General Information

The ART Programme in Albania is part of UNDP’s ART Global Initiative, which intends to promote governance and local development cooperation framework programmes among decentralised government authorities. The Programme ended its first implementation phase in 2008 where it had been put in place in the three Albanian regions of Vlore, Durres and Shkoder as the continuity of the IFAD/UNOPS PASARP scheme (Programme of Assistance to Support Albanian Regions and Prefectures) that was operational from 1999 to 2006. In 2009, a Framework Programme was developed and signed for a second implementation phase (2009-2010) mainly in the regions of Vlore and Shkoder.

During its first implementation phase, the ART Programme in Albania encouraged local development in the three regions by providing a decentralised cooperation framework through which bilateral donors, European regional and local governments, associations, universities, private sector organisations and firms, citizens’ groups and others were enabled to contribute and support Albanian local governments. Such framework contributed to the following main results:

The Programme’s second phase, in line with the first one, intends to support the Albanian Government in implementing its national policies and strategies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. This to be accomplished by promoting a territorial development approach at the regional and municipal administrative level, and in accordance with the Decentralisation and Local Governance Strategy of the Ministry of Interior and the Regional Development Cross-Cutting Strategy of the Ministry of Economy and Trade. The Programme is intended to build upon past results and ensure continuity in the course of a smooth transition, thereby what is presented here, in a consolidated format, are past achievements and current planned activities.

At the regional level, the programme supports the elaboration of Regional Strategic Plans, promoting the active role of public and private social actors in development processes as well as that of donors, including European regions and local communities. In addition, the Programme actively endorses, at central and local levels, other sectoral national development policies and strategies, in particular those related to health, education and environment. To achieve these goals, the Programme encourages the participation of different local, national and international actors, creating and supporting innovative partnerships within a global system of cooperation.

Programme at a Glance

Decentralisation and democratic governance

► Coordination meetings were held in order to operationalise and strengthen the Inter-Ministerial Working Group (MWG) established in the first phase of the Programme, led by the Ministry of Economy and integrated by the Ministries of Interior, Education, Health and Environment.► Continuous technical assistance was provided to the Government in support of the political and administrative decentralisation process, in dialogue with EU structures.

► Support for the design of Albanian decentralisation structures was provided through meetings, workshops and the Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs), in particular in Shkoder and Vlore, where LEDAs are fully operational.

► The expansion of the mandate and scope of activities of the LEDAs towards their consolidation as Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) has been continuously supported (to be finalised by the end of 2010), covering all regional development priorities and reflecting national and regional government’s strategies, main concerns and commitments.

► County Development Councils (CDCs), chaired by the local authorities and integrated by representatives from the public, civil society and private sectors, are currently being established in both regions.

► The Shkoder (TEULEDA) and Vlore (AULEDA) LEDAs, in continuous consultation with private, government and non-government entities, have provided continuous support for the elaboration of the regional strategic development plans. First drafts are ready and initiatives for the mobilisation of international funds have been initiated. Local government authorities and stakeholders from both regions have confirmed their commitment to the implementation of the strategic development plans under the leadership of the Programme and through the LEDAs.

►Two projects, within the jointly identified priorities of the strategic plans, were identified in Vlore and Shkoder and started to be implemented in the course of 2009.

► Territorial guidelines for the international cooperation documents (intended for the mobilisation of decentralised cooperation actors, mainly from Italy) were drafted following a participatory process, mapping the territorial potentials, priority value chains and provision of services, etc. in both regions. In line with the development plans, other strategic documents were also elaborated such as the stakeholder maps, project ideas and concept notes, etc.

Implementation of Cooperation Agreements

► Partnerships between Albanian and Italian stakeholders were continuously promoted, especially with the participation of the Programme in several meetings and events organised by the Italian Embassy in Tirana and the Italian Cooperation. Specific cooperation agreements and joint activities were consolidated and implemented with the Regions of Marche, Molise, Puglia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardinia and Emilia Romagna.

► Specific agreements were also concretised with the University of Perugia and the Universities of Ancona and Trieste for the organisation of several intensive courses on democratic governance, decentralisation, territorial development planning and management, etc.

► Collaboration was reinforced with several UN Agencies such as the UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and ILO, as well as with international cooperation agencies such as the GTZ, SIDA, SNV and the Italian and Swiss Cooperation.

► An event was organised in the country on "Human Development and Decentralised Cooperation: Albania's experience".

► In collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Tirana, an international event is being organised (to be held in October 2010) for the presentation and promotion of the Programme achievements and potential to Balkan and Italian partners.

► With Programme support, a delegation of Albanian local specialists from different development related fields visited Italy and Spain to promote the establishment of cooperation agreements as basis for the implementation of specific agreements and larger scale activities in 2010. The delegation also participated in several conferences and workshops on health, higher education and the strategic development of local agencies.

Promotion and Exchange of Innovations

►The innovative Mother Kangaroo Technique for underweight newborn babies, previously implemented by the Department of Paediatrics of the Tirana Hospital, was replicated in the Shkoder regional hospital with the support of Florence’s Meyer Hospital, the Region of Tuscany, 3 health specialists from Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and the ART Programme in Sri Lanka.

► Mental health related innovative practices, especially the establishment of family homes for former hospitalised patients and their inclusion into social activities, developed in collaboration with the Psychiatric Hospital of Vlore, WHO Albania, and the Puglia and Friuli Venezia Giulia Regions, continued to be promoted and were recognised and accepted at both local and national levels. The Programme is currently coordinating the expansion of this initiative to other areas with the support of the Sardinia, Molise and Reggio Emilia Regions.

►Technical assistance was provided to the Ministry of Environment on strategies for the eco-treatment of water with the support of the Tuscany Region and the Environmental Protection Agency of Tuscany (ARPAT). This resulted in the consideration by the Albanian Council of Ministers for small and medium-sized local communities of the ecological water phyto-purification methodology as a strategic priority.

► Continuous activities for the promotion of sustainable tourism were carried out in Shkoder and Vlore, in collaboration with the Marche Region, Federparchi, the Italian Parks Company Consortium, TEULEDA, AULEDA and other local and national stakeholders within the framework of the strategic plans. Both LEDAs were assisted and consolidated though actions implemented by the Programme and are currently playing a substantial role in coordinating sustainable tourism activities.

► The innovative Methodology of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Package on olive, developed by the Albanian Ministry of Agriculture’s Plant Protection Institute was recognised as a safe and efficient olive pest control practice, which was followed by the treatment of 109,000 olive trees in 2009, the preparation of a specific brochure on the innovation later promoted on IDEASS’ website and activities for its replication in Morocco were organised in collaboration with the IPM, the University of Agadir and the ART Programme in Morocco.

► Cultural-Musical initiatives were organised in order to enhance culture in Shkoder and Vlore Regions in the framework of cooperation agreements established with the Regions of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine and Trieste, the Municipality of Medea, the Central Europe Initiative CEI, the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the National Italian Committee for Music CIDIM (Member of CIM-Conseil International de la Musique of Unesco), the Gorica’s "Cassa di risparmio” Foundation, the University of Udine, Udine’s Jacopo Tomandini Music Conservatory and Monfalcone’s “Antonio Vivaldi” Music Institute. An example of such initiatives was the implementation of the “Nei suoni dei Luoghi” project along with the Music Project Association of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

Sustainable Social- Economic Development

► The Local Economic Development Agencies of Shkoder (TEULEDA) and Vlore (AULEDA) were continuously supported and strengthened to provide technical assistance on fundraising and finance management to local socio-economic development stakeholders.

► Technical assistance was provided to the TEULEDA for the implementation of a joint project between the Molise and Shkoder Regions for the establishment of a laboratory for the analysis of milk, olive oil and wine production, according to European standards; the creation of a tourism information and promotion centre for the Shkoder lake and elaboration of a tourist guidebook of the area; the organisation of a course on territorial planning attended by 21 local representatives from 6 Balkan countries, the Albanian LEDAs; etc.

► Constant international technical assistance was provided to TEULEDA and AULEDA so that by the end of 2010 they can become Regional Agencies of Integrated Development.

► International technical assistance was also provided to both LEDAs for their participation in 11 cross-border cooperation projects in the Adriatic area funded by Interreg IIIA Italy-Albania, the design and implementation of two Regional Strategic Plans and the elaboration of preliminary studies and research on priority development projects and local production value chains.

Capacity Development

Several capacity development initiatives were organised together with the Ministry of Education, several Albanian Universities, local stakeholders as well as international partners:

► An intensive course on “Democratic Governance of Development”, which included guided visits to the regional governance structures and exchange of experiences, was held and funded by the Marche Region.

► An intensive national course in Tirana on “Democratic Development, and Territorial Development Programming”.

► An intensive course on “Territorial Development Planning and Management in Rural Areas” in Umbria, organised in collaboration with the University of Perugia and co-funded by the Region of Umbria.

► Three interactive high level workshops on development frameworks intended to researchers and lecturers from several Albanian universities were organised together with the Universities of Ancona and Trieste.

► Contacts were established with the Albanian Ministry of Education in order establish the Albanian branch of the International School for Human Development and preliminary agreements were defined with the Deputy Minister. Three representatives from the Albanian Ministry of Education participated in the workshop held at the University of Camerino in November 2009, aimed at defining the modality and curricula for the International School for Human Development and a draft agreement with the Perugia University was finalised for signature in June 2010.

The Porgramme's Challenges for 2010

During 2010, the Programme in Albania will complete the on the job training of the Albanian LEDAs concerning the Strategic Planning process and finalize 2 Regional Strategic Plans.4 Strategic Projects will be identified and financed, in collaboration with the Italian Decentralized Cooperation. 2 Regional Laboratories for training in Human Development set up in Vlora and Shkodra, in collaboration with Albanian and international universities.

Ms. Gulden Turkoz-Cosselett, UNDP Resident Representative, UN Resident Coordinator gulden.turkoz-cosslett@undp.org

Mr. Norimasa Shimomura, UNDP Albania Country Office Director:  norimasa.shimomura@undp.org

Mr. Luigi Cafiero, Chief Technical Avisor ART Programme Albania: luigi.cafiero@undp.org