Launched in December 2022, the project Sustaining Public Administration Reform at Local Level in Albania, implemented by the Council of Europe and funded by the German government, officially concluded on 30 June 2025.

It worked closely with key partners including the Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption, Minister of State for Local Government, Department of Public Administration, Albanian School of Public Administration, the Agency for Support of Local Self Government, the Commissioner for the Oversight of the Civil Service, and Local Government Units, helping to align and harmonise practices, standards and tools between the central and local level.

At the final Steering Committee meeting held in Tirana in June, the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana, Giulia Re, and Minister of State Adea Pirdeni underlined the importance of building on the results achieved throughout the project and ensuring that progress is gradually embedded into institutional practices to support long-term, meaningful reform.

Project Highlights included:

• Leadership Academy Programme: Trained over 60 mayors, deputy mayors, and senior municipal officials in leadership and governance through 12 regional sessions.
• Digital Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Tool: Piloted with 13 municipalities to identify training needs based on real functions and performance.
• Support to ASPA’s Learning Management System: Improved access to e-learning opportunities for public officials.
• Human Resources Management Information Systems (HRMIS) and Collaboration Platform Support: Through coaching, helpdesks, workshops and on the job support on HRMIS laying the groundwork for a reliable inventory of local public servants.
• Public Administration Week 2024: Showcased reforms and created a dialogue platform with the public.
• Assessment of Citizen Participation Tools: Set a baseline for future support tailored to the municipalities.

The Council of Europe remains committed to supporting Albania on its path towards good governance and European standards.