Photo Credit: USAID/Albania   Through USAID’s Local Governance in Albania Program municipalities across Albania will be able to deliver higher quality public services, including solid waste collection and disposal, lighting, sidewalk repair, and water to citizens by improving how they manage budgetary resources.

Local Governance Program in Albania

Duration: September 2007-June 2011

Partners: ARD, Inc.

Geographic Focus: Fier, Fushë-Krujë, Gramsh, Himare, Korçë, Kukës, Lezhë, Librazhd, Pogradec, Shkodra  

Program Description: 
Fifteen years after the fall of communism, Albania has succeeded in establishing the requisite legislation to provide local governments the authority and responsibility to operate independently of the central government. Local governments do not, however, have the means to generate enough revenues or attract sufficient investments to perform all of their new responsibilities, deliver quality services, or improve the quality of life of their citizens.

In order to stimulate local economic development and improve local governance, USAID’s program assists 10 municipalities to better plan for, attract and utilize investment opportunities, while also strengthening their capacities to effectively and efficiently manage public resources.

Program Focus:

• Promote local economic growth in ten target municipalities to increase investment, create jobs, raise incomes, and expand the tax collection base;
• Improve municipal governance through better asset management, improved tax administration, and key public service provision; and
• Mobilize public private partnerships to promote local development initiatives and improve public services.

Results:

• Improved performance of local governance in target municipalities;
• Increased direct private investment for local economic development and public infrastructure projects in target cities;
• Increase revenues and reduce costs and inefficiencies of municipal governance;
• Stimulate local economic growth to produce jobs, incomes and tax revenues; and
• Create a workable, growth-oriented partnership between the public and private sectors.

Map of Participating Municipalities[PDF, 235KB]

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