Projects implemented by Flag
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Projects implemented by Flag |
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Project details Support to local government in Kosovo May 2009–November 2010
This project is part of a much larger project being implemented in Kosova by VNG-I with the objective of supporting all the municipalities of Kosovo advance reform and capacity building in the context of the ongoing decentralisation process. This includes improvement of managerial competencies, service delivery and dialogue with citizens at the local level, in line with European standards. The aspects of the project implemented with Flag’s expertise concerns municipal development planning and has two component parts, which require the provision of assistance in the development of i) municipal development plans, and ii) projects for the municipal infrastructure project. Expected results:
Developing Enterprise Locally through Techniques and Alliances (Delta), follow-up September 2008–August 2010
The Delta follow-up project has two main goals: 1) encourage and promote economic growth in target cities, while building further capacities in city governments and communities for LED plan development, implementation and review and local economy assessment, and 2) enable evidence based policy making for economic growth and development. The project has many objectives broken down into four components: a) establish the process and institutional setting for LED Plan development in one Albanian city, b) establish the process and institutional setting for LED Plan assessment and review, c) municipal economic development monitoring and assessment, and d) good practice sharing and performance measuring in carrying out the LED function. Expected results:
October 2008–November 2009
This is a compilation of three different assignments (see above summary table) related to development of Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) and whose aims are to:
Expected results:
May–July 2009
The aim of this project is to provide an overview on joint regional development and decentralisation strategies and challenges in northern Albania. It will also identify challenges and achievements for EU integration, and identify potential and elements for joint cooperation based upon participatory approaches and local ownership. Both ADC and SDC have been active in Albania for the past decade and a half, and this project will help harmonise their work and increase their cooperation. Results:
Strengthening Albanian Civil Society Organisation for an improved Environment September 2005–September 2008
Flag’s main task in this project is to participate in the Waste Working Group to prepare a position paper that will be communicated in media, to government and international institutions. Specific attention will be paid to the EU and other relevant international legislation and policies. Results:
Establishment of citizens information centre and one-stop-shop in Dajç commune April 2008–February 2009
The main aim of this project is to support the commune of Dajç in the establishment of a citizens’ information centre with a one-stop-shop. This shop will improve the information and communication of the commune with its citizens, thus improving transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the commune administration. Through the one-stop-shop system the local government can introduce new management approaches and ensure quality service delivery. The one-stop-shop customer service point was opened in June 2009, when the recent upgrade of the commune administration building and its environs were put on display to the public. Results:
Providing Support to the Institute of the Environment (Agency of Environment and Forests) May 2005–December 2008
The long-term objective of this project was to develop the methodologies and systems used in the Institute of Environment, Albania, so that it can reach satisfactory (ISO) standards. To achieve this objective the short-term objective was to make a significant improvement in the institute’s competence and effectiveness so that it can achieve the following goals: provide a reliable analytical service; make a significant contribution to the National Environmental Monitoring System; provide technical support to the Ministry of Environment; improve project preparation skills. Results (achieved in close cooperation with agency staff, esp. director):
Developing the Albanian Association of Communes (DAAC) September 2005–December 2008
The DAAC project has been designed to enable the AAC to play a role in the reform of Albania’s public administration, especially in strengthening its communes. The overall objective of the project is to contribute towards improving conditions for communes, while enhancing its services. The project has so far involved recruiting executive staff, providing staff training, holding a workshop in Stockholm to develop and launch the operational components of DAAC and perform initial training for AAC staff, holding an annual steering committee meeting and twelve regional meetings, developing internal procedures for decision making, developing a strategic plan, equipping the AAC office, developing and implementing a revenue-raising plan for the AAC, assisting in improving negotiating and operating techniques, undertaking needs assessment and service delivery and assisting the association in communicating with its membership. It is planned for a General Assembly to be held in 2007. The above functions are now part of the routine work of the AAC, and during its first year the association became a point of reference and communication for Albanian governmental agencies and other national and international organizations operating in the field of local government. Results are that the AAC:
Developing a SWOT analysis for Shkodra Qark November 2008
Using some of the methodology applied in the Delta project in five of Albania’s municipalities, Flag gathered all relevant data, both published and unpublished, to undertake as comprehensively as possible an analysis of the current socio-economic situation in Shkodra Qark (County). Sources of information included Shkodra Prefecture, the Shkodra-Lezha regional development plan, Instat offices, both nationally and at the district level, and Instat’s publications, some of which are available on-line. Based upon these data and information a SWOT analysis of the County was undertaken. The information and SWOT analysis were presented to Shkodra Regional Council at a workshop, through which the analysis was fine tuned. Both the information review and SWOT analysis were left with the council for up-coming reference concerning regional development. Results:
September 2007–October 2008
This project followed on from the priorities identified in the 10-year strategic plan approved by Korça municipal council in 2006 and developed within the framework of the Delta project implemented by Flag. One of the identified priority projects was computerisation of data management and work procedures within the local government. As a result of the project, the LED department is now in a very strong position to monitor implementation and progress with both its LED strategic plan and its economic development. The municipality has been equipped through this project with two computers and associated office equipment. Procedures have now been put in place that will facilitate review of the municipality’s strategic plan and economic development. A network of data gatherers has been created, along with a discussion forum. The network can provide data rapidly to the LED department as a result of the agreements reached a result of the present project. Thus, the municipality of Korça is in a better position to undertake better and quicker decision making with respect to local governance, and is able to integrate such decision taking with its other activities. Results:
June 2008
The agenda of the study tour included a visit to four municipalities in Albania to see how the LGI/OSI/WB sponsored programme Delta (Developing Economies Locally Through Activities and Actions) was implemented. The municipalities that were visited included Durrës, Shkodra, Berat and Korça, while two seminars were held in Durrës, one with presentations made by the Albanian Ministry of Economy, AlbInvest and Flag, while the second seminar was presented by the Mayor of Lezha, the fifth municipality involved in the Delta programme. The activities that comprised in the study tour were included to increase the level of regional and inter-country cooperation, and exchange of knowledge. The Moldovan participants were involved in sessions addressing issues related to economic development, budgeting, local finances, citizens participation in drafting strategies, and developing a mission, vision, objectives, programmes and projects. Flag staff scheduled the programme for the study tour, facilitated the visit and also made a presentation on LED indicators. The tour included visits to a private business–public partnership (road development) in Durrës, an aluminium press private industry in Shkodra, an agribusiness and a wine producer in Berat, and a brewery in Korça, all of which had state of the art equipment and infrastructure installed. Develop Strategic Plans for three communes in Dibër Qark September 2007–February 2008
The aim of this project was to provide expertise and training for strategic plan development for the three communes Arras, Zall Dardha and Fushë Çidhën in Dibër Qark (County), and for the resulting plans to be published. Members of the Regional Council were to be involved in the training to be able thus to provide their experience to other communes in the county and to help develop strategic plans at other levels, such as for the Qark. Results:
Decentralisation and Regional Development in Albania October 2007
Flag provided assistance to the implementation of the project Decentralisation and Regional Development in Albania. The financing of local governments is one of the issues that the Ministry of Interior is dealing with in the decentralisation process: with decentralised functions comes the need for locally generated financial resources, such as e.g. from local taxes, otherwise the decentralisation will only be partial. The rights of local governments to tax the population are growing, and central government needs to find the means for this to be done. Flag provided advice to the Ministry of Interior, specifically on LG rights to tax the population that emerged from the findings and recommendations of a discussion paper. In particular the advice was focused on the local budget process, unconditional transfers, the auditing of local governments and the role of the treasury in LG finances. Results:
Cooperation towards a modern LGA July 2007
The Council of Europe and UNDP have developed and published a toolkit entitled Towards a Modern Local Government Association. Flag was invited to provide its expertise at a conference entitled Towards a Modern Local Government Association. The objective of the conference was to introduce the toolkit, and discuss its implementation, and to facilitate cooperation among Nalas, other LG associations and international organisations. Results:
April–July 2007
The aim of this short term project was to review ongoing and completed operational programmes and regional development strategies in Albania. Results:
Provision of expertise in training on Role of Local Government Associations September 2005–September 2008
The role of local government associations as catalysts in decentralisation reform is essential: they provide the mechanism for LGUs to represent, communicate and defend their interests. Moreover, they ought to play a role in LG capacity building, such as through provision of information and services. Thus, UNDP and CoE developed a toolkit, Transforming a Local Government Association, which subsequently had to be disseminated among those for whom it was intended. The aim of this project was to strengthen administrative and institutional capacities of LGAs, for them to become quality based service providers, and catalysts in the reform process. Results:
July–December 2006
This project emerged at the request of the mayors of several municipalities and communes in the Region (Qark) of Dibër in eastern Albania. It was implemented with SNV and, in consultation with VNG-I, aimed at finalising a programme design and proposal with the objective of strengthening local governance in the region. During project implementation, the Regional Council extended its representation with the mayors in a process that was not only participatory but also institutional, with discussions held with a group mandated by the Council. The tasks included: i) assessing the financial and absorption capacity of the municipalities and communes with respect to a trust fund, and the demand for such a fund ii) designing the rules and regulations of the trust fund iii) incorporating these points into a draft proposal and writing the budget chapter Results:
Partnership with Administration for Effective Governance, Rubik Municipality May 2005–December 2006
The objective of this project was to increase the effectiveness, capacities and standards of local government in Rubik, while creating conditions for improved quality and standards of life for the municipality’s citizens. Specifically, the project: formed working groups and ensured understanding and support for local economic development; provided support for the LED office; held capacity building workshops; prepared an LED plan; prepared a business questionnaire; documented the experiences, actors, products, investors, beneficiaries and results of the LED plan; promoted the plan’s products and LED projects; restructured economic sector organisation; installed a novel management system for local taxes and tariffs; published information on taxation; communicated with the community and gathered ideas on taxation. Results:
Accompanied self-assessment of Decentralisation and Local Development Programme (DLDP) partner LGUs September–November 2006
The objective of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) project is to assist LGUs in northern Albania assess and improve their standards of governance. The DLDP project formed a part of CAF, and involved the conducting of a pilot round of an accompanied self-assessment of eight partner LGUs (five municipalities and three communes) in the region of Shkodra, based on CAF methodology. The project held workshops to provide assistance for and advice on undertaking self assessment, strategic planning, quality management and finance issues, including local taxation, reforms in public services and administration, civil society participation, including developing means of communication and informing citizens, inter-LGU and regional cooperation and vertical integration into national policies. Results:
Local Government Leadership Programme June–September 2006
The Local Government Leadership Programme, implemented by the AAM and assisted by Flag, introduced into 15 pilot municipalities a self-assessment mechanism the conclusions from which will lead to the development of distinct Leadership Improvement Plans within each municipality. A manual for Albanian mayors was subsequently produced by the AAM for distribution nationwide prior to the February 2007 local elections. The project was implemented in three stages: i) selection of leadership team and of 15 municipalities, compilation of self-assessment questionnaire drawn up to CoE standards of an effective local authority, holding of implementation discussions with municipal staff, NGOs, public, etc., and distribution of survey ii) holding of focus-group meetings to discuss questionnaire, completion of questionnaire, preparation of improvement plans, holding of project evaluation workshop iii) design and drafting of manual, holding of workshop to discuss phases i) and ii), revision of improvement plans and finalising of manual Results:
Developing Enterprise Locally through Techniques and Alliances (Delta) October 2003–April 2006
The overall goal of the Delta project was the development of strategies and action plans for policy reform and private sector development at the municipal level while building capacities in municipal government and the business community to foster institutionalisation of public-private partnerships and development of locally-owned projects and programmes that promote sound private sector development. The objectives were to: enhance human and institutional capacities to ensure a successful project; build local capacities to undertake participatory LED strategic planning; lobby government agencies and donors to encourage support for projects identified in Delta; create conditions for promotion and replication of experiences gained. Results:
July 2004–April 2005, extended into 2006
This project aimed at the development of a website to document and promote the methodology and techniques used during the implementation of the Delta (see previous page) project in Albania. The development of web pages detailing the Delta programme was chosen over publication of a printed manual, as a website would reach a much larger audience, rapidly, and could be accessed easily by other towns and cities in other countries who have an interest in strategic planning of local economic development. Of course many municipalities in the world may not have Internet access, but many more would not have easy access to the printed copy. The aims of the project were to educate and guide municipalities, donors and experts alike in undertaking LED strategic planning, and to highlight the strategies that have been completed in Albania and which could act as a reference for other LED activities. Results:
Modernisation of Municipal Services in Selected Partner Towns March 2002–February 2005
This project aimed at modernising public services in nine selected Albanian towns. German financial cooperation was involved in the co-financing of public investments. The project mainly dealt with the following crucial municipal service responsibilities: town planning, including permits and supervision, assets, technical services, including solid waste management, related budget and financing policies, and participation of citizens and businesses in local policy making. Through this project, Flag implemented waste management and city council training. The waste management component comprised developing and publishing a regulation on urban waste management, endorsed by all participating LGU councils. Flag also assisted the development and implementation of other pilot projects in a selected number of participating LGUs, including the setting up of a compost facility in the municipality of Kuçova. City council training involved development of a Council Manual and delivery of training for all participating LGUs. Results:
Feasibility Study: Management of Solid Waste in South-East Albania May 2003–December 2004
This project aimed at improving environmental conditions and minimising health risks in south-eastern Albania, contributing thus towards the sustainable social and economic development of the region. At the end of the project a feasibility study will be compiled, including provision of information on the planning materials for the investment project. This document forms the basis for the decision of the Albanian and German counterparts to implement the project’s recommendations and scheme of financing. The project developed a modern concept on integrated solid waste management. The request for this project was drafted by five Albanian municipalities (Korça, Pogradec, Erseka, Maliq and Bilisht) that had signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of waste management. The project had two main tasks: to define the potential area for an up to date landfill as well as design the landfill itself and set up institutional capacities of the Albanian municipalities and communes in the region to run the waste management system once set up. Results:
Support to the Albanian Association of Communes to broaden their membership base (Inception Period) May–October 2004
The inception period of the project to provide support to the AAC was designed to identify and probe the problems facing the communes in Albania in general and the AAC in particular. During the inception period a range of analyses and assessments were undertaken to ensure high quality and minimized risks for the subsequent three-year project Developing the Albanian Association of Communes (DAAC), currently being implemented. The main product was a detailed project proposal for the DAAC project based on the project findings and input and desires expressed by the ACC and commune representatives. Several AAC Steering Committee meetings were held to discuss various aspects of the planned intervention to support the AAC and its members. The selection of the AAC Executive Director formed part of the inception period. Results:
April–June 2004
The project objective was the broadening of the membership base and support of the AAC and enhanced legitimacy of the AAC Steering Committee and chairmanship. The project involved preparation of the Association’s statute, which was discussed widely and accepted by the AAC members, and development of a set of procedures, delivered throughout the membership, for the AAC to gather membership fees. Project products were discussed and commissioned by 12 regional round-tables and the AAC General Assembly, which was organised within the framework of the project. Results:
Community and Public Administration Support Strategy (COMPASS, one year extension) May 2003–May 2004
The COMPASS programme was funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and had five main aims: i) improvement of the functioning of local government in Albania; ii) increased citizen’s participation in a selected number of local governments in order to stimulate social and economic development and democratisation in the country; iii) supporting the development of the AAM towards becoming a professional organisation; iv) supporting five municipalities in implementing newly decentralised tasks through a participatory governing process; v) assisting Albanian stakeholders in delivering the National Training Strategy for Local Government in Albania. COMPASS targeted central and local institutions as well as civil society in five targeted municipalities. At the central level the project supported review and adjustment of parts of the Albanian legal framework, enhancement of capacities within the Albanian Ministry of Local Government and Decentralisation and the AAM, and build up of a training network and skills to facilitate democratic and participatory local governance. At the local level it targeted the further development of capacities and expertise within five municipalities (Peshkopi, Rrëshen, Kruje, Fier and Korça) in implementing aspects of participatory policy design, priority setting, public consultation and policy implementation. COMPASS ended in April 2003 and was implemented by VNG-I as the primary contractor. The COMPASS extension period was a natural continuation of the COMPASS project and concentrated on publishing and promoting through the AAM the experiences of the previous three years of programme implementation. Management of the project was delegated to Flag, which was responsible for project planning, reporting and accounting and maintaining relations with the Albanian partners. Flag also hired Albanian consultants for specific inputs. Results:
National Training Strategy for Local Government in Albania May 2003–March 2004
This project aimed at bringing together all the Albanian and international stakeholders involved in local government training in Albania in developing a National Training Strategy (NTS) for local government. This strategy was developed following a countrywide training needs analysis, with consideration given to the needs analyses of various stakeholders. At the end of the programme a mechanism to coordinate the training efforts for local government in Albania was established with the full support of the international community and the agreement of the local stakeholders. Thus, the project coordinated and supported the establishment of a not-for-profit Training Agency for Local Government in Albania (TALGA). Results:
May–July 2003
The overall objective of this project was to contribute towards building a democratic Kosova with strong effective institutions with a respect for human rights and rule of law, whilst serving the entire population in an efficient, fair and pluralistic manner. The project aimed, through providing support to the Association of Kosova Municipalities, to: improve legislative structures for self-government, together with practical and efficient implementation mechanisms; enforce local authority participation in central decision making and decentralisation processes, by developing and enhancing appropriate consultation mechanisms and practices; increase competence, knowledge and skills of municipalities in order to ensure higher quality and effectiveness in local service provision; increase inter-municipal cooperation and partnership in Kosova, in South-Eastern Europe and with the rest of Europe. Results:
Promoting Active Citizenship at the Local Level in Albania and the FYR of Macedonia January–May 2003
The World Bank Institute’s Community Empowerment and Social Inclusion (CESI) program and Cittadinanzattiva’s Active Citizenship Network jointly implemented a project entitled ‘Promoting Active Citizenship at the Local Level in Albania and the FYR of Macedonia’. The project aimed to contribute towards transparent, accountable and responsive governance at the local level through increasing civic participation in policy-making processes. The project produced two handbooks on active citizenship, one for Albania and one for FYROM. The handbooks draw upon current practices that bring together creative and innovative ideas and show good or promising results in promoting an active engagement of citizens in both countries. Results:
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