The Second Steering Committee of the project “Sustaining Public Administration Reform at Local Level in Albania” was held on 15 November 2023, with the participation of the main beneficiary institutions and partners. The meeting was co-chaired by Giulia Re, Head of Council of Europe Office in Tirana and Arbjan Mazniku, Minister of State for Local Government, who underlined the importance of international standards in supporting the reform process in Albania.

The focus of the discussions were the activities carried out so far towards the preparation of a competency framework for public officials and the updating of the training needs assessment for local authorities.  The plan of activities for the upcoming period, including support to the Municipality in the preparation of a civil participation tool, will enable the project to continue to support beneficiaries in reforming public administration and advancing principles of democratic good governance at the local level in Albania.

Project initiatives reinforcing local capacities via CEEGG tools (Leadership Academy Programme LAP) go hand in hand with the support at the central level for streamlined training programmes.

During the meeting, participants reaffirmed their commitment to the project's goals, emphasising alignment of these objectives with the main strategic documents related to local governance in Albania in line with Council of Europe Standards on the matter.