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1. Monitoring Report | Public consultation in Albania: The illusion of inclusion

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
01-2025
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) has released a new report: Public Consultation in Albania: The Illusion of Inclusion. This report presents the results of an in-depth monitoring of 50 laws, public policies, and strategic documents consulted by the central government during the years 2022-2023. The assessment covers 10 key government institutions, evaluating their public consultation processes in terms of: Transparency and accessibility of consultation documents; Effectiveness of the public consultation process; Public accountability during this process; Citizen participation in consultations; Ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination. In addition to the qualitative analysis of public consultation previously conducted by IDM, this assessment for the first time provides statistical data related to this important governance process. The evaluation system applied in this report provides the opportunity to compare institutions’ performance in the consultation of different acts, in relation to the aforementioned principles. Ultimately, the findings highlight a ‘’long distance’’ between transparency and participation in government consultations. The goal of this study is to contribute to evidence-based advocacy for legal reforms and the improvement of institutional practices, so that public consultations fulfill their core function – citizens’ participation and impact in decision-making.
Topic:
Transparency, Inclusion, Monitoring, and Civic Space
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, and Albania

2. The 2024 Assessment of Violent Extremism in Albania

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
04-2024
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
The 2024 national assessment of violent extremism drivers, forms and threats presents a crucial update in Albania’s fight against violent extremism, enriched by an in-depth exploration of perceptions of political extremism and other emerging threats. Building on this expanded scope, the report offers actionable insights and recommendations to enhance Albania’s preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) measures. The assessment seeks to inform and complement the efforts of the Albanian government and P/CVE stakeholders, to enhance resilience against the broad spectrum of violent extremism and ensure a proactive and adaptable response to protect Albanian society and its democratic values. As Albania nears a decade of implementing P/CVE strategies, it is evident that considerable progress has been made in tackling religious extremism, yet the evolving nature of violent extremism presents continuous challenges. Delving into the main forms and drivers of violent extremism, this report has been structured into three main chapters which analyze citizens’ perceptions through the lens of the socio-economic, political and cultural drivers used in previous national assessments, as well as a series of new questions aimed at exploring emerging threats.
Topic:
Security, Religion, Violent Extremism, and Resilience
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, and Albania

3. National Integrity System Assessment | Albania 2023

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
04-2024
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
The National Integrity System Assessment, a tool developed by Transparency International, merges in-depth research with active stakeholder participation to evaluate the effectiveness of national anti-corruption mechanisms. This assessment aims to evaluate the institutional framework, assessing levels of good governance, transparency, and accountability. It examines the roles and governance structures of independent institutions, the executive, legislature, judiciary, media, political parties, civil society organizations, businesses, and state enterprises, organized into 15 distinct pillars. Authored by IDM’s research team, this report marks Albania’s first assessment of this kind since 2016.
Topic:
Governance, Transparency, and Integrity
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, and Albania

4. Strengthening Institutional Integrity: A Path to Combat Corruption in Public Administration

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
10-2024
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
Strengthening institutional integrity is crucial for our efforts to combat corruption and enhance trust in public institutions. With this in mind, the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) conducted, for the first time, three social experiments with public administration employees aimed at measuring the culture of silence, tolerance, and reporting of corruption within the public administration. The social experiments involved approximately 70 employees from various public institutions, including the High Prosecutorial Council, the Commissioner for the Right to Information and the Protection of Personal Data, the Department of Public Administration, the General Directorate of Taxes, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Justice, and the Institute for Public Health. The social experiments generated data for researching the culture of integrity in public administration. The findings will help inform the development of effective strategies for promoting ethical behavior and strengthening integrity within public institutions. Some of the findings from the experiments are: Public administration employees with in-depth knowledge of integrity rules tend to be better informed about suspected irregularities; Loyalty to the group within public administration influences the tolerance of corruption by its members; Public administration employees lack trust in the functioning of internal institutional mechanisms for reporting corrupt actions and unethical behavior; The main factors contributing to the lack of reporting of corrupt actions include employees’ fear of the impact of reporting on their work relationships and the possibility of retaliation. By focusing on the experiences of these three social experiments, we aim to contribute through innovative scientific research to the development of a new work culture oriented toward ethics, transparency, and accountability, thereby contributing to a more trustworthy and sustainable public administration.
Topic:
Corruption, Governance, Institutions, Identity, and Public Administration
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, and Albania

5. 10th edition of “Trust in Governance”, annual public opinion poll in Albania

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
07-2023
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
The annual Trust in Governance Opinion Poll with the first organized in 2013, presents its milestone tenth edition. The 2022 report encapsulates an overview of significant trends that have emerged across years and examines the findings from the year. The Trust in Governance Opinion Poll explores public perceptions and attitudes on issues such as trust in public institutions transparency and accountability of public institutions, prevalence of corruption, level of citizen engagement in policy and decision-making, satisfaction with public-service delivery and enforcement of non-discriminatory laws and policies. It generates data that can be utilized to enhance major reforms related to good governance, anti-corruption, the judiciary and cross-cutting issues such as gender equality and social inclusion.
Topic:
Corruption, Governance, Public Opinion, Transparency, and Trust
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, and Albania

6. National PAR Monitor Albania 2021/2022

Author:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Publication Date:
07-2023
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
In its third monitoring cycle in a row, National PAR Monitor Albania 2021/2022 presents the results of the monitoring of the Public Administration Reform (PAR). Monitoring work was performed during 2021 – 2022 by IDM Albania. The methodological framework designed by the WeBER research team during the previous monitoring cycles (2017/2018-2019/2020) combines quantitative and qualitative sources of evidence. With the SIGMA principles as the building blocks of our monitoring, this report seeks to highlight the civil society perspective and that of the general public on PAR implementation, by focussing in particular at transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in policymaking. A total of 23 indicators are used to measure PAR developments in six areas: (1) strategic framework for PAR, (2) policy development and coordination, (3) public service and human resource management, (4) accountability, (5) service delivery, and (6) public finance management. For each of the areas, the report provides an assessment for each indicator, a summary of the findings, and recommendations for future action.
Topic:
Development, Services, Monitoring, and Public Administration
Political Geography:
Europe, Balkans, Albania, and Southeast Europe

7. 2021 Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index

Author:
Megi Reci and Daniel Prroni
Publication Date:
10-2022
Content Type:
Special Report
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
On 15th of December 2022, the Institute for Democracy and Mediation presented the key findings of the 2021 Civil Society Organizations Sustainability Index (CSOSI). This annual index, presents the status and development trends of civil society in 74 countries around the world, focusing on the legal environment, organizational capacity, financial sustainability, advocacy, service provision, sector infrastructure and public image. The 2021 CSOSI on Albania provided an assessment of the enabling environment for the civil society sector by analyzing a number of important developments that took place during 2021. Although the overall sustainability of CSOs did not change, there were slight deteriorations in the legal environment, advocacy and public image dimensions. The legal environment suffered a decline due to some changes in the legal framework affecting CSOs. Prolonged restrictions on gatherings, limited transparency, and the lack of opportunities to consult with the government hindered CSO advocacy initiatives, while the public image of the sector slightly deteriorated as a result of ongoing attacks on CSOs and activists. Other dimensions of CSO sustainability remained largely unchanged. The report on Albania was written by IDM in partnership with FHI 360 and International Center for Not-for-Profit Law, with the support of USAID. It is based on discussions with a panel of Albanian experts, primary data gathered through qualitative research methods, as well as data gathered from a survey administered with local CSOs.
Topic:
Civil Society, Democracy, Social Order, and Civil Society Organizations
Political Geography:
Europe and Albania

8. Anti-money laundering in Albania: What role for civil society?

Publication Date:
07-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
Topics related to money laundering and terrorist financing are not new to civil society, academia and especially the media in Albania. While the latter (media) has often reported on the phenomenon , law and economics researchers have addressed both topics, although they have done so less frequently in the context of research initiatives. Civil society, on the other hand, has been more passive regarding the phenomenon and measures against money laundering (AML), or those against terrorist financing (CFT). Except for several research organizations engaged in the field of security, anti-corruption or prevention of violent extremism, concepts such as AML / CFT became widely known to civil society actors a few years ago, when Albania took additional steps to meet the standards of Recommendation 8 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Specifically, this recommendation suggests that FATF member countries should improve the legal framework for non-profit organizations to prevent their misuse for financing terrorism. Furthermore, the issue of money laundering is most frequently addressed in public discourse and various research reports mainly in the context of confiscation of assets and illicit proceeds generated by organized crime. However, money laundering is yet to be examined in the context of high-level corruption and state capture, increased reporting on organized crime, illegitimate interests intertwined in politics, economics and beyond. The fight against law enforcement institutions against criminal groups and other “traditional” or contemporary challenges (e.g. cryptocurrencies) suggest that the AML / CFT capacities of state institutions need additional support, new skills, in-depth analysis and alternative sources of knowledge.
Topic:
Civil Society, Crime, Law Enforcement, Financial Crimes, and Money
Political Geography:
Europe and Albania

9. National Security vs. Accountability: Striking the Right Balance

Author:
Redion Qirjazi
Publication Date:
04-2021
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
Information classification is an important mechanism that governments use to keep citizens safe and protect national interests. However, when classification regimes produce excessive secrecy, they can both interfere with democratic governance and counterproductively jeopardize national security. As such, on the one hand, ‘overclassification’ can lead to reduced oversight, transparency, and accountability in the security sector, while on the other, prevent security agencies from sharing information rapidly and detect security threats in due time. Unfortunately, in the case of Albania, there still remains a disproportionate emphasis on the need to safeguard national secrets versus the right of citizens to be informed on decisions made on their behalf. Hence, as it is for every other public institution, this policy brief calls for security sector agencies to pursue a balanced approach to secrecy: one that strikes the right compromise between protecting national security and delivering good governance by ensuring transparency and accountability.
Topic:
Government, National Security, Accountability, Transparency, Classification, and Information Technology
Political Geography:
Europe and Albania

10. Together or Alone? The need for increased Albanian-Dutch cooperation to fight transnational organised crime

Publication Date:
08-2020
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
In recent years the Netherlands has voiced security-related concerns about the involvement of Albanian nationals in organised crime in the Netherlands. These concerns culminated in a request to the European Commission to suspend visa-free travel for Albanians to the EU. This policy brief argues that the current Dutch approach does not provide the best means to address issues of organised crime, such as drug trafficking, related to Albanian nationals. It identifies several inadequacies in the crime data used to substantiate the Dutch position and the way Dutch authorities publicly communicate them. It posits that greater bilateral cooperation beyond the EU accession framework could improve efforts to fight transnational organised crime effectively. The opening of EU accession negotiations with Albania may offer a window of opportunity to formulate a constructive agenda of cooperation beyond the formal EU enlargement framework.
Topic:
Crime, International Cooperation, Regional Cooperation, Law Enforcement, Organized Crime, and Legal Sector
Political Geography:
Europe, Albania, and Netherlands