Author: Admin

Support the CSO sector to adapt to the Covid-19 emergency

The Covid-19 pandemic emergency, accompanied by quarantine conditions, has created a series of challenges for the work of the non-profit sector. These challenges, among other things, require new alternative forms of work for the staff of organizations as well as the provision of services to beneficiaries.

In response to the non-profit sector needs under the Covid-19 emergency, Partners Albania and the National Resource Centre for Civil Society, as part of the rapid support packages provided are offering free access ZOOM Platform, supporting civil society organisations in conducting their activities online.

Since the beginning of May, continuing of the online activity through the platform was provided for 41 organizations working in the field of human rights, environmental protection, tourism development and agriculture, good governance, education, provision of services for people with disabilities, women and girls, children and youth, marginalized groups, etc. These organizations work and contribute with their activity throughout the country, specifically in: Shkodra, Fushë-Arrëz, Tropojë, Dibër, Tirana, Durrës, Lushnje, Vlora, Elbasan, Librazhd, Berat, Gjirokastër, Përmet and Saranda.

Only within the first month of making the platform available, the beneficiary organizations have conducted about 45 trainings, 60 meetings with various actors and interest groups and have provided about 40 other online services such as information sessions, counselling sessions, etc. for the groups they serve.
All interested CSOs can still benefit of this opportunity and have free access for one year to the ZOOM Platform, by contacting us at info@resourcecentre.al. Read here the Assessment Report . Read here about the Sector Support Package

Tender Announcement – Engagement of Experts For The Provision Of Services Under The “Advanced Financial Management Academy For NPOs”

Partners Albania for Change and Development is looking to Engagement of Experts for the provision of services under the “Advanced Financial Management Academy for NPOs” in the framework of the “National Resource […]

Tender announcement – Engagement of experts for the roster of trainers / coaches in the framework of the “National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania”

Partners Albania for Change and Development is looking to engage experts for the roster of trainers / coaches in the framework of the “National Resource Centre for Civil Society in Albania”. […]

The 7th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) organised its 7th Western Balkans Civil Society Forum in Tirana on 16-17 April 2019. The main topics on the agenda were the role of civil society organisations in promoting regional cooperation, the state of social dialogue, as well as enabling civic space in the Western Balkans. Ms. Juliana Hoxha, Partners Albania Director was one of the speakers in the panel of this forum dedicated to creating an enabling environment for civil society.
The Forum brought together approximately 180 participants, including a broad range of civil society representatives from the EU and the Western Balkans, as well as representatives of EU institutions, international organisations and governments of the region. Read more about the Forum.

The annual meeting of the Assembly of the Code of Standards for NPOs in Albania

We are pleased to share with you highlights from the annual assembly meeting of the Code of Standards for NPOs in Albania, organised by the National Resource Center for Civil Society in Albania, Partners Albania for Change and Development, in the capacity of the Secretariat of the Code.

The meeting brought together the members of the Code to discuss the current work and developments over the past year, with a particular focus on the importance of achieving and maintaining the standards of the Code, as well as further promoting this practice in the country, the region, and beyond, as part of the commitment of organizations in Albania to align with the efforts of CSOs on a global level.

During this last year, the Code of Standards has been recognized and welcomed by important international institutions and bodies, such as the European Commission and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), respectively, as part of the European Commission Report on Albania 2022 and the “Best Practices Document” in the fight against terrorism and the prevention of money laundering.

With the expansion of the membership of the Code to 24 members, the new member organisations also joined in this annual meeting, and shared their insights about membership and emphasised its significance in enhancing organizational standards, fostering stronger partnerships, and increasing the trust of their constituencies, beneficiaries and the wider public.

Furthermore, at the conclusion of the two-year mandates of the two Committee members, Kristina Voko and Mirela Arqimandriti, the Code of Standards Assembly also conducted elections for two new members, from which were elected Ana Dervishi and Milaim Demnushaj.

As below, is the complete list of the Code of Standards Committee.

1. Ana Dervishi, Executive Director, Beyond Barriers Association
2. Ana Majko, Executive Director, Initiative for Social Change ARSIS
3. Blerta Çani Drenofci, Executive Director, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation
4. Mihallaq Qirjo, Executive Director, Resource Environmental Center – Albania
5. Milaim Demnushaj, Program Manager/ Lawyer, Different and Equal

During the meeting, several proposals for additions and modifications to some of the commitments and indicators in the Code of Standards were discussed and approved. These changes also reflect recent developments in Europe and beyond, particularly concerning measures related to the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism for NPOs. Another significant change is related to the commitment to provide greater attention and support to human resources within the organization, aiming to contribute to the staff wellbeing.

The Assembly emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships and undertaking joint initiatives in service of the civil society sector in the country.

The Code of Standards is a self-regulatory mechanism undertaken with the free will of NPOs that includes a set of principles and commitments on how organizations operate. It is a tool that promotes learning and change, strengthens relationships with partners and stakeholders, and increases the legitimacy and credibility of CSOs.

Conceived as a sector contribution to the sector, with the initiative of Partners Albania for Change and Development, the Code is a practice established based on international and regional experiences and models of standards for civil society organizations such as The Global Standard for CSO Accountability and the Balkan Civil Society Development Network (BCSDN).

For more information and updates, follow us on the dedicated platform here.

Members of the Code Assembly:

1. Partners Albania for Change and Development
2. Albanian Disability Rights Foundation (ADRF)
3. Act for Society
4. Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD)
5. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network – BIRN Albania
6. Beyond Barriers Association (BBA)
7. Counseling Line for Women and Girls (CLWG)
8. Different and Equal
9. Initiative for Social Change (ARSIS)
10. International Association for Solidarity (SHIS)
11. Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
12. “Free-Travelling” Association (Liberi di Viaggiare)
13. Gender Alliance for Development Centre (GADC)
14. Resource Environmental Center – Albania (REC Albania)
15. Social Contract Institute (SCI)
16. Tirana Legal Aid Society (TLAS)
17. “Vatra” Psycho-Social Centre
18. COSV in Albania
19. Woman Forum Elbasan
20. National Association For Life (SHKEJ)
21. Diakonia Agapes –Foundation Spirit of Love
22. Albcontact Centre
23. Plan&Go
24. Streha Shelter

The Assembly approves the Draft Law “On the Registration of Non-Profit Organizations”

On June 24, in the plenary session of the Albanian Parliament, the Draft Law “On the Registration of Non-Profit Organizations” was approved, despite the resistance of civil society organizations and the public appeal not to approve the draft law and to open a wide-ranging discussion in response of requests and recommendations received from the civil society sector in the country.

This law is a step back on the path forward for the democratization of Albania. Civil society organizations have asked the
President to return the law for reconsideration in parliament. If the President will enact the law, civil society organizations, as expressed in the last public appeal on June 23, 2021, will contest the constitutionality of the law in the Constitutional Court. Read more

A day before the discussion in the plenary session, 124 civil society organizations addressed the Assembly and each of the deputies personally with a public appeal! Following the statement, other organizations joined. Read the full statement here. 

From more than a year, since the draft law was made public by the Ministry of Justice until its approval by the Committee on Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights, despite the involvement of foreign expertise, the principles and legal framework of public consultation in the Republic of Albania have not been respected. The approach of the institutions has not been inclusive and enabling to bring together all actors in an open discussion about an important draft law for the functioning of the sector. The communication with stakeholders has been nontransparent, undermining their ability for a meaningful and significant contribution.

Despite the above, civil society organizations under the facilitation of the National Resource Centre have been actively involved in the consultation process of both the Ministry of Justice and the Assembly giving their recommendations and expressing readiness and commitment to engage in a redesigned process and with a wide participation of all key institutions and interest groups.

After the hearing session held in February this year, the communication with the Law Commission continued with the constant request to not approve the draft law in conditions of an emergency that undermines the effective consultation with civil society organizations as the main stakeholder and group of interest.

Discussion of the Draft Law in the Law Commission

On June 15, the Commission for Legal Affairs, Public Administration and Human Rights of the Albanian Assembly, approved the draft law “On registration of non-profit organizations” with 11 votes in favor and none against, nor abstention.
During the discussion, members of the Commission themselves as well as representatives of institutions expressed that there is no budget plan for law enforcement and a technical solution for the establishment of the electronic register accompanied by all the necessary elements and deadlines. Also, the authority of the Assembly over the judiciary to enforce the law remains an open and worrying issue. For more on the discussions, you can follow the full meeting of the Law Commission here

The Commission of Legal Issues, Public Administration and Human Rights of the Assembly of Albania, held a hearing session on the draft law “On the registration of Non for Profit Organizations”

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The European Commission has published the 2021 Enlargement Package!

Albania’s legal and regulatory framework on the right to freedom of assembly and association is generally in line with international standards. However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary rules and protocols aimed at preventing the spread of the infection brought limitations to the freedom of assembly.

The law on registration of Non-Profit Organisations, adopted in June 2021 aims at introducing an electronic register, which will ease the registration process and increase transparency and accuracy of the register of non governmental organisations (NGOs). It also aims at fulfilling the FATF Action Plan (see Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security). The roadmap on an enabling environment for civil society remains strongly dependent on donors’ support. The implementation of its measures is slow and no impact on the sector has been noticed so far. Additional efforts and resources are required to accelerate its implementation, in order to create a more conducive environment for the civil society to operate and to contribute to the adoption of sound policies and laws.

While the 2014 Law on public consultation, laying down the procedural norms for transparency and public participation in decision-making, is generally in line with European standards, consultations often remain artificial exercises. In addition, the scope of the law needs to be extended to government decisions. The guidelines and monitoring framework for public consultation adopted in January aim to improve governance arrangements for a better implementation of the law (see also Public Administration reform).

The ability of the National Council for Civil Society to voice priorities of civil society organisations (CSOs) in policy-making processes is still weak. The Law on the National Council has not been amended to reflect changes in ministerial portfolios and representation in the Council, and to improve its functioning. The Agency for the Support of Civil Society remains the main public body providing financial support for civil society, but its budget was reduced by 40% in 2020, making public funding insufficient to sustain CSOs’ activity, in particular in social services.

There is yet no evidence of successful VAT refund with regard to the implementation of the instruction on VAT reimbursement for CSO beneficiaries of EU funding and other donor grants. Tax incentives for corporate donations do not promote donations to CSOs and there are no tax incentives for individual donations.

The Graduation Ceremony of the NPO Academy 2020 participants

The closing of the NPO Academy program, culminates with the graduation ceremony that this year was held on December 20, 2020. Although under the anti-Covid-19 measures, participants now Alumni, got together to crown a year of efforts and investment in increasing their individual knowledge as well as further organizational consolidation of their organization. During the ceremony, the graduated participants expressed their appreciation for participating in this program, focusing on the opportunities offered by the program activities such as networking and exchange of experiences between participants not only for issues of development and organizational sustainability but also for further knowledge on developments within the sector.

The Graduation Ceremony of the NPO Academy 2020 participants

The closing of the NPO Academy program, as every year, culminated with the graduation ceremony of 23 leaders and managers of new organizations but also consolidated from Tirana, Gjirokastra, Korça, Durrës, Vlora, Shkodra, Fieri and Pogradec.

Participants now Alumni, gathered, already as Alumni to crown a year of efforts and investment in increasing their individual knowledge as well as further organizational consolidation of their organization. During the ceremony, the participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the program of the Academy and all the opportunities it offers not only through lectures and mentoring but also other important activities for further professional and personal development, such as networking activities and exchange of experiences between participants, meetings for creation of bridges of cooperation with CSOs, businesses and institutions, etc.

Part of the ceremony this year was over the years Alumni, who also expressed appreciation and gratitude for the program
and shared a series of experiences and collaborations that have been made possible by participating in the Academy and other programs of the Resource Centre and Partners Albania.