National Strategy for Development and Integration
The National Strategy for Development and Integration 2007-2013 (NSDI) represents the fundamental strategic document of the country that harmonizes for the first time in a single strategic document the perspective of the sustainable economic and social development, integration into the European Union and NATO structures, as well as the achievement of Millennium Development Goals. The NSDI was finalised in December 2007 and approved by Council of Ministers Decision no. 342 date on 12 March 2008. The preparation of NSDI was led by the principle of the ownership of the government.
The NSDI crystallises the medium- to long-term vision of the development of the country based on an open and transparent process, which guarantees the broad inclusion of the civil society, local government, the business community, the academic and scientific world, the Albanian political spectrum and other groups of interest. Implementation of NSDI envisages the building of policy analysis capacity to ensure that the goals/objectives of NSDI are effectively translated into concrete policies and programs at the ministry level. NSDI informs the medium-term budget process by providing a long-term direction for the resource allocation across sectors medium-term expenditure plans. Linking the budgeting to the medium to long term national strategic priorities and goals in a single strategic planning process, is the crucial goal of the adoption of the Integrated Planning System (IPS) by the Albanian Government. NSDI priorities and MTBP process provide the basis for the programming of Instrument of Pre Accession (IPA) and other donor’s assistance.
The consultation process of NSDI was carried out for the first time in Albania and was led by DSDC, aiming to gather the comments of the concerned parties, on the identification of the strategic priorities and the allocation of future financial resources. TV debates and workshops has been organised on this matter. 37 sector and cross cutting strategies by line ministries provided the essential input for the NSDI. By the end of March 2009, 24 strategies have been approved by the Council of Ministers, 9 are in the process of being approved by the Council of Ministers, 4 are in the preparation process.
The monitoring mechanism for the implementation of the NSDI and sector and crosscutting strategies is consolidating. It will further be developed by revitalization of Sector Strategies Advisory Groups, engaging civil society and other stakeholders to monitor implementation of sector strategies priorities and to consult performance indicators, which will be reflected in the respective ministry budget requests. The National Advisory Groups, comprises representatives of each individual Advisory Group and is the main body of non-government stakeholders, that will monitor the implementation of the NSDI.
