Information and promotion of European values and European integration process of Albania

Besides celebrations and promotion of European values on different occasions such as Europe Day, EMA is involved in analyzing and informing the public opinion on core issues of Albania’s path to the EU such as the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, the process of accession negotiations, Chapters of EU Acquis, and the Visa Liberalisation.

• Support in setting up the European Integration Partnership Platform Roundtables for Chapter 1, 3, 20, 28 of the EU acquis (November 2020 – June 2022) – component of the Support to accession negotiations in economic chapters of the acquis (SANECA) , a project implemented by GIZ with the main objective of supporting the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) in preparing for the negotiation process for four of the chapters it coordinates: 1, 3, 20 and 28. Throughout the assistance offered by EMA are established all 12 roundtables on the chapters coordinated by MFE; where about 500 stakeholders were identified and evaluated in a scoring methodology, meanwhile 12 meetings with members of four roundtables are being organized, in order to discuss the main issues of the four chapters of said roundtables, to provide experiences from countries in the region and EU countries such as Slovakia or Croatia as well as the promotion of PPIE using various tools like videos, factsheets, social networks, etc.

• European Union Enlargement for the Western Balkans (2019-2022) is being implemented by University of New York Tirana in partnership with EMA, under the Jean Monnet Programme, Erasmus + with the aim to Establish a Centre of Excellence The objectives of this application are there divided into three sets of activities: First, centralization of EU studies activities under one structure by creating a Center for EU Enlargement. Second, the newly created Center would become an information hub on EU studies and more specifically on EU enlargement. Third, with collaboration and engagement of European Movement Albania (one of the leading civil society organizations in Albania) and other international partners, this project aims to widen its impact and outreach by creating an important nexus between higher education institutions and civil society organizations.

• Jean Monnet “Policy Debate with academic world” (2016-2018), supported by Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency, European Commission. This project, in framework of Erasmus + Programme, aims at fostering the dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers, in particular with the aim of enhancing governance of EU policies and preparation of Albania EU Negotiation Process. A series of qualitative and well- structured EU Workshops Series, combining theoretical, practical and shared knowledge will address the most EU-related prominent issues in Albania and the region focused in EU accession chapters and priorities such as: public administration and judicial reform, the fight against organised crime and corruption, the protection of human rights and anti-discrimination policies, food safety reform, environmental challenges, etc. More information on AIEN you may find in its official webpage: www.aien.al

• Erasmus KA 3 – Youth Committee for the Future (2018), implemented by Institute for the Future and partners from Belgium, Albania, Lithuania and Spain. EMA was the partner organization from Albania. The aim was to simulate the working principles of a European parliamentary committee for the future, using methods such as technology assessment, scenario-building and foresight practices in order to enable young participants (10 participants selected from each country) both to analyze selected topics as well as to propose initiatives to be implemented to address long-term issues. During the simulation, participants discuss their ideas with local policy-makers in charge of youth and European policies, coming from the City of Naples, central government in Italy and European Parliament, including MEPs.

• Organizing youth activities on the occasion of Europe Day (2010-present) supported by European Commission, DG Communication. The main objective of this international initiative was promotion of Active European Citizenship and Intercultural dialogue through social inclusion and coexistence as fundamental values of European Union and its enlargement prospective.

• Monitoring Chapters 23 & 24 of Albanian EU accession through lenses of civil society (February 2017 – October 2017) – supported by Konrad-Adenauer- Stiftung Rule of Law Program South East Europe (RLP SEE) aims to monitor the level of implementation of reforms, (re) progress achieved in the main areas relevant to Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) and to advocate for substantial improvement in rule of law areas in the country. EMA has provided the following policy brief and monitoring reports “Justice Reform Implementation in Albania”; “Judicial cooperation in civil matters within the process of Albania’s integration into the European Union”; ” Fight against terrorism and extremism, cyber security and migration”.

• Debunking the EU integration process (September 2011 – May 2012) supported by British Embassy in Albania. This initiative aims to stimulate a more informed and cliché debate on EU integration through intervening with a series of analysis and information activities amongst interested target groups, mainly in two directions: making the key policy areas of EU integration and in particular the EC Progress Report on Albania 2011 more readable for the public opinion, and widening the scope of the debate on EU integration in terms of topics covered and actors involved.

• Cycle of Policy Forums on European Integration (January 2009 – 2011) supported by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). The overall objective of this project is to vitalize the public debate on the European Integration process of Albania and to promote EU values and policies in the context of the real transformation and development of the country.

• Towards the Enhancement of Fair Competition and a Functional Market Economy in Albania (March 2011 – January 2012) supported by European Fund for the Balkans (EFB). This research project seek to provide an overview on the implementation of the competition and state aid policies in Albania, by identifying main problems and obstacles deriving from non approximation of normative acts and lack of implementation. The aim is to identify problems, compatibility of the legislative framework of strategic sectors as well as of existing state aid schemes.

• Visa Liberalization process with Albania: How to make it a success story? (June 2010 – May 2011) supported by Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA). Through an information campaign on the rights and obligations deriving from the visa liberalization for different layers of society such as: Roma community, students, policy researchers, business community and public at large, the project contributed to turn visa liberalization a success story in the framework of Albania’s European Integration prospective.

• Aiming for quality standards for farmers and advocating with institutions (August 2008 – April 2009) supported by OXFAM GB. This initiative intended to make a significant contribution to increase the legal information on quality agricultural products across small scale farmers through an information campaign undertaken in biggest agricultural areas in Albania.

• EuroMed-Scola (October  – December 2008) supported by Delegation of European Commission in Albania. The aim of  this initiative was to contribute in increasing the information and awareness  of youth generation on the EU decision making process through a simulation game that  enhance the  social interaction  based on common values such as: pace, tolerance, freedom and civilization. During the activities organized under this project, 10 young participants from Albania were invited to discuss, debate and adopt resolutions on matters concerning Union for Mediterranean and on issues of common interest for the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with other youths from 27 EU Member State and 12 countries of Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

• Support to the network of the EU Info Points in the university towns of Albania (August 2008 – July 2009) supported by Delegation of the European Union to Albania. The overall goal of the project was bringing Europe closer to Albanian citizens, especially to the young generation, in order to improve their knowledge on different issues related to EU policies and implementation of standards imposed by the Stabilization and Association Agreement, through the revitalization of the EU Info Points.

• Supporting local government’s engagement in EU assistance programme’s (June 2008 – Mars 2009) supported by Dutch Embassy in Albania. This initiative aimed at enhancing the administrative capacities of Durres Municipality, responsible for the management of the EU funded programmes, disseminating knowledge on IPA and SSE instruments for relevant stakeholders, and enhancing the role of the civil society in the policy making process.

• Guiding the Albanian farmers in a free market (April – June 2008) supported by OXFAM GB. The overall project goal was to contribute in a better guiding of the farmer’s community and food processing industry in carrying out their day to day economic activities based on legal and institutional instrument required by the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

• Identification of the interest groups which might lose from the EU Integration Process (January  – October 2008) supported by Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA). This project implemented in partnership with Albanian Agro-business Council intended to identify social groups that might be negative affected by the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement as result of the lack of information as well as to address various structural, administrative, legal, economic and sectorial policies instruments that will improve the situation.

• Traveling to Europe (January – June 2008) supported by Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD), a Project of German Marshal Fund and Robert Bosch Foundation. This project was implemented in partnership with MJAFT! Movement, European Movement in Serbia and European Movement in Montenegro. On the focus of the project were 30 selected Albanian students, who get in touch with the EU values and culture through a 30 days European tour in some of the most important capitals of EU Member States.

• Increase of Media capacities in elaboration of European Integration Process (July 2007 – January 2008) supported by Open Society Foundation for Albania (OSFA). This initiative aimed at creating a network of skilled and trained journalists who will cover issues that are linked with the EU Integration agenda of Albania, was implemented in partnership with Albanian Media Institute, Project Leader and the Agenda Institute.

• Enhancing the role of the Parliament in the Stabilization and Association Process (October 2007 – June 2008) supported by OSCE Presence in Albania. This initiative achieved to contribute in supporting the involvement of the Parliament in monitoring the obligations deriving from Stabilization and Association Agreement, in promoting EU values and policies in the context of real transformation and development of Albania from MP’s in different constituencies in the country.