Informative Session on the Guideline for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, 23 December 2025

This informative session, organised with the aim of promoting the Guideline for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, drafted by Mr. Florian Xhafa within the framework of the project “Building Partnership on Fundamentals: Empowered CSOs for the EU Accession Process,” brought together representatives of civil society, the media, academia, experts, and other stakeholders interested in the European integration process and the strengthening of democracy in the country.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Gledis Gjipali, Executive Director of the European Movement in Albania (EMA), emphasized that the drafting of these guidelines, foreseen under the project, aims to support the systematic monitoring of the reform process and its progress throughout the EU accession negotiations. He informed participants that, in addition to the guide on the functioning of democratic institutions, the project also envisages the preparation of four additional guidelines covering Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), Chapter 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security), Public Administration, and the Economic Criteria. These guidelines are designed to provide clear and practical guidance on how to analyse, in a structured and detailed manner, the current state of ongoing reforms and the actions undertaken within the framework of EU accession negotiations. In this context, the guidelines serve as working tools for civil society organizations, experts, researchers, and media representatives, supporting them in conducting in-depth analyses of issues related to the adoption and implementation of key reforms; progress in meeting priorities set by national and EU institutions; the identification of gaps and key challenges in the legislative and institutional framework; as well as monitoring the involvement of CSOs and other actors in the accession process and the functioning of negotiation structures.

Mr. Florian Xhafa, Executive Director of the Institute for Policy and Law (IPL), then presented the guideline he had drafted, which analyses and provides a structured approach for civil society monitoring of areas directly linked to the effective functioning of democratic institutions. He stressed that the guideline goes beyond a purely theoretical level, offering concrete practical examples, including references to strategic documents and other illustrative practices, making it both usable and applicable in practice. The significance of this guideline lies particularly in its use of measurable indicators and the application of a structured monitoring cycle, which includes data collection and analysis, institutional dialogue, and the follow-up of concrete recommendations presented at the end of the document. Mr. Xhafa added that the guide provides a clear framework for monitoring reforms in three key and measurable areas: the electoral process (including the implementation of ODIHR recommendations on campaign financing, the use of state resources, and election administration); the functioning of Parliament (parliamentary oversight, hearings, post-legislative scrutiny, and the transparency of parliamentary committees); as well as the role of civil society and participatory democracy (public consultations, the functioning of the Partnership Platform for European Integration – PPEI, access to information, and the role of free media). In conclusion, it was underlined that the guideline directly links its analysis to European Union standards, European Commission reports, and the National Roadmap for the Functioning of Democratic Institutions, which serves as a starting point for the opening of negotiations, thereby making it an important instrument for strengthening the monitoring and advocacy role of civil society in the European integration process.

*This infomative session took place within the framework of the “Building Partnership on Fundamentals: Empowered CSOs in the EU  accession process” project, with the financial support of the European Union – IPA Civil Society Facility 2021, which is implemented by the European Movement in Albania and in cooperation with the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN), Slovak Foreign Policy Association (SFPA) and the Center for Transparency and Freedom of Information (CTFI).