Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the progress in decentralization reforms in Albania. An in depth study of the local government units (LGUs) has been complemented by an analysis of the regional councils (Qarks) as a second tier government structures. In contrast to generally strong support of the domestic political elites for the local government reform, there was much less enthusiasm for the regional level governance which has received strong backing by the international donors. This chapter makes the argument that the two are inter-linked and that because of the particular organization of the policy process, the resulting institutional framework suffers from many weaknesses which affect how sub-national governance works in Albania. The analysis highlights the existing gaps in the Albanian decentralization policies and its outcomes, and concludes by suggesting potential approaches and interventions that would improve policy making at the local and regional level.
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Notes
- 1.
- 2.
The METE led on the regional development agenda, roughly until 2009 and the Ministry of Interior led on decentralisation.
- 3.
As evidenced in the Albanian 2012 Progress Report, the progress of the reforms concerned with regional development is very limited. The draft National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2013–2020 includes a range of policies pertaining to regional development, but the overall institutional framework still lags far behind the EU standards.
- 4.
Interviews with four regional councils’ (Qarks) leaders and representatives were conducted in order to understand better their perspective as well their involvement in the process.
- 5.
FYR Macedonia is a Balkan country at a similar level of development and similar position in the EU accession process making it an interesting case to observe if not follow.
- 6.
Note that it is not the only driver. Discussion with the leaders of four Qarks and with regional council staff provided insights into and hints about the Albanian mentality which further informed our own views.
- 7.
The 2nd tier of governance in Albania consists of 12 regional councils. The Qarks studied in this chapter were chosen based on several criteria. Tirana is the biggest and represents the economically richest region of Albania which is simultaneously the weakest in its commitment to pursuit of decentralization. Shkodra and Kukes are the economically poorest Qarks, and Lezha has had considerable involvement of different donors to assist its decentralization and regional development (UNDP, Austrian Development Cooperation/Swiss Development Cooperation -ADA/SDC).
- 8.
The Regional Development Program (RDP) has been in place since February 2011 and runs till December 2014. One of its main expected results is development of a regional development agenda for Albania.
- 9.
Law No. 7608 Date 22-09-1992 http://qpz.gov.al/doc.jsp?doc=docs/Ligj%20Nr%207608%20Dat%C3%AB%2022-09-1992.htm
- 10.
Law No. 8652 on “The organization and functioning of local government” provides for the decentralization of functions from central to local government and other legal documents allow support for the transfer of authority and responsibility, the design of methodologies, guidelines, and increased management capacity of the local elected bodies in the areas of infrastructure and public services, social, cultural and sports services, local economic development, and order and civil protection.
- 11.
Municipalities are entities covering a single urban area; communes are constellations of rural villages, mostly with small numbers of inhabitants ranging from 2,500 to 25,000.
- 12.
Qark is the Albanian acronym for the region.
- 13.
The 12 principles of good democratic governance at local level are defined in the EU Strategy for Innovation and Good Governance at Local Level available at: http://www.coe.int/t/dgap/localdemocracy/strategy_innovation/strategy_brochure_e.pdf
- 14.
As reported by the leader of Shkodra Qark, Mr. M. Cungu, the annual budget is approximately €640,000 99 % of which consists of is unconditional grant from central government.
- 15.
- 16.
This is the fate of almost every single strategy in Albania; the policy strategies frequently lack financial bills to implement them.
- 17.
IDM and Co-Plan are two think-tanks that contributed to this agenda and identified various ambiguities and shortcomings in the existing strategy during several round tables organized by these NGOs.
- 18.
The program was named “Integrated Support for Decentralization – a Regional Development Program”.
- 19.
Opening speech of the Regional Development Program kick off meeting in 2011.
- 20.
National Strategy for Development and Integration, Albanian Government available at http://dsdc.gov.al/dsdc/National_Strategy_for_Development_and_Integration_7_2.php
- 21.
INSTAT Albanian poverty trend 2005–2008.
- 22.
INSTAT Business registration Survey 2012.
- 23.
Regulation (EC) no. 1059/2003 of the European parliament and of the council on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS).
- 24.
Once Albania becomes an EU candidate country, the statistical regions’ classification will have to be negotiated. which may require abrogation of the above-mentioned decision.
- 25.
Interview with the president of Shkodër Qark, November 2012.
- 26.
Mostly the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Investment Bank.
- 27.
Interview with Mr. M. Cungu, November, 2012.
- 28.
As highlighted by the Institutional and Capacity Assessment to implement the Regional Development Program in Northern Albania, www.rdpnorthernalbania.org. The competitive grant scheme was replaced by the regional development fund in 2009 with the idea of boosting regionalization, but without clearly defined criteria. The purpose of the regional development fund is financing of capital investment in local roads, water and sewerage systems, health and education facilities, culture structures, local food markets, drainage and irrigation, and forestry. The system that administers this fund for regional development is quite complex and several bodies are involved in the allocation, distribution and implementation. The final approval of the projects to be funded through regional development fund, is made by the Committee for the Development of the Regions, whose work is facilitated by the General Technical Secretariat (DSDC – Department for Strategies and Donors Coordination), within the Prime Minister’s Cabinet.
- 29.
Albanian Regional Development: Opportunities and Challenges, UNDP Mission Report September 2005.
- 30.
Law 8652 (31.7.2000) on “Organization and Functioning of the Local Government”.
- 31.
Albanian Regional Development: Opportunities and Challenges, UNDP Mission Report September 2005.
- 32.
- 33.
EU regional policy principles http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/how/principles/index_en.cfm
- 34.
EU Regional Policy 2007–2013, Working for the regions, http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy
- 35.
Qarks located in the northern part of Albania are considered the poorest and include Kukes and Shkodra. For this reason ADA/SDC decided to fund the regional development program for Shkodra and Lezha Qarks.
- 36.
The Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993.
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Manxhari, M. (2015). Local Governance and Regional Development in Albania. In: Thomas, M., Bojicic-Dzelilovic, V. (eds) Public Policy Making in the Western Balkans. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9346-9_10
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