| Country | Albania |
| Region | Europe - non EU member states |
| Duration | Start 1 October, 2017 till 31 July, 2020 |
| Field of expertise | Developing Sustainable and Resilient Cities and Communities |
| Policy field(s) |
Public policy and planning Civil society Community development European integration Public policy and planning |
| Funding | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Netherlands |
| Project code | 11374 |
The main objective of the project was to improve the effectiveness and responsiveness of local public safety and security policies in Albania by supporting local security actors to involve citizens in the development and implementation of such policies. Effectiveness and responsiveness of government institutions are crucial for maintaining the rule of law and practicing principles of good governance. That said, effectiveness relates to strengthening the relationships and cooperation between the safety and security actors and their capacities, which is necessary to implement the current reforms in the field of decentralisation and safety and security at the local level. Responsiveness relates to strengthening the relationship and cooperation between these actors and the citizens in order to make local safety and security policies more responsive to citizen's demands.
The specific objective was to increase capacity at community, municipal and central government level to effectively develop and implement effective and responsive public safety and security policies.
Contributing to these objectives furthers Albania's implementation of the EU Acquis Chapters 23 and 24 on fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.
The project also contributed to the spinoff objectives of improving Dutch-Albanian bilateral relations, more visibility of the contribution of the Netherlands to Albania's EU accession process, and influence on larger projects funded by donors such as the EC and USAID.
Outcome 1 Local safety and security actors practice principles of good governance, integrating citizens' public safety and security needs and priorities in the development and implementation of municipal policies and regulations.
Outcome 2 Local communities in the municipalities effectively advocate for municipal safety and security policies and regulations that include their needs and priorities.
Outcome 3 Central and local governments work together in making the decentralised public safety and security policies operational.
Outputs component 1
Target group Safety and security actors from 5 pilot municipalities, such as civil servants working in relevant fields (Department for Public Services, Department for Social Services) and representatives of the municipal police and fire brigade.
Output 1.1 Awareness of local safety and security actors in relation to citizen participation processes and citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security is increased.
Output 1.2 Capacities of local safety and security actors to act upon citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security and involve citizens in municipal policy- and decision-making processes in this field are increased.
Outputs component 2
Target group Community Councils and Community Liaisons (or if these have not yet been erected, less formalised local groups who are representative), taking in mind gender, age and minority representation.
Output 2.1 Awareness of rights and responsibilities in relation to citizen participation processes is increased among local communities in 5 Albanian municipalities.
Output 2.2 Citizens' needs and priorities are increasingly known and articulated by Community Councils and Community Liaisons (CLs).
Output 2.3 Citizens are increasingly participating in municipal policy- and decision-making processes.
Outputs component 3
Target group High-level representatives from national and local level, representatives from local government associations, representatives from Albanian municipalities
Output 3.1 Albanian national institutions know how to create an enabling environment for municipalities to develop and implement effective and responsive local public safety and security policies.
Output 3.2 Albanian officials at central government level know how to effectively relate to local safety and security actors.
Other implementing partners of the project wereThe Hague Academy for Local Governance (sub-contracted for part of the trainings) and the Albanian Foundation for Local Governance and Autonomy (FLAG), the local implementing partner.
The specific objective was to increase capacity at community, municipal and central government level to effectively develop and implement effective and responsive public safety and security policies.
Contributing to these objectives furthers Albania's implementation of the EU Acquis Chapters 23 and 24 on fundamental rights, justice, freedom and security.
The project also contributed to the spinoff objectives of improving Dutch-Albanian bilateral relations, more visibility of the contribution of the Netherlands to Albania's EU accession process, and influence on larger projects funded by donors such as the EC and USAID.
Outcome 1 Local safety and security actors practice principles of good governance, integrating citizens' public safety and security needs and priorities in the development and implementation of municipal policies and regulations.
Outcome 2 Local communities in the municipalities effectively advocate for municipal safety and security policies and regulations that include their needs and priorities.
Outcome 3 Central and local governments work together in making the decentralised public safety and security policies operational.
Outputs component 1
Target group Safety and security actors from 5 pilot municipalities, such as civil servants working in relevant fields (Department for Public Services, Department for Social Services) and representatives of the municipal police and fire brigade.
Output 1.1 Awareness of local safety and security actors in relation to citizen participation processes and citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security is increased.
Output 1.2 Capacities of local safety and security actors to act upon citizens' needs and priorities in the field of public safety and security and involve citizens in municipal policy- and decision-making processes in this field are increased.
Outputs component 2
Target group Community Councils and Community Liaisons (or if these have not yet been erected, less formalised local groups who are representative), taking in mind gender, age and minority representation.
Output 2.1 Awareness of rights and responsibilities in relation to citizen participation processes is increased among local communities in 5 Albanian municipalities.
Output 2.2 Citizens' needs and priorities are increasingly known and articulated by Community Councils and Community Liaisons (CLs).
Output 2.3 Citizens are increasingly participating in municipal policy- and decision-making processes.
Outputs component 3
Target group High-level representatives from national and local level, representatives from local government associations, representatives from Albanian municipalities
Output 3.1 Albanian national institutions know how to create an enabling environment for municipalities to develop and implement effective and responsive local public safety and security policies.
Output 3.2 Albanian officials at central government level know how to effectively relate to local safety and security actors.
Other implementing partners of the project wereThe Hague Academy for Local Governance (sub-contracted for part of the trainings) and the Albanian Foundation for Local Governance and Autonomy (FLAG), the local implementing partner.