The improvement of the representative democracy and good governance can be considered as two processes that have not a finish line. Strengthening and improving them in an integrated way enables the good functioning of the rule of law. Thus, the European Centre since its founding have had special focus, inter alia the drafting and the implementation of the Democracy and Good Governance Program. In framework of this program the Centre has implemented a number of projects that have given their contribution on democracy and governance at central and local level.
Projects implemented in the framework of the Democracy and Good Governance Program:
Apr. – Jan. 2020 – The European Centre in collaboration with Open Society Foundation for Albania is implementing the project “Increasing the efficiency of the state budget through the implementation of public consultation in the justice sector“. The project aims to enhance advocacy/lobbying by organizations working in the justice field to carry out a proactive planning based on the priority needs of this sector, government-approved policies, and development strategies.
Mar. 2019 – June 2019 – The Centre in collaboration with KAS Albania are implementing the project “Empowering the role of the young women in the decision making process!”. The aim of this project is to encourage constructive youth political and civil activism, among young women in Albania, through a series of workshops, on democracy, gender equality, youth activism and participation in the decision making process.
2017 – The European Centre in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Albania implemented the project “European Standards on Democratic Election”. This project consisted in the preparation and publication on a compendium composed of two modules with the most important judgments of the Strasbourg Court, and judgments of the Electoral College. Through this project, the EC aims at promoting among judges, lawyers, public and local government officials the European standards on elections, guaranteed by Article 3 of Protocol 1 of the ECHR.
2016 – 2017 – The European Centre and the OSCE Presence in Albania implemented the project “Support the protection of children and minors from trafficking, exploitation” aimed to protect children from trafficking, exploitation and irregular migration in 5 municipalities. Among others, the project included the provision of capacity building to child protection professionals and facilitation of vocational training and employment opportunities for young people. The project aimed to establish regular local-level co-ordination to manage the assistance towards child victims and potential victims of trafficking, reduce the vulnerability of children and young people to trafficking and exploitation, while also affording adequate protection and assistance to child victims of trafficking and exploitation.
2011 – 2012 – European Centre in collaboration with ABC Foundation elaborated and implemented the project of Libohova on-line promotion, in order to highlight through the internet and social networks this southern area of Albania, and to be closer the interested tourists or other people. The main activities of the project include the study of this area, the potential bid of products and services and the compiling of a database with the offer of products and services. This project aimed to contribute to the promotion of sustainable development in local level.
2010 – European Centre in collaboration with World Bank in Albania has reconstructed the Institute of Penitentiary “Ali Demi”, which is the only I.E.V.P for women in this country. Through this project, the Centre and the World Bank have intended to contribute to the improvement of the conditions in this institution, in framework of fulfilling the international standards in the penitentiary system.
2010 – “Carrier Consulting in secondary schools”: This project was implemented with the collaboration of the World Bank and aimed to help secondary school pupils to choose the appropriate education for their future. The project promoted the benefits of the Vocational Trainings offered in Albania. This Centre and WB believed that the growing of the labour market was in need to many future professionals and in Albania, universities take almost all the students capacity.
2008-2010 – Implementation of a project to strengthen capacities and to facilitate the assistance programmes to the penitentiary system supported of AECI, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Prisons of Albania.
2008 – Implementation of two projects financed from the Soros Foundation through NOSA (Network of Open Society for Albania). The “How to apply for EU funding” project is entirely dedicated to the main municipalities of Albania. With this project, the Centre constantly aims to help these local institutions in applying for EU funding. The “The Youngsters and the EU” was implemented in the main universities of Albania, to foster the interest of the younger generation, especially students, on EU and EU integration issues.
2006-2008 – Implementation of a project to strengthen the capacities of the High Council of Justice, in cooperation with the High Council of Justice and supported by of AECI (General Sub-Directorate of Cooperation with the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe).This project funded by the EU contributed in increasing the level of independence of this institution in the direction of actions, professionalism and coherence.
2002 – Publication of a short “Guide to the main international organizations” which are operating in Albania, supported by the European Union.