IP3 has been engaged throughout the process of analyzing and drafting decentralization reform by providing technical assistance to Albanian Government.

IP3 experts together with the Council of Europe expert, Mr. Robert Hertzog and the UNDP expert, Mrs. Jana Trost held a seminar with representatives of central and local government on decentralization, implementation of the Territorial Reform and preparation of local governments in the application and benefit of European Union projects. Strengthening the interaction among all stakeholders and promoting a common understanding of concepts such as harmonization, decentralization and local governance between representatives of the Albanian government and development partners were at the center of the discussion. Recommendations on the above areas were provided to stakeholders and interest groups at central and local level.

Also IP3 has been part of the discussions for drafting the new Law on Local Governance, together with representatives of USAID, representatives of central government and mayors. During the various discussions, the need for drafting a new law on local government has been expressed as a necessity for the implementation of the Administrative Territorial Reform and as an increased expectation of citizens towards local government.

IP3 with the support of DLDP has conducted a deep analysis for monitoring new functions allocated to local government. The monitoring process of devolved functions was realized through detailed questionnaires and structured interviews with the line ministries to get a detailed analysis of financial resources, organizational structure, human resources and the way of delivering the service before and after the devolution of the functions. The results and some recommendations were provided to national level. The monitoring process is very important to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of new services.

Also IP3 participated in the National Conference "Decentralization and Local Autonomy" for monitoring the Decentralization Strategy. This strategy has clearly defined the objectives and measures to be undertaken with the implementation of the Administrative Territorial Reform. The main goal is to create opportunities for local governments to have more financial resources in order to perform their functions efficiently and to improve the simplicity, sustainability and equity of the transfer system together with increased transparency.

IP3 with the support of the PLGP/USAID, provided intensive technical support to successfully implement One Stop Shop for local administrative services.

The USAID Local Planning and Local Government Project (PLGP), in cooperation with the Institute of Public and Private Policies (IP3), has assisted the Municipality of Korca, Berat and Fier in the implementation of One Stop Shop Center and drafting the Manual of Administrative Procedure in each municipality and their administrative units. All three manuals resulted a success model by helping municipalities to deliver efficient services of the same quality and standard across the entire territory of the new Municipality.

After the implementation of Administrative and Territorial Reform, municipalities in Albania are expanded significantly not only in geographic size, but also in population and complexity of municipal operation. The new municipalities face many challenges, but the main challenge is the delivery of services effectively and efficiently in urban and rural areas. The new municipalities would like to make it possible for every citizen to access services with the same quality despite the distance from the municipality.

They consider high quality service delivery to the citizens as one of their first and foremost tasks. An effective way to fulfill this task is the establishment of a One Stop Shop Center for local public services for the entire municipality, including rural and urban areas. 

One Stop Shop Center serves not only to the citizens but also to municipal staff to facilitate their procedures, to monitor their daily work and to measure their performance.

Results of One Stop Shop:

The key to efficient functioning of the administration and One Stop Shop Center is the Manual of Administrative Procedures which describes in detail every administrative service and the entire process of work that is being pursued for these services.

Manual is an important instrument that serves not only to the citizens and businesses to access all the information necessary for each administrative service, but also to municipal staff in facilitating administrative procedures and performing their daily work. All three manuals resulted in a success model by assisting municipalities in providing efficient services and with the same quality and standard across the entire territory of the new Municipality following the implementation of the Administrative Territorial Reform.

As part of the experience gained in working with these 3 municipalities, IP3 also with the support of the USAID Local Planning and Local Government Project (PLGP) has prepared a handbook to provide some guidance to all the municipalities of Albania in drafting a Manual of Administrative Procedures and basic principles of one-stop-shop implementation. This guide will serve as a comprehensive guide and a reference for all municipalities, helping them in delivering better services, unifying them, improving daily work and increasing local capacity.

This guide is the first of its kind in Albania and offers a new vision of service delivery. The experiences, practices and models outlined in the guide can serve as a good reference for designing a manual model of procedures and can serve to create a new culture of work in local government by increasing its capacities.

IP3 has provided technical assistance to Municipality of Shijak and Tropoje in the elaboration of Fiscal package, Annual budget and Medium Term Budget Program.

Institute of Public and Private Policies (IP3) supported by the Decentralization and Local Development Programme (DLDP) worked on two project “Support to Municipalities for the Elaboration of Fiscal Package, Annual Budget and MTBP (Medium Term Budget Program)”, in the Municipality of Tropoja and in the Municipality of Shijak.

Our objectives are based on increasing their capacities in strategic planning and budgeting, specifically the drafting of the Fiscal Package, Annual Budget and Medium Term Budget Program by offering our expertise in the preparation of these important strategic documents of local development.

Our methodology of implementation is a combined methodology which consist in a top-down and bottom-up process and also field work and office work certainly in full compliance with the legal budgeting requirements of Albania.