2012 ANNUAL REPORT Partners Albania Center for Change and Conflict Management
FROM THE DIRECTOR Dear Readers, This report provides an expose of Partners Albania work during the year 2012, the main highlights of our programmatic work enriched by new ideas, broader representation and larger number of beneficiaries. In 2012 Partners Albania kept up the efforts to bring together private, social and public actors in working for public good. Development of a culture of philanthropy in Albania has been the overarching program for that. Partners Albania organized for the second year the Philanthropy Award, a contribution to the public education on and recognition of such practice. Tailored media programs, presentations and discussions with journalists, lectures to university students and civil society practitioners, were some of other instruments used to bring philanthropy at the attention of public and promote Albanian good examples. The first regional Green Ideas Competition was a model demonstrating the great potential of philanthropy in addressing economic deficits by preserving the tradition and using local resources. Social enterprises, as a new development trend has gained important attention and efforts from Partners Albania for the years to come. The first European conference on social enterprises and their role in economic and democratic development, surfaced the challenging legal and financial environment where nascent social enterprises are working. Partners Albania pioneered the national debate on corporate social responsibility, untapping its potential towards social good, through a more sensitive government approach and strategic partnerships with civic actors. Publications highlighting Albanian companies’ best practices, elaborated examples from the
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region, and study visits for government officials finally brought the topic to the public domain. Fight against corruption and increased transparency of public institutions as an inevitable undertaking to ensure access to and quality of services for the public, has continued to be one of the programmatic areas in 2012. Evaluation of e-procurement procedures at the municipal level, assistance to local government to build sound institutional processes to assess and address transparency issues and capacity building for local government officials in access to funding were the main interventions in the area. The woman, her economic status and access to labor market were assisted by facilitating business partnership building and access to cross-border markets. Gender equality was addressed as well, from the perspective of tax system design and application. Efforts aiming women participation in decision making and political activism were undertaken as an integral part of upcoming Parliamentary elections of 2013. Civil society capacity building and its dialogue with government were assisted through a national research discussing the enabling environment for public participation at local level, series of facilitated dialogue among stakeholders and partnership building at the Balkan region level. The main development issues concerning the Albanian civil society nowadays, in the focus of Partners Albania work, were brought to the European agenda as part of regional initiatives and advocacy efforts boosted by joined network efforts. Best wishes, Juliana Hoxha Director
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CONTENTS
From the Director Facts and Figures
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Working with private sector toward public good Promotion of philanthropy Philanthropy in support of green ideas Promotion and development of Corporate Social Responsibility in Albania Social enterprises, response to economic crises?
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Strengthening local development Cities without corruption – Cities with a future Enhance the transparency and accountability of E-public procurement Supporting the establishment of the Local Action Groups (LAG) in Shkodra and Korça Capacity building programs in Proposal Writing in Shkodra and Vlora region
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Increasing social inclusion and supporting women empowerment Role of civil society and local self-government to increase social cohesion in Albania and Montenegro Increasing representation of women from rural areas in the political and social life Gender equality in the Albanian General Tax Administration
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Increasing public participation in decision making Increase citizen participation in policy making and implementation Citizen’s Fair (ACT) Now! initiative Assistance for the Albanian Justice Sector Strengthening Project
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FACTS AND FIGURES Partners Albania achievements during 2012 are a result of hard work and dedication of 8 full time staff, 3 part time staff, 3 interns. During this year, PA worked with 25 contractors and 4 implementing partner organizations. Partners Albania continues to actively participate and contribute in the PDCI network, BCSDN network, EUCLID network, DPI of UN and also other programs and international forums. Over 900 local government officials, NGO representatives, students, community groups, local administration officials from rural areas, private sector employees etc. enhanced their knowledge and skills through participation in capacity building programs on Gender Mainstreaming, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Inclusion, Community Mobilization, Proposal Writing, Customer Care and Effective Sales, etc. provided in over 80 days of training and coaching sessions. Organization of 4 regional and national conferences, with the participation of about 400 national and foreign experts, civil society practitioners, donor organizations and business company representatives, opening the discussion and bringing the local and international perspective on important issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Enterprises, and Philanthropy in support of country development. Over 25 workshops organized with CSOs, local government officials and business representatives etc. on issues related to public participation in decision making, e-procurement at local level, anticorruption and good governance. PA participated in 17 international events, summits, policy events, conferences, workshops and meetings of the networks where the Center is a member of, sharing the organization’s and Albanian NPO sector experience and practices, and contributing to influence the Balkan and European agenda toward country integration.
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WORKING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARD PUBLIC GOOD
PROMOTION OF PHILANTHROPY P
artners Albania organized on December 6th, 2012, the “Philanthropy Award 2012” Ceremony, an event organized for the second consecutive year in Albania. Partners Albania is working on making the Philanthropy Award a tradition, expressing our gratitude to individuals, families and businesses who contribute to improve the quality of life in our society. The Awards were granted in the below categories: Award for Entities Contributing at the National Level was granted to Albanian Mobile Communications (AMC) with the motivation: For supporting the education and development of children with special needs in public education institutions in Albania. Award for Entities Contributing at the Local Level was granted to Ms. Mimoza Shuli, Hotel “Perla” Pogradec with the motivation: For contributing to the promotion of local artisan business run by women in need in Pogradec, employment and improvement of the economic situation of their families, and for the continuous financial support to other vulnerable groups. Award for the Individual Contribution was granted to Mr. Ylli Sula with motivation: For the support given to the development and promotion of cultural and artistic values in Albania, through the initiative of organizing the annual KULT academy awards.
Special Award “Pioneer of Philanthropy” was granted to Mr. Vangjel Zhapa (posthumously) with the motivation: For his outstanding philanthropic activity in the fields of education, culture and sport among which, the financing of the first Albanian ABC book of Naum Veqilharxhi, and the contribution in spreading the Albanian language, the construction of 135 schools in south of the country and the construction of several public buildings in Albania and abroad, etc. Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Tirana Bank with the motivation: For the valuable and humanitarian act of voluntary blood donation of its employees, in continuous support of the Blood Bank and Blood Transfusion Centre. The Philanthropy Award 2012 Ceremony was shared with over 150 guests and friends of Partners Albania, distinguished personalities from the academia, business sector, art and public institutions. Partners Albania was honored to have these year distinguished personalities from Albanian academic world Mr. Luan Omari and Mr. Jorgo Bulo, Ms. Elira Sakiqi, IFC representative for Albania and Mr. Haki Abazi, Program Director for the Western Balkans at the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, who presented the Awards to the winners. The Philanthropy Award 2012 was made possible through the support of Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
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WORKING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARD PUBLIC GOOD
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Photo description: 1) Juliana Hoxha, PA director welcoming the guests; 2 during the ceremony; 3) Ornela Bego from AMC receives the Award for Entities contributing at National Level; 4) Mimoza Shuli receives the Award for Entities Contributing at Local Level; 5) Ylli Sula receives the Award for Individual Contribution; 6) Thanas Meksi receives the Award Pioneer of Philanthropy on behalf of the family of Vangjel Zhapa; 7, 10) Christian Canacaris, CEO of Tirana Bank receives the Certificate of Appreciation; 11) Haki Abazi, Program Director for the Western Balkans of RBF foundation greets the guests; 12) During a cocktail after the event.
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PHILANTHROPY IN SUPPORT OF GREEN IDEAS P
artners Albania, as a local partner of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund is working to promote the Green Philanthropy, a new pilot initiative that RBF has undertaken in collaboration with its local partners in Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro to stimulate the role of philanthropy in support of green ideas. In June 2012 Partners Albania announced the Call for Green Ideas, open to individuals, civil society organizations and small business ventures to present ideas that were friendly to the environment, based on the use of local human and material resources.
Three ideas selected from Albania, along with 12 other ideas from Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, were presented at the 3rd Annual Forum for the Development of Philanthropy in the Western Balkans, organized by Rockefeller Brothers Fund on 17-20 July 2012,in Montenegro. One of the three winners of the regional competition was the Albanian initiative “Albanian Recycling Community� of the association Social Stimulating Alternative Program (PASS).
Photo description Photo on the left: Juliana Hoxha, PA director with the three winners of the competition in Albania, Zeqir Taga, Iris Sojli and Lavdosh Ferruni. Photo on the right: Haki Abazi, Program Director for the Western Balkans of RBF foundation handing the winning certificate to Iris Sojli from PASS organization.
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PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ALBANIA
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WORKING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARD PUBLIC GOOD
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n June 5, 2012, Partners Albania organized the regional conference “Development of Corporate Social Responsibility - Challenges and Practices in the Region.” The conference brought together nearly 120 representatives from the business sector, government institutions, donor agencies, the non-for-profit sector and media from Albania, Montenegro, and Macedonia. The conference addressed important issues regarding the development of Corporate Social Responsibility highlighting challenges, perspectives and best practices in these three countries, the catalytic role of the state and the role of media as an indispensable tool for public education and promotion of CSR practices. Partners Albania organized a series of training programs on “Corporate Social Responsibility - Building a bridge to contribute to the development of local communities” in Berati, Korça, Gjirokastra and Peshkopia. The training aimed to increase information and awareness on the Corporate Social Responsibility and its importance in the development of local communities and society. They focused on forms of cooperation among businesses and citizens, communities and nonprofit organizations, information on CSR, some of the forms and areas where it applies, as well as examples of good CSR practices from region.
The project “Promotion and Development of Corporate Social Responsibility in Albania” is being implemented with the financial support of the East East Beyond Borders Program.
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WORKING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR TOWARD PUBLIC GOOD
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SOCIAL ENTERPRISES, RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC CRISES? P
artners Albania organized on 29 October 2012 the international conference “Social Enterprises, Response to Economic Crisis?” The event focused on the importance of social enterprises as models and organization forms to alleviate the economic crisis of 2008. The conference brought together over 120 representatives of civil society organizations, business, government, donors and media from Europe, the Western Balkans and Turkey. Discussions and presentations from experts, well known representatives of social enterprises and civil society networks from European Union countries, the Western Balkans and Turkey were organized in two thematic panels, while a third session was dedicated to working in three thematic groups on social enterprise development.
The first panel brought to the attention of participants the social enterprise development trends and highlighted some of the policies and regulations undertaken by the European Commission. Experts from France, UK and Italy addressed in their discussion the values that guide social enterprises as well as various forms of their organization. The second panel focused on the development of social enterprises in the Western Balkans and Turkey. Representatives from these countries brought the country level experiences and discussed the social enterprise support schemes, set up to promote the creation and development of social enterprises in their countries.
social enterprises in Albania. The second group focused on the operation of social enterprises in a competitive market. The other group was focused on the role of knowledge and networks in the development of social enterprises. The conference was funded by the Open Society Foundation for Albania. Click here for more information on the event: http://www.partnersalbania. org/?fq=brenda&gj=gj2&kid=519
Three thematic groups were established to address the issues around social enterprises. One of the groups focused on the draft law on
Photo description: 1) Juliana Hoxha, PA director welcoming the guests; 2) Denada Seferi, Director of Social Services Policies in MLSAEO moderating the working group on draft law on social enterprises in Albania; 3) Neven Marinovic, Executive Director of Smart Kolektiv, Serbia moderating the working group on the role of know – how and networking in social enterprise development; 4) Arben Shamia, Executive Director YAPS, Albania moderating the working group on setting up and maintaining social enterprise operations in a competitive market; 5) Louise Pulford, Head of Social Innovation eXchange (SIX), United Kingdom; 6) Thierry Weishaupt, CEO of Education and Solidarity Network,France; 7) Karl RIGHTER, Joint Chief Executive of Engaged Investment, United Kingdom; 8) Filippo ADDARII, Executive Director, Euclid Network, United Kingdom; 9) Basak ERSEN, Secretary General, TUSEV Network, Turkey; 10) Marco TOGNETTI, President, LAMA Development and Cooperation Agency, Italy; 11) Ened MATO, Director, Ecovolis, Albania; 12) Shkelzen MARKU, Country Director, Yunnus Social Business, Albania
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STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
CITIES WITHOUT CORRUPTION –
CITIES WITH A FUTURE
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artners Albania started in 2012 the implementation of an innovative anticorruption approach in the municipalities of Kuçova, Lezha and Rubiku. Beside curing and preventing corruption, this anticorruption methodology strengthen the institutional integrity, efficiency and transparency, improving the delivery of public services, thus providing a sustainable local development. This work started by focusing on the organization vulnerability to corruption, considering it a symptom of its malfunctioning and going beyond, addressing corruption by enhancing local governments integrity, transparency and accountability, the very principles on which sustainable urban development relies. The process followed the strategic planning steps, from diagnosis till solutions elaboration and implementation, aiming to change corrupt organizational systems rather than individuals.
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Under Partners Albania facilitation, key stakeholders from the municipalities as mayors, vice mayors, chairpersons of the Municipal Council, managers and municipality staff, and outside stakeholders were involved in analytical diagnose of their organization vulnerability to corruption. They acted as the creators of their organization’s future by developing a vision, strategic objectives and concrete action plans to cure and prevent corruption. On 17-19 December, PA anticorruption practitioners, mayor and vice mayor of Kuçova, and mayors of Lezha and Rubiku participated in the regional conference “Cities without Corruption - Cities of the Future” held in Zagreb, to share results and experiences with local government actors of the countries in the region who are applying the same methodology in their organizations. This initiative is made possible through the financial support of the World Bank through FPDL-Partners Romania, and the British Embassy in Albania.
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Photo description: 1) Signing the agreement with the Guiding Coalition in Rubik; 2) The workshop with the Guiding Coalition in Lezha municipality; 3) During the workshop to draft the anti-corruption strategy in Kuçova, October 2012 4) The Mayor of Rubik and the Chairwomen of the Municipal Council during the 2nd workshop, October 2012; 5) Kuçova municipality share their experience with other participants at the Zadar Conference, December 2012; 6) The international experts, Mrs. Ana Vasilache from FPDL - Partners-Romania and former Mayor of LaPaz, Mr. Ronald MacLean Abaroa, meet the Mayor of Kuçova.
ENHANCE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF E-PUBLIC PROCUREMENT S
ince April 2012, Partners Albania has undertaken an initiative to monitor the implementation of the Public Procurement Law and procurement procedures for public tenders in municipalities of Tirana, Elbasani and Lezha. The initiative aims good governance, prevention and reduction of corruption at local government level, and increase the efficiency of public procurement. Partners Albania monitored on a daily basis the website of Public Procurement Agency and the public procurement bulletin. The monitoring reports are shared with interested stakeholders and are available at PA office for access from all other interested institutions.
In addition, Partners Albania conducted in Tirana, Lezha and Elbasani a survey of the economic operators ‘satisfaction with the e-procurement procedures for public tenders. The survey was conducted through interviews with about 120 economic operators who have applied during 2011-2012 in tenders organized by the three municipalities. As part of the survey, PA conducted meetings with procurement units in the respective municipalities, to identify the main challenges faced by local governments in carrying out procurement procedures.
This pilot initiative is made possible through the support of the British Embassy in Tirana.
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SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ACTION GROUPS (LAG) IN SHKODRA AND KORÇA D
uring 2012, Partners Albania was a partner of Europartners in the implementation of a project focused in establishing LAGs in the Fruit Trees, Small Ruminants and Herbs and Spices in the regions of Korça and Shkodra”. This initiative was supported by ProMali/SNV project for the development of mountains area in Albania. As part of the project experts team, Partners Albania were involved in facilitating the establishment of LAGs (Local Action Groups) in Fruit Trees, Small Ruminates and Herbs and Spices in the regions of Shkodra and Korça based on the EU approach of LAGs. PA facilitated the process of LAGs leadership election, and rules and procedures for the functioning of LAGs as organizations. In addition, Partners Albania experts facilitated the drafting of legal and regulatory documents required for the registration of these groups.
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The training experts of the project designed a tailored-made training program to build the LAGs members capacities in several topics such as Internal Procedures, Strategic Planning and Project Proposal Writing. During a series of trainings and assistance sessions, the LAG’s Guiding Committees and members in Korça and Shkodra region were assisted on writing project proposals according to the EU standards. At the end of the process, there were written three projects for each of the LAGs, focused in fruit trees, small ruminants and herbs and spices. Photo description: 1) During the training in Proposal writing in Shkodër; 2) During the training in Internal Procedures in Korça; 3) During the workshop for the election of the LAG structure and leadership in Shkodra; 4) Workshop for the election of the LAG structure and leadership in Korça.
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STRENGTHENING LOCAL DEVELOPMENT
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS IN PROPOSAL WRITING IN SHKODRA AND VLORA REGION
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artners Albania provided a series of ten 3-day training programs in Proposal Writing for local stakeholders in Shkodra and Vlora region representing Local government (municipalities, communes, qarks), regional offices of central government institutions, NGOs, universities, media, private sector, etc. The capacity building programs improved participants’ knowledge and skills in writing proposals according to EU Logical Framework model, aiming to assist them develop stronger proposals thereby increasing their opportunities of securing funds from several financing schemes, toward a more sustainable local development. During the training programs, participants prepared project proposals focused mainly in development of tourism and promotion of ethno-cultural and natural values, and socio-cultural development of the respective areas in compliance with the strategic priorities of the UNDP Albania program ARTGOLD2, which financially supported this initiative.
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INCREASING SOCIAL INCLUSION AND SUPPORTING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
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ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY AND LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT TO INCREASE SOCIAL COHESION IN ALBANIA AND MONTENEGRO
artners Albania and Centre for Development of Non-Governmental Organizations (CRNVO) in Montenegro started in April 2012 implementation of the joint project “Civil Society and Local SelfGovernments in Enhancing Social Cohesion in Albania and Montenegro”, which aims to increase
integration, development and cooperation among civil society in the cross-border area between Albania and Montenegro. The project focuses on increasing capacities of CSOs and community groups in the targeted area, and development of good models of cooperation between CSOs, community groups and local government.
The targeted municipalities are Berane, Bar, Danilovgrad and Plav in Montenegro and Kopliku, Bushati, Vau i Dejës and Dajçi in Albania. During 2012, Partners Albania and CRNVO conducted four joint capacity building and experience sharing programs, two in Montenegro and two in Albania. In June 2012, ten participants from the target areas in Albania joined their colleagues from the four municipalities in Montenegro, in the training program on “Public Advocacy” organized in Berane, Montenegro. The second training program was organized in Koplik, Albania in July 2012. The training on “Community Mobilization” gathered participants from both sides of the border. The third training, “Citizen participation at the local level” was organized in Danilovgrad, Montenegro. The fourth training program on “Social inclusion” was held in the premises of Bushat Commune in Albania, a role model commune among LG structures in Albania. This project is funded by the European Union under the IPA Cross-Border Program AlbaniaMontenegro, 2007-2013
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INCREASING REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN FROM RURAL AREAS IN THE POLITICAL AND SOCIAL LIFE
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artners Albania in partnership with the Albanian Association of Communes started in 2012 implementation of the project “Increasing the representation of women from rural areas in social and political life”, which aims to increase the participation of women in decisionmaking structures, and strengthening the capacity of elected women in local government administration at commune level. Partners Albania provided 12 trainings in women’s rights and gender mainstreaming in local government at the 12 Qarks, attended by over 200 participants representing head of communes, members of commune councils and other administration officials. The cycle of training programs will be followed in 2013 by the establishment of Women Leaders Forum, a core group of 24 active women and girls from 24 communes (2 per Qark). They will be coached and trained by experts who will provide them with different skills and also assist them in drafting the Chart for Equal Gender Representation in Decision Making Structures. The project is funded by European Union under the Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).
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INCREASING SOCIAL INCLUSION AND SUPPORTING WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
GENDER EQUALITY IN THE ALBANIAN GENERAL TAX ADMINISTRATION
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artners Albania in cooperation with InDevelop-IPM AB, a Swedish consultancy company, implemented the gender component of the project “Swedish support to the Tax Administration in Albania, General Tax Department (GTD) in Tirana and Durrës”, 2010-2012, funded by SIDA. The gender component of the project assisted the Albanian Tax Administration to promote gender equality in all levels of the institution, being the first institution in Albania to develop a gender equality policy and implementation plan.
Partners Albania, in the role of the local consultant, conducted the pre-study “Albanian tax system and its effects on gender equality”, delivered several training sessions on gender concepts and national legislation and international regulations on gender equality, and assisted the Tax Administration to develop the Gender Equality Policy and Implementation Plan.
During the presentation of the gender policy and implementation plan to all stakeholders, June 2012
Klotilda Tavani Kosta, Director of Programs at Partners Albania and Ann Boman from InDevelop-IPM AB at the Ceremony of Certification of the Development Group at the Tax Administration.
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INCREASING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING
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INCREASE CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN POLICY MAKING AND IMPLEMENTATION
ince January 2012 Partners Albania is implementing an initiative in eight regions of Albania, aiming to increase local civil society organizations and active community members’ participation in decision making processes at local level. The focused regions are Tirana, Shkodra, Puka, Fieri, Vlora, Kukësi, Durrësi, Lezha, Elbasani, Korça and Berati. PA administered a national Survey on “Citizen Participation in Decision-making Process at Local Level” which targeted 100 NGOs, aiming to identify obstacles to meaningful participation of civil society and citizens in national and local development, and identify priorities for reforms of the legal and regulatory framework. In addition to the survey, PA conducted a comprehensive assessment of laws, regulations and policies that affect civic engagement in Albania, and organized six focus group discussions with the participation of more than 80 representatives of active CSOs from Tirana, Durrësi, Vlora, Kukësi, Shkodra and Puka. Issues and concerns raised were very similar in each of the cities, although CSOs from Tirana demonstrated a higher level of information on local government issues and participatory processes.
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In addition, Partners Albania conducted a series of local workshops in Durrësi, Shkodra, Fieri, Korça, Elbasani, Gjirokastra, Lezha and Tirana with participation of more than 90 local civil society actors and local government representatives to share the survey findings and to discuss the relationship between NGOs and local government.
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The project is financially supported by Olof Palme International Center. 5 6
Photo description: 1) Focus group in Fieri; 2) Workshop in Elbasani; 3) Workshop in Durrësi; 4) Workshop in Lezha; 5) Workshop in Tirana; 6) Workshop in Shkodra; 7) Focus group in Vlora.
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INCREASING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING
CITIZEN’S FAIR (ACT) NOW! INITIATIVE P
artners Albania as an organization working actively to support civic engagement and citizen activism participated in the “Citizen’s Fair”, a U.S Embassy supported event.
It was organized on June 21, 2012, under the Albanian Citizens Come Together (ACT) Now! initiative, aiming to encourage Albanian citizens to get involved and act on issues facing their communities. Together with other active Albanian organizations, Partners Albania team met and interacted with a large number of citizens who showed interest on the work the organization is doing and ways how to become involved and bring changes in their communities.
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ASSISTANCE FOR ALBANIAN JUSTICE SECTOR STRENGTHENING PROJECT P
artners Albania, as partner in implementation of the USAID funded Albanian Justice Sector Strengthening Project (JuST), conducted several activities during 2012 aiming to build the organizational capacity of the Union of Albanian Judges.
The focus of the assistance provided to UAJ was strengthening their role and contribution to the Justice Sector and its institutions, in line with the JuST Project aim to increase court transparency, fairness and efficiency; bolstering watchdog and anticorruption role of civil society organizations and media; and strengthening the legal profession and legal education in Albania. Partners Albania provided an intensive organizational development program for UAJ members and staff, tailored to the needs and strategic plan of the organization, including training on the Roles and Responsibilities of the Board, Fundraising, Public Speaking and Media Relations etc. In addition to the training and coaching, Partners Albania experts designed the External Communication Strategy of UAJ, including a newsletter, website outline, a leaflet to promote the organization and their activities, and other communication tools. The training and documents produced as part of this assistance will help UAJ toward better fulfillment of the Board and staff roles and responsibilities, better pursuing funding opportunities for the organization and better communicate via multiple channels enhancing its outreach. The assistance will boost the advocacy capacity of the organization and improve service provision to its members.
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PDCI NEXT GENERATION SUMMIT O
n October 12-17, Juliana Hoxha, PA Director, and Director of Programs Ariola Agolli and Klotilda Tavani attended the PDCI Next Generation Summit in Washington DC, with the participation of 19 network centers from Europe, Middle East, the Americas, and Africa. The summit aimed at building a sense of networking among the centers, to foster relationship and collaboration, to exchange and
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learn from each-others experiences, to explore opportunities of working together in joint initiatives, and to inspire the next generation to continue this partnership to build the democracy in the world. An important activity of the Summit was the PDCI reception “Where Democracy and Peace meet” organized at the USIP building, where PDCI members had the opportunity to present
and market their work to a broad audience of potential supporters and clients from the DC community. On October 16, PDCI organized a public conference at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Service on “Corporate Strategic Responsibility; What’s Next for CSR? Investing in Good Governance for Good Business”.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
EUCLID NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING T
he Annual conference of Euclid network 2012-Bridging the Gap - New Survival Strategies, held on 24th - 25th September 2012, was an interactive event spanning two cities - Copenhagen and Malmo.
Juliana Hoxha, Partners Albania Director presented the situation in the Western Balkans, focusing on the challenges of inter Balkan cooperation and European integration.
During the two days of this event, participants explored how individual organizations and people have endorsed new visions, developed new strategies and tools for survival and success, and how the European Union can foster and support such pioneers through new socio-economic policies, namely regarding social entrepreneurship and social innovation.
More information on this event can be found on this link: http://www.euclidnetwork.eu/about-us/euclid-networkannual-conference-2012/follow-up.html
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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS PDCI NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING IN AMMAN, JORDAN
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he PDCI network held their annual meeting in Amman, Jordan on 23-26 April 2012.
The meeting focused on the work and achievements of the Centers during the last year. A special attention was given to the results of PDCI evaluation as a network, its organizational development, impact of individual centers and network on advancing civil society, good governance and a culture of change and conflict management. During the meeting, Centers Directors paid a tribute to Raymond Shonholtz, the late President of PDCI who passed away in January 2012.
THE STATE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE EU ENLARGEMENT: WHY DON’T WE ALWAYS GET WHAT WE WANT?’’
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lona Kapexhiu, Communication Manager of Partners Albania participated in the regional conference on ‘’ The State of Civil Society in the EU Enlargement: Why Don’t We Always Get What We Want?’’ which took place on the 26th of April in Split, Croatia. The event was organized by Cenzura Plus in collaboration with BCSDN. Around 80 representatives of CSOs from Croatia and the Western Balkans region attended the conference, analyzed and presented the influence of the EU enlargement on the Balkan civil society.
On 27th April, Partners Albania representative and all members of the BCSDN gathered for the network’s ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING in Split, Croatia.
Photo description Upper row from left to right: Juliana Hoxha(Partners Albania Director), Sopo Shublatze (Partners Georgia Director), Maciej Tański (Partners Poland Director), Raja Hiyari (Partners Jordan Director), Colonel Birame Diop (Partners Senegal Director), Carlos Salazar (Partners Peru Director), Pablo Lumerman (Partners Argentina Director), Daniela Kolarova (PDCI Network Director), Eva Deak (Partners Hungary Director), Down row from left to right: Karolína Miková (Partners Slovakia Director), Julia Roig (PDC President), Dagmar Holanova (Program Coordinator at Partners Czech), Andreea Stefania Buzec (Program Manager at FPDL Partners Romania), Nike Carstarphen (Consultant)
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The highlight was the adoption of the Networks Midterm Strategy Plan 2012-2014, which was based on a year-long process or discussion and preparation.
MOBILIZING CIVIL SOCIETY TO CONSTRUCT A SOCIALLY SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE
PARTNERSHIP FOR CHANGE: CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE GOVERNMENTS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS AND TURKEY
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n 26-27 January 2012, the director of Partners Albania, Juliana Hoxha, took part in a workshop organized in Venice, sponsored by INSITE (Innovation, Sustainability and ICT), a coordination action funded by the European Commission. The participants represented different institutions from all over the world (Universities, organizations, foundations, journals, networks and research centers) . The aim of the workshop was to formulate a program of research and practice that can contribute to the processes of mobilization and construction that our society needs. The workshop was developed in five main themes including social transformation and multicentric politics, where Juliana Hoxha was one of the speakers, philosophical perspectives on social sustainability, challenges of pluralism, environmental sustainability, the role of civil society, ICT, mobilization, and processes of social transformation.
artners Albania Director, Juliana Hoxha participated in the International Social Entrepreneurship Conference was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from February 29th to 1st of March 2012. This event was organized by British Council, TACSO and TĂœSEV (Third Sector Foundation of Turkey), and hosted by the Kadir Has University. The event brought together around 150 participants, experienced social entrepreneurs and supporters of social entrepreneurship from the Western Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia and United Kingdom. They discussed common issues that concern the development of social entrepreneurship.
he Office for Cooperation with Civil Society of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in partnership with the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN), Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and TACSO organized the Partnership for change: Civil Society and the Governments in the Western Balkans and Turkey conference on March 15th 2012, in Belgrade. Juliana Hoxha, Director represented Partners Albania in this event attended by governmental institutions and civil society organizations representatives from the Western Balkans and Turkey. The conference aimed to further progress in development and functioning of institutional mechanisms of CSO – Government cooperation by providing concrete and sharable experience on best regulatory practices to improve civil society legislation and cross-sector partnerships and through peer-learning to both the institutions and staff.
Download the conference report for more information on this event: http://www.tacso.org/doc/doc_isec_ report.pdf
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1ST MATRIX FOR MONITORING OF THE ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR CSDev PUBLICLY PRESENTED
UNPACKING THE FUTURE - POINTING THE NORTH TOWARDS SOCIAL INNOVATION
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uliana Hoxha, PA Director, took part in the conference “Unpacking the Future - Pointing the North Towards Social Innovation”, organized by UDIPSS on 19-20 June 2013, in Porto.
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n 30 May 2012, Partners Albania director, Juliana Hoxha, was part of the first public presentation BCSDN made of the Matrix for Monitoring of the Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development. Hosted by the GMF Brussels office and supported by the BTD, the policy workshop brought together around 40 representatives of the DG Enlargement, European Parliament, EESC, RCC and CSO from Brussels, the Balkans and Turkey, to act upon and make suggestions for improvement of the Matrix. The matrix, which will serve as a monitoring mechanism for CSO, will also have a strong advocacy role in setting the optimum standards and promoting civil society as a value, rather than as issue of administrative capacity, as often happens with many governments in the Enlargement countries. The Matrix is developed by CSO experts and practitioners from 10 countries and supported by European Centre for Non-Profit Law (ECNL).
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The goal of this two day event was to accelerate social innovation by improving methods, offering the necessary tools and starting a process to build capacities in civil society agents so they may be able to find better and more efficient solutions to the challenges of the future. The conference and workshop sessions of this event provided participants the opportunity to share and present successful social business models and extend their networks.
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PROGRAM FOR ANTICORRUPTION PRACTITIONERS
artners Albania Directors of Programs Ariola Agolli and Klotilda Tavani Kosta participated in The Program for Anticorruption Practitioners (PAP) held in Zadar, Croatia, from April 23-May 2, 2013. This program brought together peers from Albania, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Serbia where is being implemented an innovative approach used on preventing and curing any potential threat of corruption in the local governmental units. In the event participated Mr.Shpëtim Nishani, Deputy Mayor of
Kuçova municipality, the local government unit selected by Partners Albania to implement this approach. During the Program for Anticorruption Practitioners, the participants drafted the work plan and strategies to follow as part of the intervention in the selected local government units in respective countries. The anticorruption approach was pioneered successfully by Ronald MacLean Abaroa as Mayor of La Paz on the basis of Professor Robert Klitgaard’s analytical frameworks, who both attended this PAP program sharing their experiences.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
REGIONAL CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE: FOR EUROPE OF THE WESTERN BALKANS AND TURKEY
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riola Agolli, PA Director of Programs participated in the Regional Civil Society Conference: For Europe of the Western Balkans and Turkey, organized on 26 to 28 September 2012. The event brought together in Zadar, Croatia about 100 civil society representatives, government representatives and EU officials to examine broad trends in the reform process necessary for a participatory democracy and a sustainable civil society. Ariola Agolli presented the situation in Albania, highlighting the need for a supportive and enabling legal environment for the civil society sector, revision of taxation regime for CSOs financing and individual giving, improvement of European Financial Regulation on grants and contracts, increase of access to information and participation of CSOs in the consultative processes and in policy making through creation of sustainable institutional mechanisms etc. The event was jointly organized by ECAS, the National Foundation for Civil Society Development, TACSO, the People to People Programme of the European Commission and Directorate General for Enlargement.
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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
CIVIL TRUST BUILDING
FINDING THE WAY THROUGH THE ENLARGEMENT LABYRINTH
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hroughout 2012, Partners Albania participated in the regional project “Building Civil Trust – Find your way through the enlargement labyrinth”, being the contact point for Albania. Through its activities, the project provided factual, up-to-date information to the larger public of the EU countries on the enlargement process and candidate and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans. Its activities helped raise public awareness and understanding about the importance of the Europe venture impact of enlargement process, and to foster European identity in the region. In its role as a country partner, Partners Albania has been active in distributing information and news on the project to its website and networks. PA selected an Albanian intern to participate in the Internship program the project organized with 7 CSO representatives from Western Balkans region. Partners Albania team members participated in several project events such as the kick-off event in Budapest, mid-term evaluation in Vienna, Bus Tour and Enlargement Labyrinth organized in six EU countries and in the conclusive event held in Rome on 1st of December 2012.
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The project was supported by PRINCE program of the European Commission DG Enlargement and was implemented by The European House, Hungary, in partnership with six organizations in six EU countries, and seven contact points from the Western Balkan countries. For more information please visit the website of the project: http://civiltrustbuilding.eu/
CREATING SYNERGIES TO BETTER SERVE THE CITIZENS OF EUROPE O
n November, 7th 2012, European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) in partnership with the European Parliament in Brussels and the Proinfo Foundation, organized the conference “Not-for-Profit Resource Centers in Europe: Creating Synergies to Better Serve the Citizens of Europe�.
Ariola Agolli, representative of Partners Albania in this event, highlighted the role that ECSH should play in increasing citizen access and share practices in support of civil society development and networking opportunities.
The event was organized at the European Parliament premises in Brussels. About 35 representatives of resource centers and organizations from 25 European countries were invited to participate in the presentation of the European Civil Society House Project and to discuss on its creation, functions and funding opportunities for the future. Partners Albania was invited to be part of the supporting working group of the ECSH creation. PA will act as the national focal point providing background information and studies to this regard.
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INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
NEWCOMER IN EVS? NO VENTURE, NO GAIN!
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ostandina Keruti, Project Manager at PA participated in the International Seminar “Newcomers in EVS? No venture, no gain!”. This seminar was organized by German National Agency in Bonn during 14 – 19 November 2012. It gathered around 25 participants from Albania, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Rumania and Latvia. The seminar aimed to provide participants the opportunity of learning the concept and philosophy of the European Voluntary Service (EVS) and Youth in Action Program of EU, and discuss the application procedures in this EU funded programme. They were able to learn how to create, develop and prepare an EVS project, and also discuss about YouthPass as a tool for recognition of non – formal learning at European level. The seminar served as a forum to exchange experiences with youth workers from other European organizations.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Partners Albania Center for Change and Conflict Management Rruga Sulejman Delvina, N.18, H.8, Ap. 12, NjĂŤsia Bashkiake 5, Kodi Postar 1022, Tirana, Albania, Kutia Postare (PO Box) 2418/1 Tel. 04 2254881 Fax: 04 2254883 partners@partnersalbania.org http://www.partnersalbania.org You may find us on
and