SYNTHESIS OF 15-23 MARCH PERIOD Democratic Governance: The decision-making function was not interrupted during the Transparency and Accountability: Municipalities have acted using various means of emergency situation. The municipal councils had space for legal action, where the council's communication, such as FACEBOOK to disseminate safety advisory videos (social rules of procedure were adopted, even before the promulgation of the Normative Act dated distance, movement restriction, hygiene) or WHATSAPP to call volunteers in the field. Telephone numbers of municipal departments are displayed to address complaints or 03/15/2020. Remote voting by electronic means is widely implemented. 29 Municipal requests remotely. Frequent reports published on the websites (Shkoder- daily report) or Councils have made decisions this way since March 15th. Technological knowledge FACEBOOK posts on actions taken in the field and information about implementing the limitations were identified and intensive training was needed. In municipalities such as rules. In there is an innovative service delivery where kindergarten teachers educate Gramsh or , the exercise of the oversight function was also noticed (municipal preschool children through local TV. councilors are monitoring the work of field assistance groups). Performance of Local Functions: Municipalities have oriented their activity towards the basic priorities in this period, where special attention is paid to the economic aid of groups in National-Regional- Local Cooperation: Municipalities were willing to cooperate with need. To accomplish this, the use of emergency funds been applied in the function of the central institutions to meet needs. The municipal police and municipal staff established program which provides for activities in support of the pandemic. Mostly reallocation has occurred to: social care for families and children; street cleaning and waste management; fire groups that assisted with the implementation of safety rules (movement restrictions, social protection and rescue. Local businesses have also come to the aid of municipalities that have distance keeping) and the distribution of packages. The establishment of volunteer groups provided assistance in the form of food products or different types of products (in Cerrik, the was slow in the early days but increased mobilization was noticed. Volunteer groups mostly apparel and footwear manufacturing company produces masks). Disinfection has witnessed assist in counseling and communication or distribution of food or medicine to the elderly or the expansion of this activity also in rural areas and joint apartment buildings () where people with disabilities. In some cases we also have a dedicated Green Line (, Tirana, administrators have played a coordinating role. Durres). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION COMMUNICATE WITH THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR: Click here DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE

Problem Solution Where has it been successful?

Decision-making Insufficient knowledge of municipal  Use of electronic communication means/tools (Skype, e-mail, Shkodër, Malësi e Madhe, Vau i Dejes, Puke, Fushe Arrez, councilors on the use of electronic WhatsApp) and support for platform use. • 16 Municipal Councils Tiranë, Rrogozhinë, , , Lezhe, Vlore, means & disability to hold council assisted by Bashki të Forta for opening Skype accounts and , Korca, Kolonje, , , , Lushnje, Polican, meetings under "social distance" training in technology before starting online communication via Cerrik, Kucove, Tepelena, Kelcyra, Vorë, , & Mallakastër conditions Skype. These tips refer to instructions on the procedures on , Rokovec Kukës Kurbin Delvinë, Gramsh , Berat , holding council meetings remotely by use of technology”. Skrapar, Ure Vajgurore, Krujë , Libohova , Gjirokastra (40 in total) (offered by Bashki të Forta)

Oversight Monitoring patronage groups in the field  The municipal council has appointed councilors who report to the Kukës, Shijak, Shkodër, Gramsh, Tropojë on delivered services emergency committee  Councilors oversee patronage groups for lonely retirees and Këlcyrë, Libohovë, Patos, Lushnje, Shijak people with diabilities.

Other actions

 The same facilitated procedures, in electronic format, also apply Tirana, Shkodër, Malësi e madhe, Puke, Fushë Arrëz & Delvinë, Limiting council meetings only to Patos, Lushnje, Mallakastër, Maliq, , Kukës, Tropojë, to routine decisions, such as approval of regulations or waste emergency aspects Delvine, Librazhd, Cerrik, Peqin, Kruje (9 municipalities have management plans (supported by Bashki të Forta) approved council regulations or waste management plans)

Establishing volunteer / patronage Kukës, Berat groups to assist families in need  Councilors donate assistance and food to families in need Lezhë, Gjirokaster, , , Tepelene, Libohove,  Councilors are involved in patronage groups as volunteers Permet, Këlcyrë, Shijak NATIONAL-REGIONAL-LOCAL COOPERATION

Problem Solution modalities Where has it been successful?

Citizens' access to reimbursable  Establishing a triage (family doctor, departments and pharmacy) Vlorë and Compulsory Health Care Department medicine service and generating real-time prescription drugs. In time of work overload, medicine delivery service is provided by the municipal police. , Dropull,Tepelenë, Libohovë, Gjirokastër, Memaliaj, Ura  Collaboration scheme with health center and ambulances for Vajgurore distribution of medicines at patients’ homes.

Providing food distribution assistance to  Distribution of food packages from state reserves in Kurbin, Lezhë groups in need or the elderly collaboration, (Ministry of Defense, Prefectures and Municipality)

 The prefecture staff has collected donations that it will hand over Lezhë to the municipality to provide food assistance to residents in need. Kukes  Local Committee for Provision of Assistance in the Region is established Kukes  Prefect issues the guideline for organizing online meetings Nr.46, dated 25.03.2020 (referring to instruction by Bashki te Forta)

Implementation of self-quarantining  The entire territory of the Region is being controlled and Shkoder, Pukë, Malësi e Madhe, Fushë Arrez, Vau i Dejes, Berat rules to limit distribution monitored by LPD structures with those of the Army, RIF, Municipal Police and inspectorates are being controlled and monitored by correctly applying the self-quarantine rules Shkoder, Puke, Malesi e Madhe, Fushe Arrez, Vau i Dejes,  The Albanian Post branch in cooperation with the municipalities Divjake has continued to distribute pension payments to each retiree at home TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Problem Solution modalities Where has it been successful?

Breaking the “social distance” rule in  Cooperation with food trading units to estimate the number of Korcë service units people who can buy at the same time, (observing the safety rules). Displaying the number of customers allowed to stay in the store at the same time. (With the assistance of Municipal Police)

Oversight of situation by Council  The municipal council has appointed two councilors for each Kukës members for each administrative Unit administrative unit who report to the Emergency Committee

 Use of local media space to inform and transfer of complaints Kukes, Berat desk online (e-mail)

Insufficient awareness of citizens about  Awareness raising video by the Mayor and Councilors of Shijak Shijak the COVID 19 situation Municipal Council

Public information about the work and  Work reports performed by all municipal structures are Puke, Malesi e Madhe, Fushe Arrez, Vau i Dejes measures taken at municipality level published on Facebook FUNCTIONALITY OF LOCAL SERVICES

Problem Solution modalities Where has it been successful?

Social Services

Insufficient funds to cope with COVID  Funds approved for the food supply of kindergartens and Vlorë, emergency with allocated financial crèches will be used to help 1500 families in need. resources in annual budgets (in support of groups in need)

 Supporting families in need or families affected by the Lezhë, Berat, Lushnje, Pogradec earthquake, with necessary food and materials provided by Kukës, Lezhë, Shkodër, Pukë, Malësi e Madhe, Fushë Arrës, municipal funds and private or religious donations (Help for Pogradec, Kukës, Mat, Dibër, Bulqizë, Klos, Fier, Krujë, Children Foundation, Red Cross, Uji i Ftohte (Cold Water), Pogradec, Kurbin, Nehemia Gateway, CFN .)

 The fund designated for socio-cultural activities will go to Kukës families in need.

Economic Development Fier Conditions to facilitate local production  Small mobile famer’s market in city neighborhoods (traders Facilitating transport for farmers (small equipped with protective gear). business) Maliq, Mat  Support to the agricultural sector (the need to promote the domestic product in conditions of difficulties with imports) Public Safety  Assistance to farmers applying for a valid travel permit for Roskovec, Memaliaj, Vlora, Kukësi livestock food transport. The experts of Agriculture Department assist farmers in implementing the procedures Disinfection of common areas and public spaces  Disinfection of public spaces, extended in rural areas as well. In Tiranë, Fier, Gjirokastër urban areas interaction with administrators for disinfection within the buildings. Performance of functional duties even in time of emergency  Identification and reporting of damages caused by the November Lezhë earthquake by municipal engineer teams continues. Need for special protective equipment  Ardian Skendaj, Municipal Councilor, Vlore, simultaneously the Vlorë for medical staff, nurses and municipal manager and owner of K.A Trading company has donated a staff. considerable amount of protection equipment to frontline medical and nursing staff at the Regional Hospital and municipal services staff. Need for additional disinfection vehicles  Farmers make their own spraying tractors available for Maliq disinfection (free of charge). Using public transport for key people  Urban line buses used only for medical staff being disinfected Tiranë, Kamëz daily. The municipal police assist in the use of the service only by authorized persons. Public Services  The cleaning company in the municipality of Vlora have at their Vlorë initiative, a goodwill gesture, started using extra detergents and disinfectants or suchlike preparations for the street washing machines to disinfect roads, but also special preparations for disinfection by means of pumps suitable for waste containers. All expenses, for this activity are covered by this company without modification of the contract or reallocation of funds from Vlora municipality. Recreational Activities Lezhë  Recreational activities for children (various competitions)