OSCE Presence in Albania

In co-operation with the Government, the Economic and Environmental Unit assists with good governance aspects of social and economic reforms. It promotes the integration of local stakeholders into social and economic development and supports government initiatives that tackle the root causes of corruption, money laundering, trafficking and illegal migration. 

The Unit also supports small- and medium-sized enterprises and human capital development, with a focus on marginalized young people and women.

Working with the central and local governments and other international and local organizations, the Presence helps raise awareness among citizens and government institutions of the need for participative approaches to environmental protection planning. Together with local partners that promote transparency, public participation and institutional capacity-building, the Presence initiates and manages projects specifically targeting local government and civil society.

The Presence also provides expertise for the national territorial reform and decentralization process. It supports the Government's National Work Programme for Better Local Government and decentralization action plans by promoting aspects of good governance, including transparency, inclusiveness and service delivery, at each level of administration.

The Unit co-operates and co-ordinates efforts with the Council of Europe to assist in the implementation of priorities and strategies developed by the Government's Group of Experts on Decentralization. To enhance their ability to deliver decentralized services, the Unit works with regional and local governments to build their capacities.