Departament for Strategy and Donor Coordination

IPS

The Integrated Planning System (IPS) is a broad planning and monitoring framework which aims to ensure that the core policy and financial processes developed by the GoA function in an integrated manner.

The National Strategy for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2007-2013, was approved by Council of Ministers on 12 March 2008. The NSDI is based on 38 sector and cross cutting strategies.

External Assistance

By coordinating the external assistance in Albania, DSDC provides a government point of contact and orientation for donors with respect to strategic matters as defined in the National Strategy for Development and Integration, thus strengthening government leadership in this process...

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Regular Government - Donor Round Table chaired by Minister for Innovation and ICT, Mr. Genc Pollo takes place on 4 June 2010

On 4 June 2009 the Government of Albania held the regular Government - Donor Roundtable, co-chaired by Minister for Innovation and ICT Mr. Genc Pollo and Ambassador Robert Bosch, Head of OSCE Presence in Albania as rotating chair of the Donor Technical Secretariat. The event gathered senior officials from the Government and the donor community in Albania.

On behalf of the Government of Albania, Minister for Innovation and ICT summarized the major achievements and reforms GoA has undertaken within last six months and their impact in the development of the country and EU integration process. The recent proposal by the European Commission to waive the short-term Schengen visa requirement for Albania-said Minister Pollo is a major historical step for every Albanian citizen. As regards the strategy for the reintegration of Albanian returnees, Pollo said that it will be adopted by the Council of Ministers by mid June. Minister Pollo commented also economic situation highlighting that: the huge investments in infrastructure, and a relatively limited exposure of our banking system to international financial markets, appear to have had positive effects on the Albanian economic growth.

According to Minister the fight against crime, corruption, including money laundering remains an area of utmost importance and donors have supported with different project in strengthening anti-corruption measures. Regarding public administration, the vision of GoA is a small, effective and impartial public administration based on professional merit.

Ambassador Bosch addressed the roundtable on behalf of the donor community and expressed their satisfaction with the considerable progress made towards the implementation of the Integrated Planning System, which will also help to better align the external assistance with government priorities. “We hope that the capacities that have been strengthened over the past years with donor assistance will be retained and used in the most optimal manner possible,” he said. Bosch added that although major efforts have been made by the Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination to co-ordinate the sector working group architecture,donors hoped that line ministries would assume a more active approach in line with the Paris Declaration.

A briefing on the “Fast Track Initiative on Division of Labour” lately adopted by GoA and EU donors, and facilitated by Italy, was given by H.E Italian Ambassador Saba D’Elia. “The Government’s firm commitment to aid effectiveness has ensured that the process of Fast Tracking Division of Labour among European donors is thoroughly in line with the Albanian Harmonization Action Plan. And I would also take the chance to extend my thanks to all the participating donors, which have fully contributed with their time, resources and ideas” – said the Ambassador during his speech.

In response to donors’ concern relating to VAT reimbursement, raised also in the last meeting, a report was prepared by Ministry of Finance and distributed to participants together with update information on macroeconomic situation in Albania.

The DSDC Director, Valbona Kuko, made a detailed presentation of the IPS implementation and Progress on NSDI monitoring, highlighting that the country reached the stage where the strategic framework is in place and the focus now should shift on monitoring. Director Kuko recognised the achievements of the joint work of Government and donor community in strengthening coordination through Sector Working Groups (SWGs), on embracing and adopting new coordination mechanisms aiming accountability and managing for results.

The meeting is considered to have great impact on donor coordination issues by serving as good forum for information sharing and constructive dialogue on improving effectiveness of donor aid in Albania.

Materials of the event can be downloaded here:

Agenda