Swiss Government officials visit Lezha region during a high-level mission in Albania

During their field mission in Albania, the Head of Cooperation with Eastern Europe, Elisabeth von Cappeler and the Head of Western Balkan Division, Georgette Bruchez, both from Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, made a stop in Lezha, to see the progress made by Swiss programmes in support of local development and decentralisation. They also visited the commune of Kallmet, where they saw the One-Stop-Shop established two weeks ago and later went on to the commune of Ungrej. The Swiss officials met with mayor of Lezha, Viktor Tusha, the head of Kallmet commune, PetritMarku, and the head of Ungrej commune.They discussed the situation and challenges faced by local government in this region of Albania, and how Swiss support can be better utilised for local development. The Territorial and Administrative Reform – supported extensively by Switzerland – was one of the main topics of discussion along decentralisation.

Since two weeks Lezha municipality has a new One-Stop-Shop established by the Swiss programme Dldp. The centre with new facilities and services were inaugurated on May 16th and connects Lezha municipality with Kallmet commune. Therefore the Swiss visitors continued their visit in Kallmet where they saw the premises where new integrated services allow citizens to apply online and receive their results without having to travel to Lezha. Requests made in Kallmet are now processed and approved in Lezha municipality. In the new configuration of territories Kallmet will be part of the larger Lezha municipality and therefore integrated services such as this will allow citizens to cut costs, time and efforts, and receive better services. 

Dldp has introduced several cases of improved services for local government such as information and communication, waste management, public finance management, and e-governance. With a particular focus on digitalisation, the programme started with building websites for municipalities and communes, and is now introducing more interactive services whereby citizens can apply and interact online with local government units. It has aimed to modernise local government functioning and create best examples that can be replicated in other regions of Albania.