National Resource Center for CSOs in Albania: Opening of negotiations for accession to the EU-engagement of civil society actors in the main structures and phases of the negotiation process, 02 February 2023, Shkodra

On 9 February 2023, EMA organized a workshop on the topic “Opening of negotiations for accession to the EU-engagement of civil society actors in the main structures and phases of the negotiation process“, within the framework of the National Resource Center for Civil Society Organizations in Albania, which is being implemented by Partners Albania for Change and Development, in collaboration with the European Movement in Albania and the Albanian Center for Population and Development. The activity was held at the ARKA center in Shkodra, which focused on the negotiation process, the role of the main institutions with particular attention to the way of inclusion and the role that civil society actors can and should play, as well as the opportunities for financing and the main funding programs of the European Union to support civil society. With the participation of 20 representatives of active organizations and associations in Shkodra, the activity aimed to increase their information and capacity building in decision-making, good governance and policy-making in the context of the reform process triggered by the country’s integration into the EU.

The meeting was opened by Arbana Halili, Coordinator of the National Resource Center  for CSOs in Shkodra, who presented the objectives of the National Resource Center. She explained the main pillars on which the Resource Center (NRC) is based and the various activities that this initiative is carrying out, focusing not only on Tirana, but also on other cities of Albania such as Shkodra and Vlora. The objectives of the Resource Center include networking and collaboration between CSOs, capacity building of CSOs, good governance and increased trustworthiness, as well as empowerment of advocacy and lobbying for an enabling environment for civil society. One component of the Resource Center is the capacity building and knowledge of CSOs on the European integration process and negotiations, and this is being done through training and workshops, such as the meeting held in Shkodra aiming to further strengthen the technical knowledge of CSOs and to increase their contribution to the negotiation process with the EU.

Nirvana Deliu, Project Coordinator at the European Movement in Albania, presented the negotiation process focusing on the level of progress and Albania’s preparation for 2022 for the 33 Acquis chapters to be negotiated with the EU, based on the European Commission Country  Report published in October 2022. Particular attention was paid to Cluster 1 of the Chapters, which consists of five chapters including Chapters 23 and 24, considered the two fundamental and most challenging chapters of this process. Another important point during her presentation was the portrayal and description of the methodology and realization of the Scorecards on Progress and Level of Preparation regarding EU accession during 2021, for Chapters 23, 24 and Political Criteria, carried out by researchers from EMA.

The next session was chaired by Geron Kamberi, an Expert on European Integration, who presented the role of civil society and opportunities for involvement in Albania’s EU accession process. He explained some of the topics such as the screening process (how explanatory meetings, bilateral meetings and reporting work). In the case of Albania which officially opened negotiations on 19 July 2022, he stressed that Albania is currently in the phase of bilateral meetings which are expected to be completed by March of this year, while the Commission’s Screening Report is expected to be published during the period March-April. An important element during the presentation was the description of the Negotiation Structure set up in 2019 and updated in subsequent years, highlighting the he European Integration Partnership Platform (PPIE) as the only space where civil society actors can be involved and engaged, and contribute with discussions, recommendations and monitoring of the negotiation process. The National Council for European Integration (KKIE) is another structure explained by Kamberi, which gives CSOs the opportunity to become part of it as the sole advisory structure of the Parliament regarding the European integration process. In conclusion, he expressed that the involvement of CSOs in the process is very important in order to represent their interests and to provide their expertise, from which an effective process would arise.

At the last session, Geron Kamberi spoke about the possibilities for support and grants from the EU for Civil Society. He explained in detail the possibilities for financing and projects from the European Union for CSOs in Albania, with a particular focus on the EU IPA funds as dedicated funds for candidate countries and gave practical advice to interested stakeholders on how to be informed and prepared for successful applications to these EU calls. The IPA III programming framework extensively refers to support for civil society, both cross-sectoral and as a specific thematic priority. He also listed some of the EU Community Programmes where Albania participates as an associated country, some of which are: Erasmus +, Creative Europe, Horizon Europe, EU for Citizens.

 A space dedicated to discussion with the participants marked the end of this meeting, where questions and comments came from the attendees, especially those interested in the possibilities of participating in Partnership Platform or National Council on European Integration, as well as the possibilities for grants from EU funds.