OSCE Presence in Albania

The Presence supports the Albanian authorities in modernizing the country's address and civil registration systems. The Presence is implementing a 2.5 million euro technical assistance project with funds from the European Union, the OSCE and the United States Government. The Project started in February 2007 and will continue until October 2009. It is being implemented in co-operation with the Council of Europe and Statistics Norway.

The Project focuses on three main support areas: creation of a functioning address system, modernization of the civil registration system and the creation of the personal data protection framework. In order to achieve these goals, the Presence:

• Assists with the review and drafting of the necessary legislation;
• Assists with the computerization of the existing hand-written fundamental civil register records;
• Helps to prepare manuals and procedures to sustain the modernized address and civil registration systems;
• Provides training and capacity building for existing and new governmental structures;
• Assists in creating a personal data protection framework, including a robust Personal Data Protection Authority for Albania;
• Implements public awareness campaigns on the modernization effort and its benefits for citizens.

The main beneficiary of the technical assistance on address and civil registration is the Ministry of Interior. On data protection, the main beneficiary is the Ministry of Justice. Albanian citizens will benefit from a modern address and civil registration system by having access to more efficient public services and having additional safeguards about their personal data.