Advancing Local Governance and Civic Engagement through Institutional Reform in Albania - ALGORA

Back Training Workshop on Civil Participation in Local Decision-Making

Arta MENGA

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Training Workshop on Civil Participation in Local Decision-Making

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe convened 24 representatives from Albanian local authorities and civil society for an interactive workshop aimed at strengthening civil participation in local decision-making.

As the Council of Europe works towards a New Democratic Pact for Europe where democracy works better, extends further and includes everyone, the workshop provided a forum to exchange ideas on strengthening participation, dialogue and innovative democratic practices. Particular emphasis was placed on deliberative approaches at local level in Albania. Through hands-on group work, peer exchanges and discussions, participants explored ways to make citizen engagement more meaningful, inclusive and conducive trust-building at local level.

Grounded in Council of Europe standards and recommendations, and inspired by regional experiences from South-East Europe, the discussions highlighted the crucial role municipalities play as the sphere of governance closest to citizens where trust in institutions is built every day.

Tirana / Albania 16 December 2025

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The ALGORA project aims to support implementation of public administration reform and further the decentralisation process in the context of Albania’s EU accession process. Implemented by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the project strengthens multilevel governance, human resource management systems, and citizen participation at local level and will run from July 2025 to December 2027.

What is the goal(s) and objective(s) of the project?

The overall goal of the project is to strengthen Albania’s public administration reform by enhancing multilevel governance, strengthening institutional capacities, and promoting participatory governance practices at local level, in line with European standards.

The objectives of the projects are to:

improve human resource management systems at central and local levels and enhance institutional capacities of municipalities to implement public administration reforms effectively;
support participatory and deliberative democratic practices at local level that strengthen accountability, transparency and trust between local authorities and citizens.

Who benefits from the project?

Direct beneficiaries include:
- Albanian municipalities,
- the Department of Public Administration (DoPA),
- the Albanian School of Public Administration (ASPA),
- central institutions responsible for public administration and local government.
Final beneficiaries are Albanian citizens

How does the project work?

The project works simultaneously with central institutions and local authorities. It delivers policy support and digital tools to strengthen human resource management systems and develop capacities in response to a digitalised Training Needs Assessment of local staff.

At local level, the project delivers tailored assistance to develop capacities, strengthen institutional structures, and promote peer learning among municpalities. Local authorities will be supported in engaging citizens through participatory and deliberative tools to strengthen democracy and reinforce governance practices, including through self-assessment processes linked to the European Label of Governance Excellence (ELoGE).

What do we expect to achieve?

Advanced human resource management practices across central and local administrations;
Increased professional capacities of municipal staff and elected representatives, and strengthened digital governance tools;
Enhanced accountability and responsiveness of pilot municipalities applying citizen participation and deliberative democracy models;
Increased trust of citizens in local public institutions and more inclusive, effective and resilient local governance.

What is the budget of the project?

The total budget of the project is EUR 800,000 and will be implemented until 31 December 2027.
It is funded by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)