IP3 organized consultative meetings with various interest groups and civil society on the socio-economic impact of the Administrative Territorial Reform.

The purpose of these meetings was to consult the variants proposed by the special parliamentary committee in order to get the opinions and suggestions for the new territorial division.

During the meetings there was a high level of participation and active discussions on the need for undertaking the reform and its implementation. Generally the participants expressed their support. It was stressed out that the Administrative and Territorial Reform should be followed by a decentralization reform that will increase the authority and responsibility of local elected officials over a larger administrative territory as well as increase the potential for economic development.

It was estimated that this reform will enable the creation of better local administrations, which will respond to the needs of the citizens, as well as the challenges posed by the development of the country.

The consultative meetings were held in each of the municipalities of Shkodra, Kukës, and Lezha Qarks adn were organized with the support of UNDP.