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Democratic Governance

We aim to promote transparency, integrity,  and accountability to help in rebuilding trust in democratic institutions.

Democracy and governance reinforce each other and are essential for preventing conflicts, promoting stability, managing crises, facilitating economic and social progress, and creating the conditions conducive to sustainable respect for human rights and the rule of law. ACER aims to strengthen participatory democracy in Albania by contributing in empowering civil society and encouraging young people to actively take part in the decision-making process, and by improving a supportive legal and financial environment for civil society.

Ongoing Projects

Regional Project “Implementing Good governance Priciples in Public- Private Partnership Governance Public-Private Partnership Projects” (Go PPP)

The project entitled: “Regional Project “Implementing Good governance Priciples in Public- Private Partnership Governance Public-Private Partnership Projects” (Go PPP)” InTER started the implementation of the project: “Implementing Good Governance Principles in Public-Private Partnership Projects (GO PPP)” in cooperation with the following partners from the region: Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (IPER) from Montenegro and […]

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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
May 2018 – Nov. 2022 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.
2011 - 2017 CIPE Building An Effective Public-Private Dialogue The initiative between the Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER), the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE), and the National Business Forum (NBF) has been developed over the past seven years in four key phases. The program, "Albania: Building an Effective Public-Private Dialogue," was designed to unite business associations in Albania around a common advocacy platform for better public policies. Starting in 2011, the first phase focused on overcoming fragmentation within the business community. ACER helped create a working group that brought together business organizations to collaborate on common issues and develop policy papers on fiscal reform and public-private dialogue. This phase also involved media advocacy and meetings with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Energy (METE) and the Albanian Parliament, helping to increase the business community's participation in policy discussions. In the second phase, the National Business Forum (NBF) was launched in 2013, expanding the network to nine influential business chambers and associations. The Forum addressed key issues like tax inspection and informality, using research, surveys, and position papers to push for policy changes, including improvements in tax inspection processes. The third phase built on this progress by focusing on regional engagement. Local meetings were held to discuss business challenges and develop the National Business Agenda (NBA), which tackled critical issues such as informality, tax inspection, and public-private dialogue. The NBF’s collective advocacy efforts, backed by research and expert collaboration, aimed to improve Albania's business climate. The final phase of the program led to significant policy outcomes, including the reduction of the tourism VAT rate to 6%. This achievement highlighted the power of public-private dialogue in shaping meaningful economic reforms in Albania.
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.
March - April 2014 OECD Investment Compact (IC) for SEE Albania Triple Helix Project The Albania Triple Helix Project aims to foster innovation and economic growth by enhancing collaboration among universities, industry, and government. This initiative seeks to create a synergistic environment where academic research, industrial application, and public policy intersect, driving sustainable development and addressing societal challenges in Albania.
Jan. - June 2013 NOMISMA (Italy) Monitoring and Analysing European Trends in Social Sciences and Humanities- Future Perspectives (METRIS III) The METRIS III project focused on monitoring and analyzing European trends in the fields of social sciences and humanities, with an emphasis on future perspectives. It aimed to identify emerging research areas, methodologies, and innovations in these disciplines across Europe. The project gathered data on current research trends and provided insights into how these fields can evolve in response to societal needs and challenges. METRIS III sought to inform policy and research priorities, fostering collaboration and advancing the development of social sciences and humanities in Europe.
Nov 2012 - Mar 2013 World Bank IPRO Customer Satisfaction Survey II The report analyzes the developments and challenges faced by the Immovable Property Registration Office (IPRO) and offers recommendations for improvement. While the types of services provided by IPRO remained unchanged from 2005 to 2010, the structure and volume of services shifted, with increased real estate transactions and decreased initial registrations, particularly in Tirana, indicating positive market trends. Investments in infrastructure and staff development have reduced informal payments and improved customer service, although informal payments for faster services still persist. Variability in service quality across local offices highlights the need for further investments in infrastructure, staff training, and modern technology. The report suggests cost-oriented and time-differentiated tariffs to improve efficiency. Despite improvements, challenges such as deficiencies in staff performance and customer dissatisfaction in some districts remain, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to strengthen human capacities and service quality.
Jan 2011 UNICEF Tirana Thematic Study: How to Improve Responsiveness of Service Providers in Albania The project “Protecting Children from Violence in Southeast Europe” was funded by the EU with the aim of strengthening capacities of civil society partners to independently monitor cases of violation of children’s rights, and violence against children in particular. The present study was designed to develop a better understanding of challenges faced by systems and service providers in identifying, reporting and responding to violence against children in the four countries covered by the project (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Turkey).
Jan 2010 – Mar 2012 SOROS Foundation Budget Monitoring Report – Main Findings and Recommendations The Budget Monitoring Report in Albania focused on analyzing the country's budget execution and fiscal performance. It presented key findings related to revenue collection, government spending, and the overall efficiency of public financial management. The report identified areas where improvements were needed, including budget transparency, fiscal discipline, and public expenditure allocation. Based on these findings, the report provided recommendations aimed at enhancing budgetary processes, improving financial accountability, and promoting more effective use of public funds in Albania.
2010 - 2012 IPTS Erawatch Research Inventory and Analytical Country Reports The Analytical Country Reports assess the evolution of national research and innovation (R&I) policies in the context of the broader EU strategy. The 2013 edition highlights developments in national policy and R&I systems since late 2012, focusing on key areas such as addressing R&I system challenges, progress towards the five ERA priorities, and advancements toward the Innovation Union. The reports also examine the status of Regional and National Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) and, where relevant, provide country-specific R&I recommendations.
Nov. 2007 – Feb. 2008 World Bank Development of Annual Review of Health System Performance and Financial Cost Estimation for Health System Strategy Implementation (2007-2013) This document represents the Expression of Interest of ACER to provide consultancy services for the project titled “Development of Annual Review of Health System Performance & Financial Cost Estimation for Health System Strategy Implementation (2007-2013),” financed by the International Development Association (IDA) credit and a grant from the Japanese Government (PHRD). The document is structured into several sections: a brief presentation of ACER, an introduction to the proposal aligned with World Bank standards, and an overview of similar assignments undertaken in recent years. Additionally, it highlights the key qualifications of proposed experts, including their relevant experience and expertise in the field.
Jan – Dec 2007 SOROS Foundation Citizens and Administration on the Way of Cooperation: The Budget That Can Be Understood and Influenced The project aimed to strengthen the cooperation between citizens and government administrations by making the national budget more transparent and accessible. It focused on simplifying budget information so that citizens could better understand it and actively participate in the decision-making process. The initiative sought to empower individuals to influence budget choices, fostering a more inclusive and accountable government. By encouraging public engagement, the project aimed to ensure that the budget aligns with the needs and expectations of the people.
2007 USAID/CASALS Monitoring of the Public Administration Attitude Towards the Ombudsman’s Recommendations The report examines citizens' access to services from the Ombudsman and the Real Property Registration Office (RIPO), focusing on complaint types, resolution efficiency, and corruption practices such as bribes. It also observes daily operations at these offices in Tirana and reviews internal regulations and procedures. Data gathered highlights systemic issues and provides recommendations for improving service delivery, despite the subjective nature of some data and citizen responses.
2007 USAID/CASALS The Citizens’ Complaints on Judicial Inspection: Increasing Transparency and Accountability of the Judiciary Toward the Public This report focuses on analyzing citizens' complaints regarding judicial inspections, with the goal of enhancing the transparency and accountability of the judiciary. It examines the nature of complaints filed by citizens, the processes involved in addressing them, and the overall effectiveness of judicial inspections in ensuring justice and fairness. The report highlights areas where improvements are needed to build public trust in the judicial system. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to strengthen transparency, accountability, and the responsiveness of the judiciary to citizens' concerns.
2007 United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Women’s Participation in the Election Process This paper examines the role of women in the 2009 Albanian elections, focusing on their involvement as voters, commissioners, and candidates. It traces the history of women’s participation in politics in Albania, noting that after the communist era, women were marginalized in public and political life. However, since the 1990s, women have started to re-enter the political and economic sphere, with the 2005 parliamentary elections showing a rise in women candidates, although Albania still ranked last in terms of women’s political representation in Southern Europe. The paper emphasizes the importance of women’s access to the political process and highlights the 2009 election as a turning point, with 23 women deputies elected, accounting for 16.4% of the total seats. The study, a collaboration between UNIFEM, ACER, ASET, and partner NGOs, monitors four aspects of the election: the implementation of the gender quota, pre-election public events, media coverage, and Election Day behavior of women voters.
October 2003 – May 2005 Royal Haskoning / DfID Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Environment, Albania The overall objective of the project is to support the sustainable development of the country via improved environmental and climate change requirements and management by enabling Government Institutions to develop, implement and enforce environmental and climate change legislation to EU standards.
2002 CIPE Public Procurement Transparency at Local Level This project focuses on enhancing transparency in public procurement processes at the local level. It examines the accessibility of procurement information, the clarity of procedures, and the involvement of local communities in monitoring procurement activities. The initiative aims to reduce corruption risks and ensure fair competition by making procurement processes more open and accountable. Recommendations are provided to improve local procurement practices, increase citizen engagement, and strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.
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.
November 1999 Government of Albania & World Bank Survey with Public Officials This survey aimed to assess the views and experiences of public officials regarding governance, public service delivery, and institutional effectiveness. It focused on identifying challenges faced by government employees, their perceptions of administrative processes, and their suggestions for improvement. The survey data was intended to guide reforms in public administration and enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of public institutions. Based on the results, recommendations were made to improve public sector performance and strengthen governance structures in Albania.
January 1999 Government of Albania & World Bank Improvement of Municipal Service Delivery This project aimed at improving municipal service delivery in Albania by enhancing the efficiency and quality of public services provided at the local level. It focused on streamlining processes, increasing transparency, and promoting citizen engagement to ensure services meet the needs of the community. The initiative sought to build the capacity of local authorities to manage resources effectively and deliver services in a more responsive and accountable manner. Through this effort, the project aimed to foster sustainable development and improve the overall quality of life for citizens.
1998 CIPE The Informal Economy in Albania — A Study on Hidden Employment and Fiscal Evasion The objective of this project was to investigate the extent of hidden employment and fiscal evasion in Albania’s informal economy. It aimed to identify the key drivers behind informal employment practices and tax evasion, while analyzing their impact on the overall economy. By examining the causes and consequences of informality, the project seeked to provide insights that can inform policy recommendations aimed at reducing informal activities, improving tax compliance, and fostering sustainable economic growth.