members or 4 staff members, Authority61. This collaboration can be ef- on average, were trained on gender issues; fectively carried out based on a mutual joint around 82% of the municipalities have de- agreement, the delegation of competenc- livered specialized services (total 99) for es and responsibility or subcontracting to a women who have been victims of domestic third party. The agreement is then approved violence; 25% of the municipalities have by the respective municipal councils, and a drafted gender-sensitive budget/MTBP; re- notification is sent to the Prefect of the Re- ferring to the case management, 59% of the gion within 30 days of the date of the es- municipalities have reported services pro- tablishment of the Joint Powers Authority. The vided for the management of 156 cases in agreement between two or more Municipal- 2018; around 52% of the municipalities have ities becomes effective only after the legal cooperated with civil society about issues of clearance of the Perfect. Additionally, Munic- gender equality through joint activities and ipalities may make agreements and establish partnerships. partnerships with foreign institutions/LGUs of other countries, including EU Member States. Slow progress is made to ensure effective implementation of the Law 93/2014 “On the Graph 75 Inclusion and Accessibility of Persons with Dis- abilities”.

The Needs Assessment and Referral Sector was established in 36% of the municipalities. About 66% of the municipal service units have participated in the promotion and awareness-raising campaign about PwDs’ rights and they have attended trainings on the accessibility standards. 34% of the schools infrastructure, on average, which fulfills the standards for PwDs, is available, About 38% of the municipalities have coop- whereas about 23% of the municipalities erated with other municipalities in order to have reported that they don’t have any road improve economic development, to better infrastructure with accessibility for PwD that manage specific functions, while 34% of the is available in their municipalities. municipalities didn’t have any cooperation; around 28% of the municipalities failed to report or reported no data at all.

61 Law 139/2015, Article 14.

2018 Assessment Report 111 4.8. Chapter 22: Regional Policies

TableTable 26 26 Table 26 22.1. Strengthen cooperation in regional and local development in order to contribute to economic development and reduce regional inequalities No. of collaborations with other municipalitiesParticipation in Joint initiatives undertaken to reduce regional disparities Belsh 2 Yes Berat 3 No Bulqize 4 Yes Cerrik 1 Yes Delvine Devoll No data No data Diber 0 No Divjake Dropull 0 Yes Durres 0 No Elbasan 0 Yes Fier 3 No Finiq Fushe Arrez 0 No Gjirokaster 0 No Gramsh 5 No Has 2 Yes Himare 1 Yes Kamez 0 No Kavaje 5 Yes Kelcyre 3 Yes Klos 0 No Kolonje 0 No KonisYesl Korce No data Yes Kruje 2 Yes Kucove 2 Yes Kukes 18 Yes Kurbin 0 No Lezhe No data No data Libohove 2 No Librazhd 2 No Lushnje Malesi e Madhe 0 No Maliq 0 No Mallakaster 0 No Mat Memaliaj No data No data Mirdite 2 Yes Patos Peqin Permet 3 Yes Yesgradec 2 Yes Yeslican 1 Yes Prrenjas 0 No Puke 0 No Pustec No data No data Roskovec 0 No Rrogozhine 0 No Sarande 7 Yes Selenice 0 No Shijak 0 No Shkoder 6 Yes Skrapar 1 No Tepelene 0 No Tirane No data No data TroYesje 1 Yes Ura Vajgurore 0 No Vau i Dejes Vlore No data Yes Vore

112 4.9.4.9. Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security 4.9. Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security

Participation in joint initiatives to reduce re - nity centers. Bulqize Municipality and Dibra gional disparities is very limited, while coop- Municipality organize togetherthe Harvest eration in the framework of cross border pro- Fair and the “Dibra and Mati Days” in Tira - grams or twining initiatives with municipalities na, Ulza Fair, and the Coordinated Program from the EU Member States exist in few mu - for the Promotion of Preschool Education. nicipalities. “Dibra and Mati Days” Fair in Tirana serves as a way to promote the local products of the Poliçan Municipality has reported about co - area, reduce the differences between munici- operation with the neighboring municipalities palities, and to promote co-operation. in the area of waste management. Pogradec and Prrenjas municipalities cooperate in the area of forest and water management. “For- CONCLUSIONS ON REGIONAL POLICIES ty Municipalities” Project has helped with capacity building partnerships, exchanging of Inter-municipal cooperation remains at a mod - best practices and the establishment of the est level in terms of strengthening regional DSO. (Meath) and local cooperation in order to contribute to economic development and reduce region - Shkodra Municipality: membership in the fo - al inequalities, while cross-border cooperation rum of the cities located at the Adriatic and is increasing. Only 56% of the municipalities Ionian Sea, FAIC, Cooperation with Hungari- report about cooperation with other LGUs, an Water Technology Institute on issues relat- while 34% of municipalities have undertaken ed to water supply and sewerage, coopera- joint initiatives to reduce regional disparities. tion with Podgorica Municipality about joint 45% of municipalities are engaged in the initiatives in the field of civil society, environ- implementation of cross-border cooperation ment, tourism, arts and culture; cooperation projects, which are funded by IPA Cross-bor- with Strasbourg Municipality, part of the der Programs. European Solidarity Network - Strasbourg Club in the field of human rights protection. The municipalities have reported that con - Skrapar Municipality: Twinning with Vaccariz- ditions need to be set and behavior needs zo Albanese Municipality (Italy); Puka Munic- to be changed so that municipalities can get ipality: cooperation with Plava Commune in more engaged in inter-municipal coopera - the framework of IPA Montenegro – Albania tion initiatives. A more fostering environment CBC Program. Saranda Municipality: coop- needs to be developed, and the spirit of co - eration with Corfu Municipality, Ioannina Mu- operation should be enhanced. nicipality, Igumenica Municipality (Greece), 4.9.4.9. Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security Chapter 23: Justice,eedom, fr and security the of Riccione and Otranto municipalities (It- 4.9. Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security aly) and Suharek and Gjakova municipalities (Kosovo). Several activities and exchange of Combating organized crime is an objective experiences and best practices, especially of the National Plan for European Integration with Corfu and Ioannina, have taken place. 2017-2020 in the area of justice, freedom, Pogradec Municipality : it has approved the and security. cooperation agreement with the city of Wis - mar in Germany about the organization of Specific objective: Advancement of the fight Multicultural Festival and organization of ac- against organized crime tivities to promote local traditions and prod - The progress of this specific objective is assessed ucts. by means of three (3) performance indicators: Cooperation between the municipalities of . Setting up of the working group for the im - Shkoder, Lezhe and Kor ça to exchange ex - plementation of the Action Plan of the fight periences about the functioning of commu - against organized crime at the local level:

113 4.9.Chapter4.9.Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security 23: Justice, freedom, and security 4.9.Chapter 24: Justice, freedom, and security

Table 27 Graph 76 24.1 Development of the fight against organized crime Working Group in the Municipality to Local Public Establishment implement the Action Plan for the Fight Security Strat- of Community against Organized Crime set up egies at Local Councils Level adopted Belsh No Yes Yes Berat No Yes Yes Bulqize No No Yes Cerrik Yes Yes Yes Delvine Yes

Devoll No Ne process Yes Diber Yes Yes Yes Divjake Yes

Dropull No No No Durres Yes No No Elbasan No data Yes Yes Fier Yes NoNo data about 43% of the municipalities have set up Finiq No No No Fushe Arrez No No No the working group; 54% of the municipalities Gjirokaster No Yes No Gramsh Yes Yes Yes hadn’t set up the WG by the end of 2018; Has Yes No No about 8% of the municipalities didn’t provide Himare No No Yes Kamez No No No data. Kavaje Yes Yes Yes Kelcyre Yes No No . About 26% of the municipalities have draft - Klos No No No Kolonje Yes No No ed a strategic document about public safety Konispol No

at local level, while 6% of the municipali - Korce No No No ties had it under drafting process at the end Kruje Yes No No Kucove No No No of 2018; 51% of the municipalities hadn’t Kukes Yes Yes Yes drafted such policy document of public secu- Kurbin No No No Lezhe No data No dataNo data rity in 2018; about 18% of the municipalities Libohove Yes No No have either provided no data at all/or they Librazhd Yes Yes Yes have failed to provide correct data. Lushnje No Malesi e Madhe Yes No No Maliq No No No Mallakaster No Yes Yes Mat Yes

Memaliaj No data Ne procesNe proces Mirdite No No No Patos Yes Yes No Peqin Yes

Permet Yes No No Pogradec Yes Yes No Polican No No No Prrenjas No Yes Yes Puke No No No Pustec No data No dataNo data Roskovec No Ne procesNo Rrogozhine No No No Sarande No No No Selenice No No No Shijak No Yes Yes Shkoder Yes No No Skrapar Yes No No Tepelene No No No Tirane No data No dataNo data Tropoje Yes Yes Yes Ura Vajgurore No No No Vau i Dejes Yes

Vlore Yes No Yes Vore No

114 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Table 27 About 28% of the municipalities (N=61) (N=56) in view of aligning the municipalities have reported that they have established the actions with central governance institutions in Community Councils (CC); 51% of the munic- the fight against organized crime; 49% of ipalities hadn’t set up the CC bat the end of the municipalities haven’t set up the WG; 2018. around 8% of the municipalities didn’t provide data about this indicator. Graph 77 Around 51% of the municipalities had failed to draft the strategic public security policy paper at the end of 2018. There is a need to put more efforts to institutional coordination among the relevant Line Ministries, ASSG and the municipalities. Around 51% of the municipalities had failed to set up the Com- munity Council at the end of 2018

4.10. Chapter 26: Education and Culture

Graph 78 Specific objective: Increase participation in preparatory classes for pre-school education Participation of children in kindergarten and preparatory classes for pre-school education is an important precondition for better results in education. Kindergarten and pre-school education institutions management is the local government responsibility, which is defined in Law 139/2015 “On Local Self-Government”. Upon the decentralization reforms, the management of pre-university and pre-school education system was transferred in 2016to Problems and challenges the municipalities including the management . High-level commitment at the local level of education infrastructure, staff salaries for setting up Working Groups in the fight payment, management of dormitories of the against organized crime, pre-university institutions with the exclusion of . Professional support by the central institu- the vocational schools dormitories. tions and coordination for developing the According to the study ”On the Performance of strategy for public safety at the local level New Local Government Functions63 ” (2018), which is aligned with the central governance the municipalities have improved the quality policy. of their services. This progress was evaluated . Capacity building programs for members of through the sector performance indicators as the Working Groups at the local level in the follows: (i) number of children per teacher; (ii) fight against organized crime. number of children within the group of pre- school education system and; (iii) number of CONCLUSIONS ON JUSTICE, FREEDOM, pupils per class for the pre-university educa- AND SECURITY tion system. Additionally, the central government (MoFE) has transferred the respective Around 46%62 of the municipalities have set funds to the municipalities; MoFE’s data show up the working group to implement the Action an increase of the financial resources for this Plan about the fight against organized crime function in 2016-2018. 62 The indicator is 43% if N=61 63 Author: O. Shapo (2018)

2018 Assessment Report 115 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

. There are about 28 kindergartens, on tional level was 1,193 children, on average average, in the municipalities (N=61). (N=60). The indicator ranges between 128 . The ratio of registration children belonging (maximum number) in Tirana Municipal- to the age-group of 3-5 years old in the pre- ity and only 1 kindergarten in Has and school education is about 70% at the nation- Memaliaj municipalities. There is a total al level (N=53/or 87% of the municipali- number of 1,693 kindergartens at na- ties); about 13% of the municipalities haven’t tional level. provided any data. . The capacity of kindergartens at the na-

116 2018 Assessment Report 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Table 28 26.1. Increase participation in preparatory classes for pre-school education: the possibility of participation and mass inclusion of children in the pre-school education system Number of The total capacity of Children’s enrollment rate ( 3-6 years Awareness-raising campaign Investment budget approved in kindergartens kindergartens in the mu- old) versus the number of children on parents for the inclusion the budget for construction of in the munici- nicipality enrolled in kindergartens to the total of children in the pre-school new kindergartens and recon- pality number of children in the municipality education system undertak- struction of existing one versus of the respective age group en by the municipality the local budget Belsh 20 500 98.00% Jo 3.90% Berat 43 1366 65.00% Po 1.00% Bulqize 34 929 90.00% Po 4.00% Cerrik 4 799 86.70% Jo 0.00% Delvine 13 275 30.00% Po 0.00% Devoll 31 1575 823 Po 0.00% Diber 81 2513 95.00% Po 0.00% Divjake 16 939 62.00% Po 61.00% Dropull 4 60 20.00% Jo 0.00% Durres 55 3600 23.00% Jo 32.60% Elbasan 109 4451 26.00% Po 0.10% Fier 65 3473 95.00% Po 2714000 Finiq 9 400 25.00% Po 0.20% Fushe Arrez 6 74 75.00% Jo 0.00% Gjirokaster 6 780 Jo Po 2.00% Gramsh 43 1550 94.00% Po 3.00% Has 1 16 80.00% Po 0.00% Himare 13 195 529/301 Jo 0.00% Kamez 18 2655 70.00% Po No data Kavaje 8 566 100.00% Po 0.00% Kelcyre 6 120 96.00% Po 0.00% Klos 22 408 85.00% Po 9.00% Kolonje 15 256 98.00% Jo 0.00% Konispol 8 250 30.00% Po 0.00% Korce 42 2414 1 ne 5 femije Po 0.00% Kruje 35 700 61.00% Po Kucove 24 833 73.00% Jo 1.17% Kukes 54 1659 70.00% Po 0.70% Kurbin 18 870 70.00% Jo 0.00% Lezhe 54 2652 88.00% Jo No data Libohove 4 180 98 Jo 0.00% Librazhd 26 1123 85 Jo 10.40% Lushnje 75 2300 97.00% Jo 1.00% Malesi e Madhe 18 500 80.00% Jo 10.00% Maliq 45 1292 0.00% Po 0.00% Mallakaster 32 775 2.53% Jo 0.00% Mat 32 20% 75.00% Po 0.00% Memaliaj 1 20 No data No data No data Mirdite 21 500 95.00% Po 11.00% Patos 17 800 81.50% Jo 0.00% Peqin 26 490 99.00% Po 0.00% Permet 9 325 96.00% Po 0.00% Pogradec 40 2550 70.00% Jo 0.00% Polican 10 320 95.00% Po 0.00% Prrenjas 20 650 80.00% Jo 0.00% Puke 15 550 95.00% Po 0.00% Pustec 7 60 No data Po 0.00% Roskovec 16 575 38.90% Jo 0.00% Rrogozhine 20 1300 15.00% Po 0.03% Sarande 13 1073 95.00% Po 4.30% Selenice 22 40 445 Po 3000000 Shijak 17 605 87.00% Jo 0.00% Shkoder 58 2525 63.00% Po 2.82% Skrapar 20 272 100.00% Po 0.00% Tepelene 16 500 80.00% Po 0.00% Tirane 118 12530 3756 No data No data Tropoje 23 550 50.65% Po 3.20% Ura Vajgurore 36 751 8.94% Po No data Vau i Dejes 18 669 95.00% Po 1.40% Vlore 49 14 No data Po 20,000,000 Vore 12 884 100.00% Po 4.50%

2018 Assessment Report 117 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Municipal services organize in coordination Municipalities have made efforts over the with the Regional/Local Education Institutions recent years to draft local plans in line with awareness-raising campaigns with parents in strategic policy objectives, such as Social Pro- order to enroll children in the pre-school ed- tection Plan at the local level and Local Plan ucation system. About 64% of the municipal- for Integration of Roma and Egyptian minori- ities have organized in 2018awareness-rais- ties. In order to ensure a quantitative and ing campaigns with parents about children qualitative inclusion of marginalized groups enrollment in coordination with the Regional in the pre-university education system, joint Education Office/Local Education Office. responsibilities and measures are laid down to be carried out by municipal social services . 232 children, on average, belonging to and the education offices (REO). There are no Roma and Egyptian minorities were enrolled segregation cases in schools, and Roma and in the pre-school education in 2018 (N=43); Egyptian children are attending the same around 30% of the municipalities didn’t pro- education program as the majority of the pu- vide data about this indicator. pils, but there is no qualitative data about the . 9,984 children of the marginalized groups education level (i.e., average grade for R/E reported that they have attended the com- children). pulsory education over the school year . The average local fund for the enrollment of 64 2018 (N=43). Roma and Egyptian children in the compulso- Graph 79 ry education was 0.42% (N=50) of the municipal budget for 2018. About 18% of the municipalities haven’t provided any data. . The average number of dropout from compulsory education of children belonging to marginalized groups is about 7.

Specific objective: Improvement of the school infrastructure of the pre-university education The school infrastructure standards including heating system, proper infrastructure that en- The fund of the municipalities concerning lo- ables accessibility of PwDs, and compliance cal investments to construct new kindergar- of new buildings with energy efficiency stan- tens and to reconstruct the existing ones was, dards have been some of the measures out- on average, 2.9% of the municipal budget lined in the Sector Strategy for Pre-university (N=52). About 49% of the municipalities Education. The construction and reconstruc- (N=61) reported that they had not allocat- tion of schools and their maintenance is also ed any local budget was for the construction stipulated in the local legal framework. The and reconstruction of kindergartens in 2018; local administration draft projects, which are around 14% of the municipalities have either expected to be funded either by the budget failed to report any data or they have re- of the municipality or through applications to ported no data at all. the Regional Development Fund (RDF).

Specific objective: Quantitative and qualitative inclusion of marginalized groups in the pre-university education system

64 Elbasan Municipality reported 5021 children within the compulsory education system

118 2018 Assessment Report 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Table 29 26.3. Improving the school infrastructure of pre-university education Inclusion of PWD infrastructure in municipal Local investment fund for the construction of new schools reconstruction / construction projects / and the reconstruction of existing schools versus the municipal budget approved in 2018 (%). Belsh No 0% Berat Yes 0.70% Bulqize No 1.00% Cerrik Yes 5.1 Delvine No No data Devoll 85000000 0 Diber Yes No data Divjake No 20%-40% Dropull No 0 Durres Yes 9.60% Elbasan Yes 1.70% Fier No data No data Finiq No 0.60% Fushe Arrez 3 0% Gjirokaster Yes 2% Gramsh 3 3.7% Has Yes 0 Himare No 12% Kamez Yes 2.00% Kavaje No 4.40% Kelcyre Yes 0.00% Klos No 0.00% Kolonje Yes 2 Konispol No 0.06% Korce 0 15 000 000 Kruje 0% 49,965,265 Kucove Yes 2.14% Kukes Yes 25% Kurbin Yes 8.50% Lezhe Yes 3.80% Libohove Yes 0 Librazhd Yes 3 Lushnje Yes 2.90% Malesi e Madhe No 7.20% Maliq Yes 2.40% Mallakaster Yes 3.40% Mat Limited 0 Memaliaj No data No data Mirdite Yes 5% Patos Yes 1% Peqin 0,7% 0,7% Permet Yes 0 Pogradec Yes 4,6% Polican Yes 3% Prrenjas Yes 0 Puke No 1.3% Pustec No No data Roskovec Yes 1.14% Rrogozhine No 0.08% Sarande 2 12% Selenice 0 60000000 Shijak Yes 1.35% Shkoder 100% 2,82% Skrapar Yes 2.40% Tepelene No 0 Tirane No data 5.00% Tropoje 3% 0.05% Ura Vajgurore No data No data Vau I Dejes Yes 18.4 % Vlore Yes 11% Vore Yes 4.5%

2018 Assessment Report 119 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

. 3.48% of the municipality budget (N=51), Graph 81 on average, was allocated in 2018 concerning planning of the local investments for construction and reconstruction of the municipality schools belonging to the pre-university education system; about 20% of the municipalities (N=61) reported that they hadn’t allocated any local budget for this purpose, while 14% of the municipalities haven’t reported any data at all. . About 89% of the municipalities (N=61) accomplished the planning of PwDs infrastruc- Problems and challenges ture in schools reconstruction and in the new buildings; about 11% of the municipalities . Limited financial capacities for reconstruction haven’t provided any data. and construction of new buildings for kindergartens and schools of the pre-university education in the urban and rural area against Specific objective: Improvement of deci- all standards to make it possible to reduce sion-making process in the pre-university edu- the number of children per classroom. cation schools . Limited local capacities for setting up a da- The representative of the municipality par- tabase to assess the local needs for children ticipates in the schools boards and in the enrollment in kindergartens. meetings with the parents in the frame of the . Limited financial capacities to create condi- initiative “We do the school-work at school”. tions (infrastructure), which allow children to have a meal. . The representative of the municipality in the . Better institutional coordination at the local school board has been present in about 87% level for more support to make sure that all of the municipalities (N=61); about 3% of Roma and Egyptian children complete the the municipalities haven’t provided any data. compulsory education; improvement of re- Graph 80 porting concerning education results of children from ethnic minorities. Specific objective: Conservation and protection of material and not-material cultural heritage, the national treasure of Albanian people generations Protection and promotion of cultural values and cultural heritage, proper management and administration of cultural assets is a decentralized function, which is defined in the Law65 on Local Self-Government. This objective is also a priority of the NPEI 2017-2020 . About 56% of the Municipalities (N=61) in the field of education and culture. have undertaken and implemented the initiative to support the establishment of . About 74% of the municipalities have report- school-parent-government communication, ed that they had no cases of violation and whereas about 36% of the municipalities ha- illegal construction in the municipality’s areas ven’t implemented such initiative, and 8% of of cultural heritage (N=51); 6 municipalities the municipalities haven’t provided any data. (or 10%) have reported 1 up to 5 cases of 65 Law no.139/2015

120 2018 Assessment Report 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Table 30 violations. Municipalities have taken mea- 26.6. Supporting creativity and creative activity of Albanian artists through sures against the cases of violations. the enhancement of cultural activities and the artists’involvement No. of cultural No. of cultural The local fund approved activities planned activities organized for cultural activities of the . The average percentage of the local fund by the municipality by the municipality municipality versus munici- to promote national to promote national pality’s budget for cultural invested for the protection of cultural assets and local culture and local culture heritage in 2018 (in%). was 1.99% of the municipal budget in 2018 Belsh 6 6 0.20% Berat 42 20 9% (N=51); 36% of the municipalities haven’t Bulqize 5 5 0.30% allocated any specific budget for this func- Cerrik 4 8 0.6 Delvine 1 1 0 tion; about 18% of the municipalities have Devoll 12 14 0.01% reported either incorrect data / or no data Diber 14 14 0.04% at all. Divjake No data No data 0 Dropull 9 6 100.00% Durres 16 16 4.00% Elbasan 21 18 0.49% Specific objective: support creativity and cre- Fier 6 10 30650000 ative activity of Albanian artists through the Finiq 4 4 0.01% enhancement of cultural activity and the in- Fushe Arrez 1 5000000 volvement of artists Gjirokaster 22 20 1% Gramsh 12 8 0.7% . About 11cultural activities (N=59), on av- Has 4 4 100% Himare 15 15 0% erage, were planned and organized by the Kamez 36 36 0.50% municipalities in 2018 to promote local cul- Kavaje 15 15 0.30% Kelcyre 0 0 100.00% ture and traditions; about 3% of the munici- Klos 10 10 7.00% palities haven’t provided any data. Kolonje 3 3 100.00% Konispol 12 8 0.08% . The data provided on the percentage of the Korce 15 15 20% Kruje 17 25 0 municipality’s budget in support of cultural Kucove 7 9 6.60% activities haven’t been correct and credible Kukes 6 6 4,9% to generalize the findings. Kurbin 5 4 800.000 lek Lezhe 5 6 No data Libohove 3 3 2% Librazhd 8 8 6.20% Lushnje 1 1 3% Malesi e 6 6 7% Madhe Maliq 3 19 0.70% Mallakaster 2 2 2.84% Mat 13 9 5% Memaliaj 9 9 No data Mirdite 15 25 No data Patos 3 3 8.50% Peqin 19/19 19 0.30% Permet 6 6 100% Pogradec 33 33 1% Polican 12 8 2% Prrenjas 1 2 0.33% Puke 27 27 1.7% Pustec No data No data 350 Roskovec 3 3 1.07% Rrogozhine 20 12 0.01% Sarande 7 5 15% Selenice 3 2 0 Shijak 2 2 0.54% Shkoder 25 10 2.5% Skrapar 26 26 7.4% Tepelene 12 12 0,8% Tirane 13 15 1 Tropoje 8 4 0.01% Ura Vajgurore 15 15 No data Vau I Dejes 9 9 0.90% Vlore 15 20 25,000,000 Vore 4 4 0.40%

2018 Assessment Report 121 4.10. Chapter 23: Justice, freedom, and security

Problems and challenges that they hadn’t allocated any local budget for investment in schools. About 89% of . Promotion of local cultural heritage for the the municipalities accomplished planning of new generation and development of cultural schools infrastructure allowing accessibility of tourism. PwDs. . Limited financial resources and local budget for the protection and restoration of cultural The representative of the municipality in heritage objects. school boards has been present in about 87% . Local residents who live in the protected of the municipalities (N=61); about 56% of area face with the high cost of restoration the municipalities have supported initiatives according to national rules and standards. to set up school-parent-government communication; 36% of the municipalities haven’t CONCLUSIONS ON EDUCATION implemented such initiative. AND CULTURE With regards to conservation and protection Specific objective: Increase participation in of material and not-material cultural heritage, preparatory classes for pre-school education about 74% of the municipalities have reported that they haven’t had any cases of viola- Regarding the increased participation in pre- tion and illegal construction in the areas of paratory classes for pre-school education, cultural heritage; 6 municipalities (or 10%) the average number of the kindergartens at have reported 1 up to 5 cases of violations. national level) is 28 (N=61), and the registra- Municipal services took measures about this tion of children of the age group 3-5 years – 1.99% of the 2018 municipal budget was old in this education system was about 70% allocated, on average, for the protection of (N=53), which was less than 79% in 2017. cultural assets. Around 36% of the munic- About 13% of the municipalities haven’t pro- ipalities didn’t allocate any specific budget vided any data. 232 children, on average, for this function. Municipalities n planned and from the marginalized group including Roma organized 11cultural activities, on average, and Egyptian minorities had attended the in 2018 (N=59). pre-school education in 2018 (N=43). The municipalities have allocated about 2.9%, on average, of the municipal budget (N=52) for 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and reconstruction and construction of new kin- climate change dergartens. Specific objective: Awareness-raising and ca- Specific objective: Quantitative and qualita- pacity building of Local Government Units tive inclusion of marginalized groups in the about their role in protecting the environment, pre-university education system nature and forest management 0, 42% of 2018 municipal budget, on aver- Local government capacity building and age, was used for enrollment in the compulso- awareness-raising for the protection of envi- ry education of Roma and Egyptian children ronment, nature, and forest management and and other marginalized groups; the average administration is a development objective of number of dropout by children belonging to the National Strategy for Environment Strat- these groups was about 7. egy 2018-2030 and a priority of the Euro- pean Integration agenda of the country. The Concerning the improvement of school infra- municipalities have an important role to play structure of the pre-university education sys- concerning awareness-raising of local citi- tem, 3.48% of the municipal budget, on av- zens in terms of protecting the environment, erage, was allocated in 2018 (N=51); about nature and forests and minimizing organic 20% of the municipalities (N=61) reported contamination.

122 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

. About 107 local public officials were trained Specific objective: Education of Young Gener- on environmental legislation and environmen- ations for Environmental Conservation and Pol- tal protection and standards/benchmarks. lution Minimization About 2 trainings, on average, were orga- There is a lack of culture and behavior among nized (the same number as in 2017). The in- Albanian citizens and young people towards dicator ranges from 1 to 6, which means that environment protection, nature, forest, and all municipalities (N=46) have participated environmental pollution. Education of young with, at least 1 public official, who has been people is important and the municipalities trained. need to do more in this regard. The theme . About 20% of the municipalities haven’t par- of2018World Environment Day of the was ticipated in the capacity building program on “Beat Plastic Pollution” - a call for action for environment issues; about 5% (or 3 munici- each citizen to fight one of the greatest en- palities) haven’t provided available data. vironmental challenges, activities during the Earth Day, promotion activity to plant trees, . 75% of the municipalities have organized a and other themes related to the environment. total of 241 awareness-raising activities with regard to the supporting role of the munic- . About 75% of the municipalities (N=61) have ipalities in terms of the awareness-raising organized educational and awareness-rais- campaigns with local citizens and business ing meetings at schools and campaigns for entities to protect the environment, nature, environmental protection and against the and forests and to minimize organic contam- pollution. ination,; 5 awareness-raising activities were . A total of188 awareness-raising activities or organized, on average, in 2018. 4 activities, on average, were carried out in . About 25% of the municipalities have either 2018; (N=46), which is higher compared to provided incorrect data or no data at all for 2017 (3 activities on average). About 25% awareness-raising activity in regard to the of the municipalities have either provided in- protection of the environment, nature, and correct data or no data at all related to this forest. indicator.

2018 Assessment Report 123 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Table 31

27.1. Awareness-raising and capacity building of local governments Specific objective: Drafting the action plan to on protecting the environment, nature and forest management improve the quality of environmental air at the No. of staff trained Public awareness Education of new on environmental campaign for generations for envi- local level. legislation and its environmental ronmental conserva- implementation, protection and pol- tion and minimization . With regard to LAP about the improvement environmental lution minimization of pollution priorities in terms organized by the of the air quality, 25% of the municipalities of EU integration Municipality, central have developed and adopted the Local Ac- institutions and other actors (CSOs tion Plan (the indicator percentage is higher / projects) compared to2017 when it was 18%). Belsh 4 3 3 Berat 1 3 5 . 3% of the municipalities had the Local Ac- Bulqize 6 Yes Yes tion Plan under drafting process at the end Cerrik 1 16 2 Delvine 1 1 2 of 2018; 67% of the municipalities haven’t Devoll 3 2 1 drafted the LAP about the improvement of Diber 0 12 12 the air quality in the territory of the munic- Divjake 2 Yes Yes Dropull 2 0 0 ipality. Durres 2 0 0 Elbasan No data 7 Yes Graph 82 Fier 1 2 3 Finiq 0 0 8 Fushe Arrez 4 10 5 Gjirokaster 1 1 0 Gramsh 3 3 3 Has 3 11 3 Himare 4 Yes 2 Kamez 1 0 0 Kavaje 1 3 2 Kelcyre 2 0 6 Klos 2 4 0 Kolonje 2 4 4 Konispol 0 0 6 Korce 2 10 10 Kruje 2 10 Yes Kucove 2 2 2 . About 28% of the municipalities have in- Kukes 0 2 2 tegrated the local measures about the im- Kurbin 2 Yes 7 Lezhe No data No data No data provement of the air quality in their strategic Libohove 1 5 2 document including MTBP – which shows im- Librazhd 0 2 14 Lushnje 3 Yes Yes provement if compared 2017 (20%), while Malesi e Madhe 1 No No 61% of the municipalities don’t have an inte- Maliq 0 0 0 grated strategic document yet. Mallakaster 0 7 Yes Mat 1 3 3 Memaliaj 1 No data No data Mirdite 2 14 Yes Patos 1 9 6 Peqin 5 9 10 Permet 2 11 6 Pogradec 1 7 4 Polican 0 Yes Yes Prrenjas 0 4 2 Puke 3 14 8 Pustec No data No data No data Roskovec 1 25 10 Rrogozhine 3 Yes Yes Sarande 1 Yes 6 Selenice 2 3 Yes Shijak 3 3 3 Shkoder 5 3 5 Skrapar 0 No data No data Tepelene 2 6 3 Tirane 6 1 1 Tropoje 0 2 3 Ura Vajgurore 1 Yes 3 Vau I Dejes 0 No 7 Vlore 2 6 4 Vore 6 1 0

124 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Table 32 27.3. Development of action plans to improve air quality at the local Graph 83 level Local Action Plan to improve air Integrate actions, to quality in compliance with the National improve air quality, in the Quality Improvement Plan strategic document of the municipality / MTBP Belsh No No Berat No Yes Bulqize No No Cerrik No No Delvine No No Devoll No No Diber Yes Yes Divjake Yes Yes Dropull No No Durres No No Elbasan Yes Yes Fier No No . 2% of the municipalities were in process Finiq No No of integrating the local measures into the Fushe Arrez Ne process Ne process Gjirokaster No No strategic document at the local level. Around Gramsh Yes No 10% of the municipalities haven’t provided Has No No Himare No No any data. Kamez Yes Yes Kavaje Yes No Problems and challenges Kelcyre No No Klos Yes Yes . Limited planning capacities and commitment Kolonje No No Konispol No No of the decision-making bodies at the local Korce No Yes level to draft the action plan to improve the Kruje No No Kucove No Yes air quality and to integrate the local mea- Kukes No No sures into the strategic document and MTBP Kurbin No No data of the municipality. Lezhe No data No data Libohove Yes No . Limited capacity in order to provide contin- Librazhd No No Lushnje No No uous training about the environment protec- Malesi e Madhe No No tion, knowledge of the legislation and best Maliq Ne process No Mallakaster No No practices against benchmarks. Mat No No Memaliaj No data No data . Limited financial resources to organize ed- Mirdite No No ucation and awareness-raising activities for Patos Yes No Peqin Yes Yes the local citizens, business entities and the Permet No No new generation. Pogradec Yes Yes Polican No No . Limited involvement of civil society stakehold- Prrenjas No No ers, schools and students to protect the envi- Puke No No Pustec No Yes ronment and nature, to reduce air pollution Roskovec No No and to improve air quality. Rrogozhine Yes Yes Sarande No No . Regular trainings on environment issues and Selenice No data No data Shijak Yes Yes air quality. Shkoder No Yes Skrapar No Yes Specific objective: Improvement of Integrated Tepelene No No Tirane No Yes Waste Management Tropoje No No data Ura Vajgurore Yes No A new strategic document for the Environment Vau I Dejes No No data Protection 2018 – 2030 was drafted and Vlore No No adopted by the Ministry of Tourism and En- Vore Yes Yes vironment (MTE) with donor and experts support based on the approach of the minimum

2018 Assessment Report 125 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

affordable standards. The improvement of . Around 64% of the municipalities have man- integrated waste management in the coun- aged solid waste collection and waste dis- try, meeting of international and national posal in 2018 in dumpsites according to their standards, improvement of the sector perfor- local management plan (this shows improve- mance against benchmarks, expanding the ment compared to 2017 – when it was 43%; waste services coverage and quality including the remote areas are some of main ob- Graph 85 jectives of this new strategic document. Two new Decisions of the Council of Ministers66 on the cost and fee calculation model, as well as on the methodology on dumpsite closure and rehabilitation standards, have been the base of countrywide municipal interventions to cope with emergency situation of the waste management sector; The MTE has drafted the Map of 199 waste disposal sites and an action plan to reduce the dumpsites hazards in 2018. Several municipalities have been supported by donor-funded projects to draft and implement the waste management plan 31% of the municipalities managed them at the local level. without having an integrated WMP. . 49% of the municipalities had drafted and . Around 8% of the municipalities collect ur- adopted by the end of 2018 the Waste ban waste through separated dumpsters, and Management Plan, which is part of MTBP (the this is carried out by a small number of per- percentage of this indicator is higher com- sons who collect separated waste; 85% of pared to2017 – which was 11%); 3% of the the municipalities don’t recycle the municipal municipalities were in the process of drafting waste. The MTE has made a decision that the the local waste management plan; collection of the municipality waste should be done based on two waste’s streams. Graph 84 Graph 86

. About 46% of the municipalities didn’t have such WMP, and, consequently, they hadn’t in- . Around 95% of the municipalities weren’t cluded in the MTBP, while 2% of the munici- able to manage the municipality waste in two palities didn’t provide any data. separate streams, 3% of the municipalities have managed to accomplish it, while 2% of the municipalities didn’t provide any data.

66 2018

126 2018 Assessment Report . A total of 71 authorized disposal sites or 1, on average, (N=50) were reported by the municipalities for 2018. 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

. About 33% of the municipalities report to have, at least, 1 waste unauthorized disposal site in their territory; 64% of the municipalities reported that they didn‟t have any unauthorized waste disposal sites; 3% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any data.

Graph 87

Authorized vs Unauthorized waste disposal sites in the municipality

No. of unauthorized waste disposal sites No. of authorized waste disposal sites

. Based on the reported data, the average distance of the municipality centre to the nearest landfill is 18 km. Fushë Arrëz (80 km), Himarë (75 km) and Tepelenë (70 km)Graph are 88the municipalities, whichDistance have inlandfill km of the locations Municipality far center away from from the the nearest center landfill of the municipality .

Vore Vlore Vau I Dejes Ura Vajgurore Tropoje Tirane Tepelene Skrapar Shkoder Shijak Selenice Sarande Rrogozhine Roskovec Pustec Puke Prrenjas Polican Pogradec Permet Peqin Patos Mirdite Memaliaj Mat Mallakaster Maliq Malesi e Madhe Lushnje Librazhd Libohove Lezhe Kurbin Kukes Kucove Kruje Korce Konispol 106 Kolonje Klos Kelcyre Kavaje Kamez Himare Has Gramsh Gjirokaster Fushe Arrez Finiq Fier Elbasan Durres Dropull Divjake Diber Devoll Delvine Cerrik Bulqize Berat Belsh

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Problems and challenges . 2018 Assessment Limited planning Report capacity to develop and adopt Integrated Waste Management Service (iWMS) and to ensure its implementation according to standards and performance benchmarks.127 . Limited administrative and financial capacities to extend the Integrated Waste Management Service across the territory of the municipality. . The waste service fee doesn‟t cover the full cost; this is coupled also with the fee collection that is less than 100%. . Municipal administration capacity building and monitoring of waste collection and disposal according to the minimum affordable standards and local fees of the service. . Increasing awareness of the local citizens to dump household waste in two separate bins. . Continuation of investment in Bushat landfill, because all stages of the project haven‟t been completed. Bushat landfill management remains a challenge after it will be fully built. . Separation of waste at the source in accordance with the MTE decision (legal requirements). . Construction of new landfill in some municipalities.

107 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

. A total of 71 authorized disposal sites or 1, according to standards and performance on average, (N=50) were reported by the benchmarks. municipalities for 2018. . Limited administrative and financial capacities to extend the Integrated Waste Man- . About 33% of the municipalities report to agement Service across the territory of the have, at least, 1 waste unauthorized dispos- municipality. al site in their territory; 64% of the munici- . The waste service fee doesn’t cover the full palities reported that they didn’t have any cost; this is coupled also with the fee collec- unauthorized waste disposal sites; 3% of the tion that is less than 100%. municipalities didn’t provide any data. . Municipal administration capacity building . Based on the reported data, the average and monitoring of waste collection and dis- distance of the municipality centre to the posal according to the minimum affordable nearest landfill is 18 km. Fushë Arrëz (80 standards and local fees of the service. . km), Himarë (75 km) and Tepelenë (70 km) Increasing awareness of the local citizens to are the municipalities, which have landfill lo- dump household waste in two separate bins. . cations far away from the center of the mu- Continuation of investment in Bushat land- nicipality . fill, because all stages of the project haven’t been completed. Bushat landfill management remains a challenge after it will be fully built. Problems and challenges . Separation of waste at the source in accordance . Limited planning capacity to develop and with the MTE decision (legal requirements). adopt Integrated Waste Management Ser- . Construction of new landfill in some munici- vice (iWMS) and to ensure its implementation palities.

128 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Table 33

27.4. Improve integrated waste management Local IWM Collection and deposi- The recyclable waste of the Number of Number of Waste is separated Distance to the plan designed, tion of urban waste of municipal territory is recycled unauthorized authorized landfill at the source center of the planned in MTBP the municipality is done according to the objectives of the landfills in the sites/incinerators according to leg- municipality according to the local local MIM Plan (from recycling municipality in the territory of islation from the nearest IWM Plan companies / or public enterprises) territory the municipality landfill Belsh Yes Yes No 0 1 No 30 Berat No Yes No 3 2 No 5 Bulqize No Yes No 3 0 No 1.5 Cerrik No No No 0 0 No 18 Delvine Ne Proces Yes No 0 1 No 11 Devoll No No Yes 42 1 No 32 Diber Yes Yes No 3 1 No 2 Divjake No Yes No 0 4 No 7.2 Dropull Yes No No 0 1 No 4 Durres No Yes No 0 4 No 7 Elbasan Yes Yes No data 0 2 No 22 Fier No No No 0 1 No 12 Finiq Yes Yes No 3 1 No 9 Fushe Arrez No No No 0 1 No 80 Gjirokaster No Yes No 5 0 No 43 Gramsh Yes Yes No 0 1 No 50 Has Yes No No 0 1 No 3 Himare Yes Yes No 0 1 Yes 75 Kamez No No No 1 0 No 20 Kavaje Yes Yes No 4 0 No 60 Kelcyre No No No 0 0 No No data Klos Yes Yes No 0 1 No 20 Kolonje No No No 0 1 No 12 Konispol Yes Yes No 0 0 No 60 Korce Yes Yes Yes 0 1 Yes 14 Kruje No No No 2 2 No 6 Kucove No Yes No 0 2 No 3.5 Kukes Yes Yes No 0 2 No 6 Kurbin Yes Yes No 4 0 No 44.7 Lezhe Yes Yes No 0 1 No 25% Libohove Yes Partially No 4 1 No 50 Librazhd No No No 1 0 No 24 Lushnje No No No 0 4 No 55 Malesi e Madhe Yes Partially No 4 1 No 45 Maliq No Yes No 0 1 No 2 Mallakaster No No No 0 1 No 5 Mat Yes Yes No 0 1 No 3 Memaliaj In process Yes Partially 1 0 No data No data Mirdite No No No 0 2 No 6 Patos No No No 2 1 No 5 Peqin Yes No No 6 1 No 3 Permet Yes No No 0 1 No 3 Pogradec Yes Yes No data 0 1 No 15 Polican No Yes No 0 1 No 3 Prrenjas No No No 0 1 No 5 Puke Yes Yes No 0 2 No 4 Pustec No No data No 2 2 No 2 Roskovec No No No 0 1 No 4.5 Rrogozhine Yes Yes Yes 0 0 No 3 Sarande No Yes No 0 2 No 17 Selenice No data Yes No 3 1 No 3 Shijak Yes Yes No 0 1 No 16 Shkoder Yes Yes No 0 1 No 16 Skrapar Yes Yes No 3 2 No 2 Tepelene No Yes No 0 1 No 70 Tirane Yes Yes Yes No data 1 No 7 Tropoje No Yes No 5 2 No 2.6 Ura Vajgurore Yes Yes No 0 1 No 3 Vau I Dejes Yes Yes Yes No data 1 No 10 Vlore Yes Yes Partially 0 2 No 2 Vore No Yes No 0 1 No 8

2018 Assessment Report 129 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Table 34 Specific objective: Enforcement of task force 27.5. Strengthen implementation of task force decisions on acoustic decision on acoustic pollution in urban centers pollution in urban centers and coastal tourist areas No. of municipal police No. of trainings in which the munic- and coastal tourist areas inspectors in the task ipal police inspector participated force raised for acoustic in acoustic pollutionNumber of Enforcement of task force decision on acoustic pollution in urban centers trainings in which the municipal and tourist areas in the police inspector participated in pollution in urban centers and coastal tourist municipality territory acoustic pollution areas is one of the objectives of the Nation- Belsh 0 0 Berat 3 0 al Strategy for Environment 2018-2030 and Bulqize No data 0 a priority of the National Plan for European Cerrik 0 0 Integration. Following the legal obligations Delvine 0 0 Devoll 0 0 provided for by Law no. 9774/2007 “On Diber 5 0 the Evaluation and Management of Noise Divjake 2 0 Dropull 1 0 in the Environment”, the municipalities have Durres 2 0 to draft and adopt local action plans about Elbasan No data 0 noise in residential areas, noise evaluation Fier 0 0 Finiq 0 0 process, defining of quiet areas in a residen- Fushe Arrez 2 2 tial or open environment, and about imposing Gjirokaster 0 0 Gramsh 0 0 sanctions against breaches of the law by dif- Has 1 0 ferent subjects. Himare 0 0 Kamez 0 0 . About 49% of the municipalities have estab- Kavaje 17 3 Kelcyre 2 0 lished the task force for acoustic pollution, Klos 5 0 while 44% of the municipalities hadn’t estab- Kolonje 11 0 lished it yet by the end of 2018; 7% of the Konispol 0 0 Korce 1 0 municipalities didn’t provide data. Kruje 0 0 . A total of 88 inspectors were employed in Kucove 0 0 Kukes 0 0 2018 with an average number of inspectors, Kurbin 2 0 (N=30). Lezhe No data No data Libohove 2 0 . 7 trainings were organized in 2018 for the Librazhd 1 0 municipality inspectors about acoustic pollu- Lushnje 1 0 Malesi e Madhe 0 0 tion, legal framework and measures at the Maliq 0 0 local level. Mallakaster 0 0 Mat 1 0 Graph 89 Memaliaj 4 No data Mirdite 2 0 Patos 0 0 Peqin 0 0 Permet 1 0 Pogradec 2 1 Polican 0 0 Prrenjas 0 0 Puke 3 0 Pustec 0 0 Roskovec 0 0 Rrogozhine 0 0 Sarande 1 0 Selenice 3 No data Shijak 8 0 Shkoder 0 0 Skrapar 1 1 Tepelene 0 0 Tirane No data No data Tropoje 1 0 Ura Vajgurore 1 0 Vau I Dejes 1 0 Vlore 1 0 Vore 0 0

130 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Table 34

Problems and challenges adapt to climate change and to reduce CO2 Problems and challenges emissions by achieving the above mentioned . The number of inspectors to check acous- . The number of inspectors to check acoustic problemsobjectives is small in in the big framework municipalities of the, in implewhich- the tic problems is small in big municipalities, in problems are more evident. This is combined withmentation lack of of knowlthe Nationaledge Actionand training plan of theon the which the problems are more evident. This is requirements stipulated by Law no. 9774, datedstrategic 12.07.2007 document on“ Onthe Renewablethe Evaluation Energy and combined with lack of knowledge and train- Management of Noise in the Environment". and Energy Efficiency and objectives under ing on the requirements stipulated by Law no. . Tasks forces in charge of enforcing the decision theon Climateacoustic Change pollution Convention in urban67. centers and 9774,coastal dated tourist 12.07.2007 areas are “Onn‟t trainedthe Evaluation to carry out their functions properly. . Around 8% of the municipalities have col- . andLack Management of equipment of thatNoise enable in thes theEnviron inspectors- to measure the acoustic pollution in dB (decibel) lected and recorded climate data together, ment”.and impose fines on entities breaching the allowed level. while 75% of the municipalities haven’t col- . Tasks forces in charge of enforcing the deci- Specific objective: Integration of the climate change risks intolected local suchplans data; in harmony around 16%with nationalof the munici priorities- sion on acoustic pollution in urban centers and and objectives palities haven’t provided any data. coastal tourist areas aren’t trained to carry . out66% their of functions the municipalities properly. have drafted and. adoptedConcerning the capacity local action building plan of regardingexperts on the mitigation of climate change risks in line with national priorities and objectives, while 25% of . climate change at the local level, around Lackthe municipalities of equipment havethat enablesn‟t drafted the inspecthe local- plan. tors to measure the acoustic pollution in dB 31% of the municipalities reported that, at Specific (decibel)objective: and Increasing impose fines the capabilityon entities tobreach adapt- to the advertingleast, one effects local staff of climate member change was trained at the inlocal level ing the allowed level. 2018; 61% of the municipalities didn’t par- Municipalities should collect and record climate data togetherticipate, draft in any reports trainings; about 8% theof theactions, munici which- are plannedSpecific to objective:mitigate Integrationand adapt of to the climate climate change andpalities to reduce didn’t COprovide2 emissions any data by relatedachieving to the above mentionedchange risks objectives into local plansin the in framework harmony with of the implementationthis indicator. of the National Action plan of the strategicnational document priorities on the and Renewable objectives Energy and Energy. TheEfficiency data concerning and objectives the local under budget the andClimate Change Convention64,. other funds for environment friendly invest- . 66% of the municipalities have drafted and . Around 8% of the municipalities have collected andment recordedprojects addressing climate dataadaptation together, to cli while- adopted the local action plan regarding the 75% of the municipalities haven‟t collected such data;mate around change 16% and reducingof the municipalities CO emissions haven‟t in mitigationprovided ofany climate data. change risks in line with 2 line with local plans (i.e. coastal municipali- . nationalConcerning priorities capacity and objectives, building ofwhile expert 25%s on climate change at the local level, around 31% of ties) have been very limited to the extent that ofthe the municipalities municipalities reportedhaven’t drafted that, theat leastlocal , one local staff member was trained in 2018; 61% of it couldn’t be possible to generalize the find- plan.the municipalities didn‟t participate in any trainings; 8% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any data related to this indicator. ings; only 3 municipalities allocated budget with an average amount f around 5,000,000 . SpecificThe data objectiv concerninge: Increasing the thelocal capability budget and other funds for environment friendly investment Albanian Leks; 82% of the municipalities toprojects adapt toaddressing the adverting adap effectstation of climateto climate change and reducing CO2 emissions in line with local changeplans (i.e.at the coastal local level municipalities) have been verydidn’t limited allocate to theany localextent budget that init 2017couldn for‟t be possible to generalize the findings; only 3 municipalitiesprojects for allocate addressingd budget adaptation with toan climate average Municipalities should collect and record cli- amount f around 5,000,000 Albanian Leks; 82% ofchange the municipalities and reducing didn‟tCO2 emissions,allocate anywhile local matebudget data in together,2017 for draft projects reports for about addressing the adaptation13% of to the climate municipalities change provided and reducing either in -CO2 actions,emissions, which while are 13% planned of the to municipalitiesmitigate and providedcorrect either dataincorrect or no data data orat all.no data at all.

30 Graph 90 No of local staff trained on climate change, energy efficiency and renewable energy 25 24 20

67 United Nations Climate Change Conference

64United2018 Nations Assessment Climate Change Report Conference 131

110 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

The municipalities have highlighted that there is ties should start imposing severe fines onall pol- a need to provide more monitoring equipment luters (not just cars but also businesses, such as and parallel policies to remove old vehicles that restaurants or small production shops that cause pollute the environment. Air protection measures air pollution through the emission of the cooking need to be strongly enforced, and municipali- smoke into the air).

Table 35 27.6.1. Integrate the risks of climate change into local plans in harmony with national 27.6.2. Increasing the ability to adapt to the ad- priorities and objectives verse effects of climate change at the local level Local Plan drafted/updated by Budget spent on local investment Collecting and keeping climatic Number of trained spe- municipalities most vulnerable to projects (friendly) addressing ad- data together with reports on cialists on climate change, climate change that has integrat- aptation to climate change and re- measures taken or planned to energy efficiency, and ed the dangers of climate change, duction of CO2 emissions in line with mitigate and adapt to climate renewable energies mitigation and adaptation mea- local plans and priority areas for the change; sures to climate change. most vulnerable municipalities Belsh No 0% No 0 Berat Yes No No 1 Bulqize No 0 No data 0 Cerrik No 0 No 0 Delvine Yes 0 No data 0 Devoll Yes 3 Yes 0 Diber No 5,000.00 € No data 0 Divjake No 0 No 0 Dropull No 0 No 1 Durres No 0 No 0 Elbasan No data No data No data No data Fier No 0 No 0 Finiq No 0 No 0 Fushe Arrez Ne process 0 No 1 Gjirokaster No 0 No 0 Gramsh No 0 No 1 Has No 0 No 1 Himare Yes 0.20% No 0 Kamez No 0 No 0 Kavaje No 0.00% No 0 Kelcyre No 0 No 1 Klos No 547200 No 0 Kolonje No 0 No 0 Konispol No 0 No 0 Korce Yes 0 No 1 Kruje No No No 1 Kucove No No Yes 0 Kukes No 0 No 1 Kurbin No No No 0 Lezhe No data No data No data No data Libohove No 0 No 0 Librazhd No 0 No 0 Lushnje No 0 No 0 Malesi e Madhe No 0 No 0 Maliq No 0 Yes 24 Mallakaster No 0 No 0 Mat No 0 No 0 Memaliaj No data No data No data 1 Mirdite No 0% No 0 Patos No No No 1 Peqin No 0 No 0 Permet No 0 No 1 Pogradec No 0 No 0 Polican No No No 0 Prrenjas No No No 0 Puke No 0 No 0 Pustec No data No data No data No data Roskovec No 0 No 1 Rrogozhine No 0 No 0 Sarande No 0 No 0 Selenice No data No data No data No data Shijak No 0 No 0 Shkoder Yes 13815000 Yes 2 Skrapar No 0 No 1 Tepelene No 0 No 2 Tirane Yes No data Yes 6 Tropoje Yes 0 No 1 Ura Vajgurore No data No data No data No data Vau I Dejes No 0 No 0 Vlore No No No data 0 Vore No 0 No 0

132 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Specific objective: Afforestation of degrad- The results of a study in 2018 on the evaluation ed areas through recycling in the destination of the performance of the newly transferred of forest resources revenues and arrears of functions including forest and pastures manage- entities operating in the forestry fund ment69, revealed that the number of local employees dedicated to this function is lower than The national legal framework68 on the for- the number (standard) stipulated by the law. est and pastures management regulates the management of the national fund (protected The specific objective is assessed by means of areas), local government fund and private three indicators: entities fund in compliance with legal require- . The municipality capacity for drafting op- The nationalments and legal standards framework as stipulated65 on the by forest the leg and- pastures management regulates the management of erational local plan: about 59% of the mu- the nationalislation. fund While (protected protected areas)areas are, local managed government fund and private entities fund in compliance with nicipalities have drafted and adopted the by the National Agency for the Protected Ar- legal requirements and standards as stipulated by the legislationoperational. While local protected plan regarding areas are the managedman- eas, the municipalities are responsible for the by the National Agency for the Protected Areas, the municipalitiesagement areof theresponsible forests and for pasturesthe management fund management of the forest and pastures of of the forest and pastures of their territory based on underthe operation the law; 33% plan of at the the municipalities local level. ha -103 their territory based on the operation plan employees were transferred to 58 municipalities uponven’t the draftedDecision the ofoperational the Council plan ofyet; Ministers 8% at the local level. 103 employees were trans- (433/2016) on the transferring of this function to the local ofgovern the municipalitiesment. didn’t provide any data. ferred to 58 municipalities upon the Decision The resultsof the of Council a study of Ministers in 2018 (433/2016) on the on . LocalAbout Action 26% Plan offor Sustainablethe municipalities Management have of pro- evaluationthe transferring of the performance of this function of the to thenewly local vided correct data about the number of local transferredgovernment. functions including forest and staff members working on the management 66 pastures management , revealed that the 8% Yes number of local employees dedicated to Graphthis 91 Graph 93 function is lower than the number (standard) No stipulated by the law. 33% 59% The specific objective is assessed by means No data of three indicators: . The municipality capacity for drafting operational local plan: about 59% of the municipalities have drafted and adopted the operational local plan regarding the management of the forests and pastures fund under the law; 33% of the municipalities haven‟t drafted the operational plan yet; 8% of the municipalities didn‟t provide any data.

Graph 92 Local staff for management of the Forest and pastures Fund

120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0%

27.7.2 Average

. About 26% of the municipalities have provided correct data about the number of local staff 68 members The Law no. working 49/2016 “On on the Nationalthe management Fund of Forests andof Pastures forest Management” and pastures fund in conformity with the 69 standard Supported byas dldp stipulated and MFE (2018) by the law, while 74% of the municipalities provided either incorrect data or no data at all. . The municipalities employment for this function was 65%, on average, in 2018. 2018. AssessmentAbout 66% Reportof the municipalities have set up the database for private entities with activities133 in the management of the forest and pastures fund of the municipality, while 25% of the municipalities didn‟t have such database operational at the end of 2018.

65 The Law no. 49/2016 “On the National Fund of Forests and Pastures Management” 66 Supported by dldp and MFE (2018)

112 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

of forest and pastures fund in conformity with . About 66% of the municipalities have set up the standard as stipulated by the law, while the database for private entities with activi- 74% of the municipalities provided either in- ties in the management of the forest and pas- correct data or no data at all. tures fund of the municipality, while 25% of . The municipalities employment for this func- the municipalities didn’t have such database tion was 65%, on average, in 2018. operational at the end of 2018.

Table 36 27.7. Afforestation of degraded areas through recycling in the destination of forest resource income and obligations of entities operating in the forestry fund Local Action Plan for Sustainable Manage- No. of specialists for forest fund management in the munic- Development of databases on the subjects ment of Forests and Pastures developed ipality against the number of specialists according to the that exercise activity on the forest and pas- requirements of the legislation ture fund of the Municipality

Belsh Yes 1 Yes Berat Yes 3/5 No Bulqize No 6/26 Yes Cerrik No 2/3 No Delvine No 6 Yes Devoll No data No data No data Diber Yes 4/6 Yes Divjake Yes 1 No Dropull Yes 2 Yes Durres No 3/8 Yes Elbasan Yes 62.00% Yes Fier Yes 2 Yes Finiq Yes 4 Yes Fushe Arrez No 14/25 No Gjirokaster No 1 Yes Gramsh Yes 60% Yes Has No 5 Yes Himare No 9/9 Yes Kamez No 0 No Kavaje Yes 1 No Kelcyre No 3 Yes Klos Yes 11 Yes Kolonje Yes 7 Yes KonisYesl Yes 1/2 Yes Korce No 17/19 Yes Kruje Yes 6/8 Yes Kucove No 2/3 Yes Kukes Yes 25 Yes Kurbin Yes 2/9 Yes Lezhe Yes No data Yes Libohove Yes 1 No Librazhd Yes 9 Yes Lushnje No 3 Yes Malesi e Madhe Yes 14 Yes Maliq Yes 24/10 Yes Mallakaster No 2 No Mat No 0 No Memaliaj No data 1 No data Mirdite No 17/35 Yes Patos No 2 No Peqin Yes 4 No Permet Yes 3 Yes Yesgradec Yes 14/13 Yes Yeslican Yes 4/6 Yes Prrenjas Yes 10/10 Yes Puke Yes 15 No Pustec No data 2 No data Roskovec No 0 Yes Rrogozhine Yes 1/2 Yes Sarande Yes 1 Yes Selenice Yes 5 No data Shijak Yes 2 No Shkoder Yes 56.00% Yes Skrapar No 23/23 No Tepelene No data 2 Yes Tirane No data No data Ne process TroYesje Yes 0 Yes Ura Vajgurore Yes 1/1 Yes Vau I Dejes Yes 0.63 Yes Vlore No 0 No data Vore Yes 2 No

134 2018 Assessment Report 4.11. Chapter 27: Environment and climate change

Problems and challenges (LAP) for the improvement of the air quality, while 67% of the municipalities haven’t . Limited financial and technical capacities to drafted the LAP yet; 28% of the municipal- draft the local operational plan regarding ities have integrated the local measures of the management of the forest and pastures the improvement of the air quality into the fund and to setup the database of the pri- strategic document of the municipality includ- vate operators, which carry out activities in ing the MTBP. the forest fund of the municipality. . Increasing human resources for the proper Progress is reported towards improving inte- management and inspection of the Municipal grated waste management. About 49% of Forest and Pasture Fund in compliance with the municipalities have drafted and adopted the standard as stipulated by the law. the Waste Management Plan, which is part . Limited financial resources for regular capac- of MTBP (the percentage of this indicator is ity building of the local staff working on the higher compared to 2017 ), while 46% of forest fund and management. the municipalities didn’t have such iWMP; . Recruitment of forest specialists should be 64% of the municipalities have managed carried out under the legal requirements. solid waste collection and waste disposal in dumpsites according to their local manage- CONCLUSIONS ON ENVIRONMENT AND ment plan (this shows improvement compared CLIMATE CHANGE to 2017, when it was 43%); around 85% of the municipalities don’t recycle the municipal Concerning awareness-raising and local gov- waste, and around 95% of the municipali- ernment capacity building about their role in ties weren’t able to manage the municipality protecting the environment, 107 local staff waste in two separate streams; around 71 members were trained in 2018; about 20% authorized disposal sites were reported by of the municipalities haven’t participated the municipalities for 2018, which means 1 in the capacity building program on envi- disposal site, on average. ronment issues. 75% of the municipalities organized a total of 241activities about No particular progress is made in terms of awareness-raising and education of young enforcing the task force decision on acoustic generations; about 25% of the municipali- pollution in urban centers and coastal tourist ties have provided either incorrect data or areas. 44% of the municipalities hadn’t es- no data at about awareness-raising activity tablished the acoustic pollution task force yet regarding the protection of the environment at the end of 2018; there is a total of 88 and nature. Environmental issues should be inspectors or 3 inspectors per municipality, on included in the curriculum of primary school average; 7 trainings were organized for the education. Ministry of Education and the Min- for acoustic pollution, inspectors of the mu- istry of Environment should take initiatives nicipalities about the legal framework and to include environment protection subject in measures at the local level. the education curricula of the school similar More efforts are needed in terms of integrating to subjects such as citizenship, music and so the climate change risks into the local plans in on. Education and awareness-raising efforts harmony with national priorities and objectives. should start in the early childhood age in 66% of the municipalities have drafted and order to be most effective and sustainable adopted the local action plan for the mitiga- through adulthood. tion of climate change risks in line with na- Slow progress has been made towards drafting tional priorities and objectives, but around the action plan to improve the quality of en- 75% of the municipalities haven’t yet collect- vironmental air at the local level. 25% of the ed and recorded data on climate change. municipalities have adopted local Action Plan 61% of the municipalities didn’t participate

2018 Assessment Report 135 4.12. Chapter 32: Financial Control

The 2018 annual budget including the local government own revenues, the unconditional transfers, and conditional transfers were 49.6 billion Albanian Leks or 10.4% of the State Budget or 3.1% of the GDP. The 2018 local budget was 7% higher than that of 2017. The pool of the unconditional transfer increased to 23,4 billion Albanian Leks in 2018. The RDF continues to be the single most important source of funding large infrastructure projects at the local level; 2% of the personal income tax collection was pending in 2018; changes to the regulatory framework on the property tax (a value- based system) regarding the tax on buildings is important for the own source revenues of the municipalities, but it is still not functional.67 4.12. Chapter 32: Financial Control MoFE has implemented the Financial Planning Tool, which is an instrument that has brought harmonization of the classification of municipal expenditures according to budget programs, including harmonized tables and reporting templates, while the help-desk provided to LGUs by the MoFE and training activities on the PFM have improved technical capacities of the local administration during 2018. Local government revenues from local taxes and fees have increased by 19% at the national level in any training on climate change. compared to 2017, although there areGraph still 94 disparities among the individual performance of the municipalities. About one-third of the municipalities Slow progress is made towards local capacities Revenue disparities in annual change, 2018 have collected less revenues in 2018 compared to building regarding the effective management 2017, whereas 50% of the municipalities have of forest and pastures fund and afforestation of -100% -50% 0% 50% 100% experienced a revenues decrease from 15% to 60% degraded areas through recycling in the des- Patos less than in 2017 (municipalities small in size and Vau I Dejes tination of forest resource revenues. Around Malesi e Madhe population). About two-thirds of the municipalities Kruje 33% of the municipalities haven’t developed Mirdite have collected more revenues in 2018 compared to Mallakaster any operational plan for the management of Kamez 2017 ranging from 10% to 79%. Part of this Permet forest and pastures fund. The municipalities’ Tirane increase and decrease comes from the infrastructure Divjake impact tax, which is linked with the requests to build number of staff for this function was 65%, Ura Vajgurore Puke in the territory of the municipality.68 on average, in 2018 compared to the for- Peqin Lezhe est specialist standard. Concerning the data- Klos Local Government own revenues were 23.8 billion Himare base of private entities with activities in the Vlore Albanian Leks in 2018 compared to 20.3 billion Kolonje management of the forest and pastures fund Shkoder Albanian Leks in 2017. of the municipality, around 25% of the mu- Kavaje Gjirokaster Shared taxes: 1.3 billion Albanian Leks in 2018 nicipalities didn’t have such database opera- Fier Kelcyre compared to 1.2 billion Albanian Leks in 2017. Rrogozhine tional at the end of 2018. Korce Maliq Unconditional and conditional transfers: 24.8 billion Librazhd Elbasan Albanian Leks in 2018 compared to 21.9 billion Vore 4.12. Chapter 32: Financial Control Sarande Albanian Leks in 2017. Tropoje Pogradec Lushnje The revenues for the Small Business Tax were at the The 2018 annual budget including the local Prrenjas Devoll same level in 2018 compared to 2017 (0.3 billion government own revenues, the uncondition- Has Albanian Leks) – this tax has undergone more Finiq al transfers, and conditional transfers were Tepelene reforms than any other local government tax. Diber 49.6 billion Albanian Lek or 10.4% of the Fushe Arrez Kurbin After a three-year decline period, 2009-2012, the State Budget or 3.1% of the GDP. The 2018 Kukes Durres local government expenditure has increased in local budget was 7% higher than that of Libohove Kucove moderate terms in 2012-2015. Following the TAR 2017. The pool of the unconditional trans- Gramsh Shijak implementation and the transfer of new functions fer increased to 23,4 billion Albanian Lek Dropull (2016), the local government expenditure in 2016 Cerrik in 2018. The RDF continues to be the single Berat increased by 28%, followed by an increase of 7% in Mat most important source of funding large infra- Selenice 2017 and 201869. Belsh structure projects at the local level; 2% of the Memaliaj Konispol personal income tax collection was pending Roskovec Bulqize in 2018; changes to the regulatory frame- Polican Skrapar work on the property tax (a value-based Delvine system) regarding the tax on buildings is im- Pustec portant for the own source revenues of the 67 70 MTR NCCSDLG (MFE and dldp supported) municipalities, but it is still not functional. 68 Source: 2018 Annual Report on Local Public Finances 69 Local government revenues Source: 2018 Annual Report on Local Public from Finances local tax- MoFE has implemented the Financial Planning es and fees have increased by 19% at the Tool, which is an instrument that has brought national level compared to2017, although harmonization of the classification of municipal there are still disparities among the individ- expenditures according to budget programs, 115 ual performance of the municipalities. About including harmonized tables and reporting one-third of the municipalities have collected templates, while the help-desk provided to less revenues in 2018 compared to 2017, LGUs by the MoFE and training activities on whereas 50% of the municipalities have ex- the PFM have improved technical capacities perienced a revenues decrease from 15% to of the local administration during 2018. 60% less than in 2017 (municipalities small in

70 MTR NCCSDLG (MFE and dldp supported)

136 2018 Assessment Report 4.12. Chapter 32: Financial Control

size and population). About two-thirds of the After a three-year decline period, 2009- municipalities have collected more revenues 2012, the local government expenditure has in 2018 compared to 2017 ranging from increased in moderate terms in 2012-2015. 10% to 79%. Part of this increase and de- Following the TAR implementation and the crease comes from the infrastructure impact transfer of new functions (2016), the local tax, which is linked with the requests to build government expenditure in 2016 increased in the territory of the municipality.71 by 28%, followed by an increase of 7% in 2017 and 201872. Local Government own revenues were 23.8 billion Albanian Lek in 2018 compared to The staff expenditures were around 42% Graph 95 The structure of the Local expenditure, in billion ALL

40 The structure of the Local expenditure, in billion ALL 21 19 15 16 16 20 40 11 21 19 16 16 0 20 11 15 Salaries Operational Investments 0

Salaries 2017 2018Operational Investments

2017 2018 The staff expenditures were around 42% of the total expenditure, which includes the salaries of the staff transferred20.3 billion inAlbanian relation Lek to in the 2017. five new functions includingof the: education,total expenditure, irrigation which and includes drainage the salaries of the staff transferred in relation (agriculture), TheShared staff rural expendituretaxes: roads, 1.3 billion fsorest were Albanian and around pastures Leks 42%in 2018 management, of the total fireexpenditure,fighting and which rescue includes centers. the Operational salaries of the to the five new functions including: education, expendituresstaffcompared transferred have to 1.2 slightly in billion relation Albanian increases to theLeks in fivein2018 2017. new compared functions to including 2017 : (29%education, of the irrigation local government and drainage (agriculture), rural roads, forest and pastures management,irrigation firefighting and drainage and rescue (agriculture), centers. Operational rural expenditure). Unconditional Expenditure and s conditionalfor subsidies tr oransfers: other uses to cover other important local functions have expenditures have slightly increases in 2018 comparedroads, to forest2017 and(29% pastures of the management,local government undergone24.8 some billion minor Albanian changes. Lek in 2018 compared expenditure). Expenditures for subsidies or other uses firefightingto cover other and imrescueportant centers. local functionsOperational have to 21.9 billion Albanian Lek in 2017. undergone some minor changes. expenditures have slightly increases in 2018 Annual Change of Expenditure in 2018 compared to 2017

60% Graph 96 Annual Change of Expenditure in 2018 compared to 2017 40% 20% 60% 0% 40% -20% 20% -40% 0% -60%-20% -40% Mat Fier Has Klos Vora Finiq Puka Kruja Vlora Arrez Berat Maliq Dibra Belsh Patos Peqin Korca Cerrik - Shijak Lezha Devoll Kukes Tirana Kurbin Durres Mirdita Pustec Kavaja

-60% Kamza Dropull Himara Permet Divjaka Bulqiza Polican Kucova Delvina Kelcyra Kolonja Tropoja Lushnje Skrapar Gramsh Elbasan Prrenjas Shkodra Saranda Selenica Librazhd Konispol Memaliaj Libohova Tepelena Pogradec Roskovec Gjirokastra Mallakastra Rrogozhina Vau I I Vau Dejes Mat Fier Has Fushe Klos Vora Finiq Puka Kruja Vlora Arrez Berat Maliq Dibra Belsh Ura Vajgurore Ura Patos Peqin Korca Cerrik - Shijak Lezha Devoll Kukes Tirana Kurbin Durres Mirdita Pustec Kavaja Kamza Dropull Himara Permet Divjaka Bulqiza Polican Malesi e Malesi Madhe Kucova Delvina Kelcyra Kolonja Tropoja Lushnje Skrapar Gramsh Elbasan Prrenjas Shkodra Saranda Selenica Librazhd Konispol Memaliaj Libohova Tepelena Pogradec Roskovec Gjirokastra Mallakastra Rrogozhina Vau I I Vau Dejes

Fushe Ura Vajgurore Ura Malesi e Malesi Madhe Capital expenditure has amounted to 14.2 billion Albanian Leks or 29% of the local government expenditure (or 2 billion Albanian Leks less than in 2017).70 CapitalThe rev expenditureenues for the has Small amounted Business Tax to were14.2 billion Albaniancompared Leks to or2017 29% (29% of ofthe the local local government gov- Problemsexpenditureat the and same challenges (or level 2 billion in 2018 Albanian compared Leks to less2017 than in 2017ernment).70 expenditure). Expenditures for sub- . (0.3Municipalities billion Albanian should Lek) plan – inthis the tax long has-term un- period basedsidies on or their other strategic uses to developmentcover other important Problemsdergonedocuments. and more challenges reforms than any other local local functions have undergone some minor . government.Insufficien Municipalitiest tax.fund for should large plan infrastructure in the long projects-term period. changes. based on their strategic development . Limiteddocuments. financial resources to settle the arrears with third parties, 71 Source: 2018 Annual Report on Local Public Finances 72. .Limited SourInsufficience: human 2018 Annualt andfund Report professional for on large Local Public infrastructure capacities Finances for projects regular. internal audits and controls by the .municipal Limited council financial. resources to settle the arrears with third parties, One of .the Limitedproblems human faced and when professional drafting capacitiesthis report for was regular the highinternal discrepancy audits and between controls theby thedata reported bymunicipal the municipalities council. and the data reported by the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the 2018 Assessment Report 137 annualOne local of thegovernment problems financ facedial whenreport. dra Thisfting shows this again repo rtthe was insufficient the high capacities discrepancy of municipalities between the to data maintainreported and by report the municipalities the data, combinedand the dataalso rewithported the bylack the of Ministry accountability of Finance of andthe Economymunicipal in the departmentsannual local to governmentpay attention financ andial getreport. actively This showsinvolved again and the support insufficient European capacities Integration of municipalities Units to colleaguesmaintain during and thereport reporting the data, process. combined The part also of finanwith cialthe control lack ofwas accountability also the place of where the municipalsuch problemsdepartments were persistently to pay attention noted at theand municipalities‟ get actively data involved reporting. and support European Integration Units colleagues during the reporting process. The part of financial control was also the place where such CONCLUSIONSproblems were ON persistently FINANCIAL noted CONTROL at the municipalities‟ data reporting. The human and technical capacities of the local administration have been improved in regard to the public CONCLUSIONS ON FINANCIAL CONTROL expenditure management including budget planning capacities and budget execution. The local government revenuesThe human from localand technical taxes and capacities fees have of theincreased local administration by 19% at thehave national been improved level compared in regard to to 2017, the public expenditure management including budget planning capacities and budget execution. The local government 70 2018revenues Annual Report from Local local Public taxes Finances and fees have increased by 19% at the national level compared to 2017,

70 2018 Annual Report Local Public Finances 116

116 4.12. Chapter 32: Financial Control

Capital expenditure has amounted to14.2 CONCLUSIONS ON FINANCIAL CONTROL billion Albanian Lek or 29% of the local government expenditure (or 2 billion Albanian The human and technical capacities of the local Lek less than in 2017).73 administration have been improved in regard to the public expenditure management including budget planning capacities and budget exe- Problems and challenges cution. The local government revenues from . Municipalities should plan in the long-term local taxes and fees have increased by 19% period based on their strategic development at the national level compared to 2017, but documents. there are disparities among the individu- . Insufficient fund for large infrastructure al performance of the municipalities. About projects. one-third of the municipalities have collected . Limited financial resources to settle the ar- less revenue in 2018 than in 2017; two-thirds rears with third parties, of the municipalities have collected more . Limited human and professional capacities revenues in 2018 compared to 2017 rang- for regular internal audits and controls by ing from 10% to 79%. The local government the municipal council. expenditure in 2018 increased by 7% com- One of the problems faced when drafting pared to 2017. this report was the high discrepancy between the data reported by the municipalities and the data reported by the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the annual local government financial report. This shows again the insufficient capacities of municipalities to maintain and report the data, combined also with the lack of accountability of the municipal departments to pay attention and get actively involved and support European Integration Units colleagues during the reporting process. The part of financial control was also the place where such problems were persistently noted at the municipalities’ data reporting.

73 2018 Annual Report Local Public Finances

138 2018 Assessment Report 5. RECOMMENDATIONS

5 RECOMMENDATIONS

EU integration is challenging and requires many A. POLITICAL CRITERIA efforts from central and local administration. The second annual edition of the report “Municipal- RECOMMENDATIONS ON DEMOCRACY ities in the EU Integration Process of Albania” represents a snapshot of how Albanian munici- Strengthening local government capacity - Trainings: palities are doing in fulfilling responsibilities as defined by the existing policy and legal frame- • To conduct frequent Training Needs Assess- work, and reforming process and also related to ment in order to tailor the really needs and the accession process of the country. gaps of the administration for training.

In this framework, the following report aims to • To design specific training curricula and provide some recommendations on findings of training programs tailored to the needs of 2018 mapping report “Municipalities in the EU administration at each level (leadership, Integration Process of Albania”, which is based managerial and executing level). Trainings on the self-assessment performance of munici- should also include the Municipal Councils’ palities for each indicator. These recommenda- members, especially at the beginning of tions will help local and central government to new mandate of the mayor and council. face the challenges arising from the European integration process as well as donors to prioritize • The approach of trainings to be not only areas for their presence and assistance in Alba- theoretical, but also on the job training. nia. It is time to raise LGUs awareness about the • importance of local government in the EU inte- To develop E-learning training modules as gration process in order to fulfill the membership an effective tool to reach all local admin- criteria in which local government is responsible istration within the framework of the functions established • Municipalities must plan relevant funds in in law 139/2015 “On Local Self-Government”. their Medium term Budget Program for The report is organized through chapters ac- staff training in order to increase their ca- cording to the “Municipalities in the EU Integra- pacities. tion Process of Albania” report. • Donors and other relevant structures should provide sufficient budget for the implementation of these trainings.

2018 Assessment Report 139 5. RECOMMENDATIONS

• Strengthening the meritocratic system in lo- accountabilities linkages. Vertical account- cal administration through: ability – Top down between central institutions, horizontal accountability between o Strengthening transparent recruit- other involved institutions such as courts, ment procedures and employee ombudsman, anti – corruption agencies, lo- performance evaluation based on cal government council etc., and bottom up certain indicators. accountabilities, ensuring the involvement of citizens, media and civic organizations. Strengthening human resource o • Also municipalities need to strengthen their management through further train- internal control mechanisms, in order to ings and manuals, continued assis- raise their accountability level. tance to municipalities that face difficulties in applying human resource procedures and assistance Increasing the transparency of the local govern- to municipalities that still have not ment absorbed the use of the human re- • source platform. Municipalities should strengthen their capacities to use public hearings and address properly all the relevant citizens recommendations when making a decision. Munic- Increasing the accountability of the local govern- ipality should address the following three ment - Requests / complaints mechanisms issues: • Municipalities and Administrative Units o How to ensure broad participation should be supported in the consolidation of all groups and stakeholders at of OSS system as an important mechanism public hearings? that records each request / complaint and monitors the entire flow of procedure until o How to inform participants and the the moment the citizens’ request are prop- broader community about the is- erly addressed. sues that will be discussed?

• Municipalities should also provide other o How to demonstrate that the public mechanisms for citizens in order that they recommendations are addressed have different forms of access / commu- properly? nication channels to address their concerns • (requests/complaints). These mechanisms Municipalities need support to find success- should be accessible in an unrestricted man- ful ways to engage citizens in policy-making ner for any person that has to address a and shaping communities. The involvement complaint. of community in decision-making should be a process with geographical disperse, in or- • Every mechanism created should be moni- der to give access also to citizens living in tored in order to fully meet citizen’s expec- remote areas to raise their voice. tations in terms of addressing their com- • plaints. Increasing cooperation between local civil society organizations and municipalities in • It is also important to strengthen political order to increase citizens’ participation and will, because it is critical for the successful motivate them to be part of the local deci- implementation of a complaint mechanism. sion making. • In order to have an increased accountabil- • It is recommended to strengthen monitor- ity the municipalities have to ensure the ing mechanisms, such as Municipal Council,

140 2018 Assessment Report 5. RECOMMENDATIONS

Community Structures and Civil Society Or- a structure within the municipalities by re- ganizations in order to ensure the address- viewing their organizational structures and ing of all relevant recommendations during drafting internal regulations by adapting public hearings. the OSS procedures as internal practices.

• Public hearings should go through several • Review of administrative services (espe- phases, in order to be effective, because as cially the protocol phase, which is a crucial a legally required mechanism, the major- phase that would facilitate the digitaliza- ity of municipalities formally respect them tion of services and would bring paperless without actually considering the require- approach) in order to facilitate them fur- ments of the community. These phases are: ther and review of their legal basis in order 1. Identification of different target to consolidate their implementation in OSS groups and their problems / require- system. ments; • To provide assistance in hardware infra- 2. Evaluation of submitted requests, in structure in order to increase the efficiency order to harmonize them with medi- of OSS system, because there is a lack of um-term strategies and development infrastructure in most of LGUs. vision of municipalities; 3. Selection of requirements / issues to • It is recommended to ensure the full func- be addressed in municipality plan- tioning of all Administrative Units as OSS ning documents; service points and to increase their capac- 4. Involvement of their requirements ities in absorbing the system and the new in planning and development docu- administrative procedures to better serve ments; the citizens. 5. Monitoring the implementation of community recommendations / re- • Standardization and unification of adminis- quirements. This phase implies the trative procedures for the provision of ser- establishment of monitoring struc- vices at the local level. Re-optimization of tures with representatives of interest work processes with the aim of facilitating groups and municipalities. them, reducing bureaucracy and increasing • In addition to public hearings, in the frame- service delivery efficiency. work of transparency and accountability, one of the instruments that can be used by • To strengthen local administration capaci- municipalities is the creation of a standard- ties in order to fully understand the OSS ized and unified database that may include functionalities and operation and imple- various statistics relevant for citizens and all ment it properly: stakeholders and publish them periodically. o Front office employees, as the first point of contact should have a One Stop Shop Offices broad knowledge about all local services. They also should improve • Given the importance and benefits of OSS ethics and have a sustainable and offices, it is recommended to continuously continuous communication with citi- support and strengthen local capacities in zens to better respond to their de- order to provide efficient services and to mands. build trust in the administration and citizens as well as to consolidate OSS procedures o Back office employees in the- ab as daily practices. sorption of new administrative procedures and in facilitating the use • It is important to consolidate OSS office as

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of the system size cities where CSO are not present.

• Once the OSS system is implemented, there • Government and donors should encour- should be a possibility to integrate services age grassroots local CSOs through differ- at the local level (OSS model) and services ent projects and financial instruments to be at the national level (ADISA model) into one more active in playing their role and in- place (office) to better serve to citizens. All crease the civil society’s awareness of the services will be easily accessible by citi- influential power it has in local politics. zens, as well as their quality and standard will be increased. • It is necessary to find inclusive mechanisms, to increase the confidence of civil society and its activism in local decision-making, along with increasing their capacities in Improving the municipality capacities of review- order to enable them to communicate their ing the Ombudsman reports concerns and the concerns of community in an effective and credible manner. • It is necessary to strengthen Ombudsman cooperation with municipalities and to create “binding” mechanisms that the municipalities and all other public institutions RECOMMENDATIONS ON RULE OF LAW take into consideration these important rec- • ommendations. Effective institutional coop- Drafting Local Anti-Corruption Plans for eration on the level of implementation of each municipality, as an objective envi- recommendations is a good indicator of re- sioned in the 2015-2020 Cross-cutting An- specting the principles of good governance ti-Corruption Strategy in order to identify at the local level. specific areas subject to corruption in the municipality, the drafting of the code of • It is recommended that besides the level of conduct and corruption reporting not only cooperation, the Government of Albania from municipal employees, and to bring a should strengthen the monitoring role of the vision for combating corruption within the Albanian Parliament to systematically mon- municipality. It is important to engage mu- itor the implementation level of the recom- nicipalities by allocating special budget mendations. items for the implementation of these plans, in order to ensure their effectiveness. • Municipalities should increase their capaci- • Building the capacities of municipalities for ties in drafting formal responses to the Om- drafting Anti-Corruption Local Plans. The budsman Institution at the required level. capacities should be built through relevant trainings from Ministry of Justices. • A reporting mechanism or a unified online • Municipalities should build a system to re- system should be established to ensure the port, to track and to solve corruption cas- collection of accurate and detailed infor- es. They should also establish some internal mation from the municipalities. rules to follow on corruption risks at local Consolidation of the civil society at local level level as well as establish some sanctions for administrative violations in order to reduce • To strengthen civil society at the local level corruption cases. in most of municipalities, in order to increase • Strengthen local administrative capacities their watchdog role for local governments, through trainings/workshops on anti-cor- to advocate, to promote and to address ruption issues and legislation in force. better different local issues for different • Local CSOs should increase their role on groups, especially in the small and medium the fight against corruption; increase their

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knowledge and capacities in monitoring competences. and raising awareness on community and o There is a high number of issues local administration about anti-corruption of public interest that are repre- issues. sented before the domestic courts, the Constitutional Court and the RECOMMENDATIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS Strasbourg Court, related to: human rights violations for water, the • Increasing knowledge and awareness on provision of adequate health care, the human rights standards for local pub- a clean and healthy environment, lic officials through various trainings/work- non-discrimination and equality, shops. the right to vote, the right not to be • Increase the cooperation of municipali- subjected to torture, inhuman and ties and CSOs that have a focus on human degrading treatment, the right to rights. compensation in cases of natural • Development of residential centers for ur- disasters, the right to information, gent cases and provision of social housing public consultation, etc. for individuals in need, ensuring the right of o Violation of transparency princi- housing for every person. ple and open government, due to • The following issues need to be addressed implementation level of the law on to enable their institutional solution, reflect- public notification and consultation ing the increased responsibility of the Al- by institutions at central and local banian government: level, failing to respect the require- o Increasing citizen’s trust in the hu- ments for public consultation dead- man rights protection referral sys- lines and procedures. This mean tem, because however there is a those public institutions have yet good and functional system, it has work to do in implementing all the been often noted formal respons- law requirements. es and deviations from institutional

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B. ECONOMIC CRITERIA development initiatives. The social fund is a new financial mechanism that guarantees social services in each municipality. RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE EXISTENCE OF A FUNCTIONING MARKET ECONOMY • Municipalities should find local mechanisms in order to strengthen the engagement of local business sector with municipal council • The municipalities’ role in economic devel- on business issues as well as with other key opment should be supported not only by stakeholders. General Local Plans which is mainly focused on planning and regulating: ensur- • Municipalities should create a more sup- ing the livability of an area by regulating portive and competitive business environ- where, when and how business activities can ment via leadership and policymaking. occur; but also by Sectoral Local Plans, in They should also promote various pro-busi- order to support the development of the lo- ness initiatives. cal economy and its business base through programs and services that help firms do • Investing in basic infrastructure that will re- better and facilitating investments into the duce the cost of business and increase the local area. There is a huge need for as- ease of doing business. sistance in designing such plans that goes beyond territorial planning, but instead in- • Improving local services for business com- tegrate economic development with other munity by facilitating the administrative sectors, such as industry, enterprises, agri- procedures through OSS systems. culture and agro-processing, tourism etc. • Municipalitie with culture heritage mon- within one territory. uments and places must be supported to • Municipalities should establish an agenda carry out mapping of the culture heritage for tourism development, as this industry monuments by assessing the situation in is one of the few current viable strategies each of the culture heritage sites in terms of for economic development, especially in ru- facilities serving to tourists’ needs and ser- ral areas. Tourism may be also considered vices in order to attract more tourists and an option for the local development of an enable them to provide quality services; area, either alone or complementary with other economic activities.

• All municipalities should draft the Tourism Development Plans with clear orientations and measures, supported by short and mid- term actions, aiming to address prominent challenges, as well as guide and coordinate sustainable tourism development from a land use planning perspective within an area.

• Municipalities should find instruments to encourage new business start-ups, local initiatives and business incubators. Municipalities should also use social fund to integrate groups in need and involve them in local

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C. ABILITY TO ASSUME MEMBERSHIP casts and strategies for finding and orient- OBLIGATIONS ing markets in favor of farmers and groups of interest. General recommendations regarding to the EU • Neighboring municipalities should be coor- integration process: dinated in the implementation and main- • Support LGUs to increase their capacities tenance of agricultural infrastructure by to benefit from EU funds in particular to ensuring coherence and prioritization in in- mid-size and small municipalities by means frastructure interventions according to the of training and hands on support through- impacts they will have on the territory of out the cycle of EU-funded projects. two or more municipalities. • Evaluation of the performance of the mu- • Increasing capacities regarding to the ad- nicipalities in the framework of the Europe- ministration of grant financial schemes by an integration process. conducting trainings/workshops for special- • Strengthen the capacities of the new EU In- ists in the agricultural sector in the munici- tegration office and support them to effec- pality. tively carry out information dissemination • Municipalities should regularly inform all campaign on the EU integration process at farmers and groups of interest on the grant local level (both with local administration funding schemes, ensuring equal access for and citizens) in order to increase knowl- all interested parties, along with coordina- edge and to awareness about the responsi- tion with the central government in order bility in this process. that assistance and support is provided to them for successfully applying to the grant RECOMMENDATIONS ON AGRICULTURE AND ‘schemes. RURAL DEVELOPMENT • Raising awareness of farmers, groups of interest and associations that work on agri- • To accelerate the transfer of all functions culture sector to be more active and to par- and competences from the former Agricul- ticipate in municipal decision-making. tural Directorates to the structures created • To develop criteria for asymmetric decen- for the agriculture sector in the municipali- tralization in different issues in interest of ties, according to the law of local self-gov- central government related to agriculture ernment. and rural development in order to better • Strengthening the structure of the agricul- execute this function. ture sector in the municipality and organiz- ing them with specialists of relevant education in this field. • Increase access to information that the mu- RECOMMENDATIONS ON FOOD SAFETY, VET- nicipality has to provide in relation to the ERINARY AND PHYTOSANITARY POLICIES agricultural sector by using information tools for all categories of population impli- • cated in this sector. Municipalities should undertake campaigns • Implementation of an information system in order to raise awareness and to orient for agricultural information and agricultur- costumers towards monitored and licensed al advisory offices for farmers. Creating a markets. • database for the agricultural sector would Identification of informal markets, strength- not only assist the municipality in monitoring ening of controls by municipal structures the sector but would also reflect the situa- and reconciliation with relevant state struction more clearly, enabling valuable fore- tures as state police for these informal mar-

2018 Assessment Report 145 5. RECOMMENDATIONS

kets in order to improve trading conditions, trative violations that can be carried out by promote fair competition and contribute to the operators of the transportation lines. the process of local economic development. • It is important that the Ministry responsible • Creating as many opportunities for traders for transport undertakes an initiative to set as possible, for example, the creation of some standards for drafting urban trans- movable and temporary or daily markets port maps in the same format in each mu- where traders can sell their products ac- nicipality. cording to a defined calendar and specific • Encourage of municipalities to publish bus areas. This will be a greater opportunity schedules on any bus station and transport for traders to sell their products and an op- maps in order to increase the knowledge of portunity for shoppers to have more access the citizens and to influence the quality of to markets. It may also contribute to lower private urban companies. tax evasion and increase municipality rev- • Development of multi-modal stations as enues. foreseen in the General Local Plans ap- • Conducting trainings/workshops by experts proved by each municipality. in this field in order to increase the knowl- • To develop criteria for asymmetric decen- edge of municipal inspectors about food tralization on transport policies in interest control. of central government to better execute this • Municipalities need to identify (through the function. undertaking of a proper study) the production capacities (businesses) that operate in RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENERGY their territory in order to support the central initiative of Albanian Government in • Municipalities should undertake informative facilitating import-export.. It has been evi- campaigns for the citizens regarding to en- denced by Albanian businesses the necessi- ergy efficiency, by raising awareness and ty of signing bilateral agreements with the encouraging the adoption of more efficient countries of the region for the bilateral uni- energy consumption models. fication of agricultural certificates for dif- • Application of soft loans and other finan- ferent products. Certainly, this policy should cial schemes to help citizens to intervene be undertaken by the central institutions but in their homes in order to increase energy will be reflected in the strengthening of the efficiency. control competences of the municipalities. • Application of facilitating fiscal policies for • To develop criteria for asymmetric decen- private entities that undertake their inter- tralization in different issues in interest of vention costs to increase energy efficiency central government related to food safety, and use of alternative sources of energy. veterinary and phytosanitary policies in or- • To develop criteria for asymmetric decen- der to better execute this function. tralization on different issues related to energy in interest of central government. RECOMMENDATIONS ON TRANSPORT POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ON TAXES • Determination of priority road axes according to the benefits they bring to citizens • Identifying tax system weaknesses and and intervening in the rehabilitation or con- identifying opportunities for improvement. struction of these road segments. • Strengthening, improving and clarifying lo- • Municipalities should promote competition cal tax revenue administration and policies. between transport operators, thus promot- • Identifying mechanisms how to promote ef- ing the achievement of the highest quality fective, efficient and legitimate local gov- standards in public transportation. ernment tax systems and tax administra- • Application of strict penalties for adminis- tions.

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• Increasing local government fiscal autono- meet all the needs of the groups in my, which means more autonomy to local need and should increase their capaci- governments in raising own-source reve- ties through continuous trainings for the nues. The ability of local governments to various target groups’ problems in or- raise local own-source revenue through der to offer social services with quality taxes provides increased accountability to and efficiency. citizens. • The employees of CPUs (Child Protec- • Revenue raising of LGUs should be concen- tion Units) in each municipality should trated on four robust and efficient broad- be specialized and have adequate ed- based taxes: ucation and training in the treatment of o personal income, assessed on a children and families (social worker or more comprehensive basis; psychologies) and should be trained on o business income, designed to sup- a follow-up of specific cases as well as port economic growth; referral system. o rents on natural resources and land; and Social Plans o private consumption. • Revision of the first Local Social Plans with • Local government needs to be more trans- the aim to harmonize social plans with the parent on whether the local taxes are be- approved legal framework and national ing used to finance expenditures that are strategies. responsive to the needs and preferences of • Identification and measurement of real citizens. needs for each marginalized group • Reviewing and redefining the legal frame- and involving all of these groups in the work for local taxes and tariffs especially social plans, in order to draft realistic property tax, urban land tax, value based ones. Municipalities should also consid- tax on buildings, etc. er to address the problems/needs of • The gradual increase of the percentage of their rural territories in the social plans. GDP of the unconditional transfer allocat- • Revision of social plans during their im- ed to LGUs from Central Government as plementation phases as social plans a need to increase the financing to Local that have long-term objectives must be Government. measurable and achievable as well • Review of the allocation of the conditional as break down into activities and pro- transfer from the state budget to increase grams and focus on the services effec- the efficiency and financing of local strate- tiveness. gic projects. • The government should establish more trans- Social Services parent means of dealing with community • Municipalities should also prioritize ideas about the tax system by extending their the possibility of strengthening the so- websites and further developing its use. cial competences of the Administrative Units as the closest unit to the community. Also, it should have a distribution of social services in all territories, in both RECOMMENDATIONS ON SOCIAL POLICY AND rural and urban areas. EMPLOYMENT • Support municipalities in the establishment of direct services, so that different groups in need receive the right Staff and Trainings and quality social services. Also, it is • Municipalities should provide sufficient necessary to define service standards staff under the legislation in force to and costs per unit.

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• Creating a database for different in- protection structures at local lev- dicators related to social services for el regarding implementation of different vulnerabel groups as well as legislation, child protection proce- a database for all referral cases in or- dures, proactive identification and der to manage local data efficiently cross-sectorial cooperation. and to address the right policies. It is • Ensuring and granting from all mu- important to evaluate the relevant in- nicipalities at national level inter- dicators to be part of the database. vention and reception services to • It is also important to increase the assist children 24 hours a day. quality and effectiveness of social • Establish cross-sectorial (multidis- services and to strengthen the referral ciplinary) groups, providing child and case management system. services to each municipality and • The establishment of shelters for the administrative unit. management of cases of domestic vio- • Establish working groups (from em- lence, cases of child abuse or potential ployee of institutions or local or- victims of trafficking/ victims of traf- ganizations) to identify children in ficking in each municipality. street situation across the country. • The improvement of existing infrastruc- • Monitoring and control of media ture as well as infrastructure construc- that publish cases related to child tion for people with disabilities that issues (to preserve the principal of will facilitate their movement and liv- confidentially and to avoid re-vic- ing conditions. timization of the child). • Financing and setting up community centers for all the vulnerable groups Employment in each municipality in order to receive • The central and local government should services. ensure the promotion of current employment opportunities through effective labor Protection of children market policies. • The improvement of a monitoring • Increasing capacities and definition of system and the improvement of qualification programs in vocational educa- public services, legal, psychologi- tion institutions according to the needs of cal, child protection services. the local labor market. • The establishment of a special- • Building and strengthening cooperation ized center for providing services with businesses to support unemployed to children who have experienced people with their expertise in order to be physical, psychological and sexual more qualified and to create employment violence, and children who are ne- opportunities and increase the possibility glected. to hire groups in need. • Providing new programs and new • Promotion of social enterprises as one mecha- policies for the employement of nisms that ensure the protection and social in- parents whose children have dif- clusion of vulnerable groups through the pro- ferent problems (to work and also vision of employment opportunities and the to care for their children). economic and social integration of vulnerable • Raising awareness and mobiliza- groups by promoting the spirit of responsibil- tion of public and non-public insti- ity, solidarity and cohesion in the community. tutions at central and local level to • In addition to the promotion of these en- protect children from all forms of terprises, municipalities should support and violence. implement social enterprise development • Strengthen the capacities of child policies under the legislation in force.

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RECOMMENDATIONS ON JUDICIARY • Municipalities should also work with the AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS community especially in rural areas by raising awareness of cases of domestic violence • All municipalities should ensure trained and since many cases of violence in rural areas competent staff in order to have an effec- in Administrative Units are not reported. tive Child Protection Unit according to the • To ensure the provision of the assistance principle of protection of the best interest for the identified cases of woman who are of the child. domestic violence victims as their right, be- • Better coordination between CPU (Child cause many municipalities didn’t apply this Protection Unit) and psycho-social service right. groups in schools (to reduce bullying, dis- • Increase the number of the municipalities crimination etc.). that allocate dedicated budget for children • Despite the adoption of the Action Plan for protection as well as have a gender sensi- Persons with Disabilities 2016 - 2020, it tive budget/MTBP. is recommended to approximate domestic • Improving reporting and cooperation be- legislation with the United Nations Conven- tween municipalities and the Commissioner tion on the Rights of Persons with Disabili- for Protection from Discrimination. ties, particularly with regard to legal ca- • Conducting awareness campaigns (in urban pacity for the realization of legal actions. and rural areas) on the protection from any Also, Audiovisual Media Service Providers form of discrimination, gender equality is- (national and local) should make progress sues, protection of the Roma and Egyptian in guaranteeing the use of sign language Communities, as well as the recognition of for people with hearing disabilities, in com- minorities’ rights and human rights. pliance with the obligation provided by the • Improving road infrastructure in order to Law no. 97/2013 “On Audiovisual Media facilitate accessibility of PWD (People with in the Republic of Albania”. Disability) as well as schools infrastructure • It’s needed to take into consideration the that fulfill the standards for children with adoption of the new law on the protection disabilities. of minorities, drafted in accordance with • Build flexible and easily accessible services the Council of Europe’s Framework Conven- for Roma and Egyptian communities to tion for the Protection of Minorities as well raise a trust and confident system for their as concrete and effective measures are integration into society (to have easily ac- now needed especially to members of the cess to social services, health, promoting of Roma and Egyptian communities. education of Roma and Egyptian youth and • There is a need for further public aware- to ensure and support for their employment ness initiatives and the implementation of and promote the positive models). the principle of independence and confi- dentiality regarding to Lesbian, Gay, Bi- sexual, Transgender and Intersex or “her- RECOMMENDATIONS ON JUSTICE, maphrodite” (LGBTI) rights also the persons FREEDOM AND SECURITY with HIV / AIDS, as the stigma to the community is high and their acceptance in soci- • Strengthening the capacity of Local Public ety continues to remain at low levels. Safety Councils to function properly and • Enhance the protection of domestic violence to have a real impact on the safety of the victims through the proper functioning of the municipality by involving representatives of referral system. It is important to ensure the local institutions directly concerned with se- participation of Heads of local institutions curity issues and representatives from civil in municipal meetings on domestic violence society organizations, religious communi- management policies. ties, the business community, schools, etc.

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• Establishment of sustainable collaboration teachers and municipality in order to in- among all local stakeholders, including civil crease knowledge and awareness about society, police, social services, etc., to iden- education as well as to raise voice about tify local community challenges in terms of different concerns. personal security and increase public safe- • Developing a local system (concrete ac- ty. tions) for social inclusion of disadvantaged • Increase the level of expertise in this field children. within municipality. • Improvement of the monitoring system for • Identification of factors that could have an school dropout cases, as official data do not influencing effect on the achievements of correspond to the real situation in schools. the local government in the fight against • Improvement of the schools infrastructure; crime. Equipment with teaching laboratories; • Municipalities should increase and strength- achievement of the standard for the num- en the integrity of public administration ber of children in the classroom; creation of (transparency and declarations of assets). friendly schools for children, parents and • Drafting, implementation and monitoring of community. legal initiatives to prevent and reduce cor- • Establishment of youth centers for young ruption at all levels, as well as increasing people, who have almost no entertainment awareness on how to avoid forms of cor- facilities in small towns. ruption, and on the other side, awareness • Building libraries/or making the existing on the increase of denunciations of corrupt ones functional; Building Sport fields. acts by everyone. Culture: RECOMMENDATIONS ON EDUCATION • Municipalities should draft Cultural Local AND CULTURE Strategies providing necessary policies on supporting and strengthening structures Education: responsible for cultural heritage manage- • Improving kindergartens and pre-school ment, aiming to develop, promote and con- education accessibility in rural areas. It is serve cultural heritage resources at local important to provide the necessary infra- level. structure and access in remote areas without pre-school education in order to im- • These strategic documents should be fore- prove educational opportunities for all the seen in the medium term budget programs children within municipality territory. in order to be effectively implemented. • Improving schools infrastructure by planning and allocating more budget for this purpose. RECOMMENDATIONS ON ENVIRONMENT • Drafting policies for equalizing the educa- AND CLIMATE CHANGE tional opportunities for children that are part of vulnerable groups. • Coverage of the municipal territo- • Designing an educational system of quality ry with monitoring stations for wa- assurance (standards, internal evaluation ter, air, soil or other environmental etc.) pollution sources like acoustic, tele- • Municipalities should take initiatives to in- communication frequencies, radio- crease social awareness about the signifi- activity etc. cance of early education through different • Interpretation of indicators from dissemination tools. relevant experts and regular pub- • Find local mechanisms to successfully build lication of data for informing the communication channels between parents,

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citizens about the environmental • Designing and implementing a standard- situation in the territory where they ized integrated system in each municipal- live. ity for the local tax and tariff system. The • The municipality should publish an unified system will not only standardize the annual report with environmental way of keeping data on local obligations monitoring data that are compre- but will produce accurate and real-time hensive and advisory for the citi- data, helping to increase revenue collec- zens. tion performance and contributing to inter- • Better use of funds for integrated nal control for the purpose of efficient and urban waste management, as lo- modern management of local taxes. cal government bodies continue to This system will also help increasing the face inadequate funds and in some performance of OSS systems, as one of cases there are identified some vi- the key features of the OSS system is the olation by causing significant public integration with the local taxes system to space pollution, especially in river check in real time whether the applicant beds. (citizen / business) has paid his obligations • To develop criteria for asymmetric or not. This will also increase the efficiency decentralization in different issues of service delivery by reducing the num- in interest of central government ber of submitted documents, as it will not related to environment and climate be necessary for the applicant to request a change in order to better execute receipt for local payment and then submit this function. it as a document during the application for • Strengthen the cooperation between a service in OSS system. This verification of the municipality and citizens to en- data within the municipal institution can be gage them in environmental pro- accomplished by integrating the systems. tection actions as well as on actions • Preparation and updating of strategic aiming to monitor and influence the plans for all municipalities of Albania and environmental pollution from eco- preparation of MTBP based on these stra- nomic operators, and put pressure tegic plans. on them to take measures to avoid • Prepare good and informative MTBP docu- pollution. ment that enable the municipal council and citizens easy understand where the budget RECOMMENDATIONS ON FINANCIAL CONTROL is invested and what is going to be produced (delivered) in a each of the MTBP • Increase of local capacities for efficient ad- cycle. ministration of local taxes and tariffs. • Drafting performance reports based on • Assessing the capacity of local administrations non-financial data (performance indica- to achieve their potential by identifying the key tors) that explain budget expenditures for constraints on local government tax collection 61 municipalities as a need to analyze the capacity. municipality’s performance and the per- • Promoting greater revenue collections by centage of realization of forecasts for the increasing local capacity to collect as much specified budget period. local revenue as possible, to analyze their • Realization of a simple and unique format potential and to implement effective local for the 61 municipalities in drafting and ex- revenue management. The capacity to col- ecuting the budget in order to facilitate the lect potential revenues directly affects the reading and analysis of the budget from the provision of citizen services and doing in- community. vestments. • Increasing Local Governments’ capacities in

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order to profit from donor funds or domestic borrowing policies for the financing of capital projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS ON REGIONAL POLICIES

• Review and clearly define local, regional and central competencies in order to avoid their overlapping and to have a harmonization of structures at each level • Increasing knowledge and awareness on cooperation among municipalities over different local services and investments policies through good practices, guidebooks, brochures etc. • Increase the cooperation of the Regional Council and other institution in central and local government for a better regional development. • Strengthen cooperation between LGUs in the framework of regional and cross-border cooperation to increase opportunities to benefit from IPA funds.

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