Second call: Grants from the European Union go to 13 municipalities.

Quality service provision to citizens at the local level is a challenge and a priority for the municipalities in the country. The efficiency and development of the municipalities takes on greater weight, as the number of functions of the municipalities in relation to the citizens has increased and the pressure for institutional strengthening escalated with the opening of negotiations for Albania’s membership in the European Union from July of this year.

Against this backdrop, and following the assistance provided to local government, the “EU for Municipalities” program announced the 13 municipalities awarded funding from the second call for proposals, during a ceremony held in the Municipality of Lushnje.

Ambassador Christiane Hohmann of the European Union Delegation in Tirana, urged the mayors present at the ceremony to speak for the people while reiterating the critical function of local government in the country’s membership in the European Union.
“Congratulations to the 13 projects awarded by #EU4Municipalities programme. The enforcement of EU acquis in Albania, nearly 70% happens at a local level. That is why today in Lushnje, I reiterated to mayors & deputy mayors from 13 Albanian municipalities their key role in the country’s EU accession”, EU Ambassador Christiane Hohmann.

According to the Team Leader of the “EU for Municipalities” project, Mr. Elton Stafa, work must be done to improve the capacities of the municipalities in order to have as many such calls and beneficiaries as possible in the future.

The municipalities of Lushnja, Skrapar, Patos, Kuçova, Kamza, Klos, Kavaja, Tropoja, Rrogozhina, Mirdita, Tirana, Lezha, and Fush-Arrëz are the recipients of the award, amounting to 600 000 euros.

The Mayor of Lushnje, host of the ceremony and also the beneficiary of the grants of the second call, Mrs. Eriselda Sefa said that this is a fantastic opportunity to improve the community livelihood.
“The focus of the municipality that I lead is an open municipality that communicates directly with the community. Therefore, it is essential for us to keep the infrastructure that we will build during the project even after its completion.”

True integration in the EU, according to Andi Mahila, deputy interior affairs minister, has to do with local standards being put into practice.
“The EU for Municipalities project is a cornerstone for the absorption of grants for municipalities. Municipalities must increase their capacity to manage these grants, and the government has supported them by improving decentralization policies”, according to Deputy Minister Mahilaj.

Enea Hoti, the General Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior Affairs, stated that the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Ministry of Finance are collaborating closely to resolve issues with the administration of funds from the recipient municipalities.
“Since the territorial reform was implemented, at least one project is currently managed by 60 municipalities around the country.” We are in negotiations and have a promise that these funds will increase in the future, according to Mr. Hoti.

The program’s deputy Team Leader, Mrs. Entela Pinguli, introduced the 13 awarded projects as part of the second call.
The open debate on local development goals with mayors and officials from municipalities was chaired by Ms. Adelina Farrici, Executive Director of the Association of Local Autonomy. The “EU for Municipalities” project seeks to boost capacity for growth at municipal level while also enhancing the socioeconomic and environmental circumstances of Albanian local communities.

Therefore, the winning municipalities of the second call will have the same opportunities as the winning municipalities of the first call to improve better quality public services and more sustainable local economic development. The “EU for Municipalities” program also places great emphasis on promoting youth, culture, and sports in local communities.