Achievements in Policy Influence and Knowledge management
The Decentralisation and Local Development Program (dldp) closed 2014 –the first year of the third phase – with a number of achievements, especially at the national level. This despite significant challenges related to the ongoing and significant reforms of the territorial, administrative and political structure and the functions of decentralization in Albania. Highlights from 2014 are summarized below:
Positioning dldp at the national level was a key objective at the beginning of this phase. It has been achieved through a multilevel approach. At the policy level a strong liaison with the Swiss Embassy has served to trigger donor coordination, thus enhancing the dldp role especially related to the decentralization strategy and the territorial and administrative reform (TAR). Dldp’s policy making contribution has been rewarding with regards to TAR, the decentralization strategy, waste management and public finance management, electronic governance and the tourism strategy. It has been broadly recognized even from national media, GoA and the Parliament (both opposition party and ruling coalition).
To respond to the changes of the legal and institutional framework of civil service: dldp has adapted the knowledge management approach. Special focus has been dedicated to establishing relations with the main civil service administrative bodies, such as the School of Public Administration (ASPA) and the Department of Public Administration (DoPA). Dldp has signed a memorandum of understanding with ASPA that encompasses a range of activities planned by dldp in its YPO 2014-15. In this framework, a closer coordination with the project of the Council of Europe, through the Swiss Embassy, has been helpful in avoiding overlapping of activities. As a result dldp has re-oriented its efforts for 2015.
Most of the training curricula developed during the previous phases have been anchored at the national system through a twin partnership between Ministries of Lines and the School of Public Administration. A certification system valid for the civil servants have been established by contributing in the career development of local practitioners through dldp recognized curricula. More than 189 practitioners from 63 LGUs have benefited from the regional trainings out of which 39 from 28 LGUs have been certified for successful completion.
The Decentralisation policy review has been conducive for dldp to provide contributions at policy level. All interventions have been planned in the operational plan, considering them as forming a chain process, which links all developed products at the local level, with national frameworks (strategies, legal framework and institutional building). Contribution to other sectorial strategies has increased the volume of policy influence. Given the generally favourable environment, dldp has managed to produce validated inputs to national policy making.
Two members of dldp’s Women in Politics network completed the Academy of Political Studies, jointly funded by CoE and SDC. A number of joint activities have been undertaken with PLGP/USAID in the frame of Decentralization Strategy in order to bring the representatives of LGUs in the North (mainly DP where dldp is more active) and South/Mid Albania (mainly SP) together in the same consultative platforms.
Achievements of dldp phase II (for more click here)