Bashki të Forta (Strong Municipalities)

Municipal Performance

Helvetas Albania supports the development of a country-wide performance management system, complemented by a performance-based grant scheme. Municipalities are incentivized to improve governance and service delivery through measurable standards, embedding accountability into everyday practice.

Local Accountability

Municipal councils are strengthened to ensure citizens’ voices are represented in decision-making. Transparent processes and participatory governance mechanisms guarantee that accountability is not symbolic but embedded in municipal operations.

Policy Development

Helvetas Albania works with systemic actors to define minimum affordable standards for service provision and good governance. Policies are co-designed with institutions, ensuring ownership, sustainability, and institutionalization across Albania’s governance framework.

Technical Assistance

Continuous knowledge transfer and capacity building are provided to municipalities and systemic actors. This ensures reforms are not only implemented but institutionalized, enabling local administrations to independently uphold democratic and transparent practices.

Impact & Metrics

• Citizens benefit from improved municipal services such as waste management and pre-school education.

• Municipalities receive performance-based grants, linking funding directly to accountability and results.

• Municipal Councils enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement by livestreaming council meetings and conducting regular public consultations.

• Nationwide reach: systemic reforms extended to all 61 municipalities in Albania.

Partnerships & Sustainability

Helvetas Albania collaborates closely with systemic actors in local government, ensuring reforms are co-owned and institutionalized. Capacity building of municipal councils and administrations strengthens governance capacity, while sustainability is embedded into every intervention.

Human Dimension

Citizens experience tangible improvements in services and governance standards. Municipal officials and systemic actors engage in workshops and training sessions, building long-term capacity. Inclusiveness is mainstreamed, ensuring women and marginalized groups are represented in governance processes.

Project Facts

• Name: Bashki të Forta (Strong Municipalities)

• Phase: Second phase, nationwide coverage 2024-2027

• Co- Funding: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Government of Sweden

• Focus Areas: Municipal performance, accountability, policy development, technical assistance

• Reach: All 61 municipalities in Albania

Official website