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Regional Cooperation

Mutual cooperation and dialogue with other countries in the region to strengthen common interests and promote national interests is a crucial part of our everyday work.

We are continuously working with other countries in the region by sharing best practices and collaborating for common interests in order to build a shared future, while overcoming the legacy of the past.

Ongoing Projects

Increased government accountability through a more responsive parliament

About the project Increased government accountability through a more responsive parliament project is funded by the British Embassy in Tirana and supported by the Westminister Foundation for Democracy. he goal of the project is to support the parliament to effectively exercises its roles to challenge corruption, undue influence, and political interference in democratic processes. The [...]

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Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Impact and Citizen Engagement (SELDI.net)

Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Evidence-Based Advocacy, Policy Impact and Citizen Engagement (SELDI.net) This project has been prepared by the SELDI Network on the basis of findings of the external evaluation of the current SELDI phase for the period 2018-2020 and the Report from the Result Oriented [...]

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Completed Projects

Period Donor Name of the Project Summary
June- Sept. 2022 CSD, Sofia, Bulgaria Sharp Power and State Capture in South East Europe: Tackling the Interlocking Nexus of Russian and Chinese Disinformation and Illicit Finance Flows (Case of Albania). This project addresses Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics, including media manipulation and illicit financial flows, which undermine democracy in Europe. The EU has responded by supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions, but Southeast Europe remains vulnerable to Russian influence. Countries like Serbia and Bulgaria continue to face challenges, and the EU is urged to strengthen its security and democratization efforts in the region to counter authoritarian interference.
January – September 2022 Montenegrin Pan-European Union, Montenegro Regional economic cooperation in V4 and WB6: sharing experience and knowledge in the context of Common Regional Market and post-COVID recovery The project has a regional relevance since its focus is on regional economic integration through development of the WB6 Common Regional Market using experiences from ex-CEFTA, CEFTA 2006 and V4 experiences after the full-fledged EU membership and integration into the single market (experience of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia). This project is focused on the enhanced regional economic cooperation on two levels: among Western Balkan countries and between WB6 and V4 region. Special focus is put on implications the CRM action plan can bring to whole region in terms of boosting development and growth through regional cooperation. Among the researchers team of this publication, has also contributed Zef Preçi and Ilir Ciko from Albanian Centre for Economic Research, ACER.
October 2019-March 2020 CSD, Sofia, Bulgaria Understanding and Responding to Foreign Malign Influence: Tackling Kremlin’s Media Capture Tactics in Southeast Europe (Case of Albania) The report explores the scope, means and reach of Russia’s sharp power influence through the phenomenon of media capture in Southeast Europe, including EU members Bulgaria and Croatia as well as EU aspirants Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Kosovo. The comparative assessment uncovers the instruments, channels and narratives of Russian disinformation, the impact of Kremlin messaging on societal perceptions and the increasing overlap of influence tactics between Russia and other authoritarian states operating in the Balkans, particularly China.
May 2018 – Nov. 2022//May 2014 – June 2016 EU/MCIC North Macedonia SELDI - Civil Society for Good Governance and Anti-Corruption in Southeast Europe: Capacity Building for Monitoring, Advocacy and Awareness Raising The project’s builds on SELDI’s excellence for networking, diagnostics and advocacy in anti-corruption and good governance in the Western Balkans as well as its members’ national and regional reputation. The Actions seeks to strengthen participatory democracy and the EU approximation process through consolidating and enhancing the impact of civil society engagement in the policy making and reform processes in the Western Balkan region in the area of anti-corruption, the rule of law and good governance.
2008 UNDP Nhdr Albania 2007 – Capacity Building For Eu Integration The National Human Development Report (NHDR) Albania 2009 focused on "Capacity Development for EU Integration," emphasizing the necessity for Albania to enhance its institutional and human capacities to meet the challenges of European Union accession. The report highlighted that many central government institutions required more expertise in policy development, coordination, and strategic planning. It underscored the importance of committed and highly skilled civil servants in navigating the complexities of EU integration, drawing lessons from new EU member states. Additionally, the report pointed out challenges such as unfilled professional positions and weaknesses in data gathering and analysis, which are crucial for evidence-based policy formulation.
September 2006 – March 2007 World Bank Preparation Of A Draft Bilateral Agreement Between Albania And Montenegro For The Protection And Sustainable Development Of Lake Shkoder/Skadar And Its Watershed The project assisted Albania and Montenegro in implementing the Strategic Action Program for the protection of Lake Shkodra, which the two countries had recently adopted. It was aligned with the IW 2007-2010 Interim Strategy and the draft IW Strategy for GEF 4, aiming to address transboundary water concerns. The project introduced ecosystem-based approaches and Integrated Water Resources Management to balance development needs with ecosystem sustainability. Given Lake Shkodra's vulnerability to pollution and excessive water withdrawal, the project sought to ensure the long-term sustainability of its environmental services.
2006 Kosovo Foundation for Open Society and the UNDP Office in Kosovo The Establishment Of Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency The Establishment of Kosovo Anti-Corruption Agency project aimed to strengthen Kosovo’s institutional framework for combating corruption and fostering transparency and accountability. The project was instrumental in creating this agency as an independent entity tasked with preventing and addressing corruption in public institutions. Key activities included drafting and implementing anti-corruption legislation, establishing mechanisms for asset declaration and verification, and building institutional capacities for effective investigation and enforcement. The project also emphasized raising public awareness about the importance of anti-corruption measures and promoting a culture of integrity within government institutions. International expertise and best practices were integrated to ensure the agency’s alignment with global standards. The initiative played a crucial role in Kosovo's efforts to improve governance, meet international obligations, and progress toward European integration.
2003 Open Society Foundation From The Ground Up: Assessing The Record Of Anticorruption Assistance In Southeastern Europe (case of Albania) This project assessed the impact of five years of donor-supported anti-corruption initiatives and public awareness campaigns across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Macedonia, focusing on the effectiveness of efforts to combat corruption and foster democratic governance. The project drew on research findings from twenty case studies to evaluate the outcomes of these initiatives and their influence on public awareness and demand for reform. While the campaigns succeeded in raising awareness and increasing citizen demand for accountability, the project highlighted significant challenges in translating this demand into concrete, effective solutions. The findings pointed to a gap between public expectations fostered by donor-driven initiatives and the actual reforms delivered, which contributed to declining trust in democratic institutions across the region.
2001 CIPE The Code Of Best SME Finance Practices In South Eastern Europe (Case Of Albania) The Code of Best SME Finance Practices in South Eastern Europe (Case of Albania) project aimed to enhance access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), recognizing their critical role in economic growth and job creation. Focused on Albania as a case study, the project sought to address key barriers such as limited credit access, high collateral requirements, and low financial literacy among SMEs. By developing and promoting a set of best practices, the initiative worked to improve transparency, trust, and efficiency in SME financing. It also engaged stakeholders, including financial institutions, policymakers, and SME representatives, to foster collaboration and create an enabling environment for SME growth. The project aligned Albania’s financing practices with regional and EU standards, contributing to the resilience and development of the SME sector in Southeastern Europe.
2000 CIPE Corruption Informal Activity And Cross-Border Trading. Impacts On Democratic Developments This report analyzes surveys of formal enterprises by ACER, along with insights from customs officials and trade experts. ACER thanks its collaborators, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and Prof. Tomas Mroczkowski for their contributions. The analysis is part of ongoing research, and feedback is welcome before finalizing the report.