Integrated Planning System
In 10 November 2005 by DCM no 692, the Government of Albania adopted the Integrated Planning System (IPS), a set of operating principles to ensure that government policy planning and monitoring as a whole takes place in as efficient and harmonized way as possible.
The Integrated Planning System is the key national decision-making system for determining strategic direction and the allocation of recourses. It is a process and a number of products that constitute a broad planning and monitoring framework designed to ensure that the Government of Albania's core policy and financial processes function in a coherent, efficient and integrated manner.
There are two core processes that cover all government organizations and activities:
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National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI), which establishes the government's medium to longer term goals and strategies for all sectors based on a national vision; and
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Medium-Term Budget Programme (MTBP), which requires each ministry to develop a 3-year plan to deliver programme outputs to achieve its policy objectives and goals within the ministry's expenditure ceiling as set out in the government's fiscal plan.
In addition, there are four core processes that affect a wide range of government organizations and activities and must be fully reflected in the NSDI and MTBP.
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European Integration
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Government Programme
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Public Investment
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External Assistance
Mission
The primary purpose of IPS is to avoid fragmentation and duplication between the government's core policy and financial planning processes.
This mission directly supports the IPS' overall goal of developing a strategic, integrated, accountable planning architecture for Albania, as well its supporting objectives, including harmonizing and streamlining existing planning and monitoring systems within the new system; realigning organizational structures to deliver the new system; and avoiding duplication of demands on ministries from central institutions.
IPS Accomplishments
Approved in 2005, IPS has been making a significant difference in the way Albania is governed. Over the last three and a half years, the Government of Albania has built a national planning system that:
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is relevant to Albanian citizens - the National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) sets a coherent path towards the core national objectives of socio-economic development, European integration and NATO membership;
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is government-owned - key IPS decisions are taken by the Strategic Planning Committee; chaired by the Prime Minister;
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is results-based - the Medium-Term Budget Programme ensures that expenditures are linked to concrete results, expressed as goals, objectives and outputs; sets of indicators are being developed for each sector strategy;
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is fiscally sound - each year, the IPS process begins with the establishment of a three-year macroeconomic forecast; policy priorities and ministry ceilings established within this framework;
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is participative - Advisory groups exists for each sector strategy; government-donor sector working groups ensure external assistance is aligned with national priorities; civil society conferences will be annually convened to review progress;
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is transparent - annual Ministry Integrated Plans and Annual Reports that indicate achieved vs. expected results will be available on DSDC and ministry websites;
