Albania

Local Democracy Agencies and country strategies
Albania, candidate country

Local Democracy Agency Albania established in 2008, has positioned itself as partnership based and project oriented local CSO, and actively engaged in ALDA initiated actions within Europe for Citizens Programme, Youth in Action and EVS programmes. LDA Albania was the host to several international conferences organized by ALDA and LDA partners, among which the most important was the 2009 conference on decentralization and local governance in Southeast Europe and southern Caucasus. Close co-operation was established with the Swiss Co-operation Fund for implementing the RAMSAR project. The Delegate of LDA Albania has a long standing experience in local public administration while the staffing and organizational development should be receiving more attention in future ALDA technical support and training activities.

Albania submitted its formal application for EU membership in 2009, whereas in 2012 the EC recommended the country for the candidate status only after completion of key measures in judicial and public administration reform. ALDA has good working relation with both the host city and regional Shkodra authorities and with other government institutions. Co-operation was established with large CSOs and country based networks, including Partners Albania. More incentives for co-operation should be made towards TACSO country based office, EU Delegation, UNDP office with specific regard to the recently signed co-operation agreement between ALDA and UNDP.