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70% of EU legislation is implemented at the local level, and Albanian municipalities are the main actors in bringing the EU closer to Albanian citizens.
The closing ceremony of the EU-funded program, Municipalities for Europe, was held in Tirana. The ceremony brought together ministers, mayors, and representatives from the Integration Units across municipalities.
As part of the project, European integration units have now been successfully established in all 61 municipalities in the country, as well as 2,200 local officials trained on EU programs, policies, and project management.
“Democracy begins at the local level. As the pace of negotiations increases and ambitious deadlines are discussed, it is essential to engage with local communities and enhance citizens’ knowledge and participation in the European Union integration process,” expressed EU Ambassador Silvio Gonzato during the ceremony.
The continued EU support for local governments is evident from the significantly increased budget of €10 million for the next phase of the “EU for Municipalities” program, which will start in 2025, offering additional grants for the benefit of municipalities and citizens.
The “EU for Municipalities” program, financially supported by the European Union, directly impacted 19 municipalities through infrastructure interventions, service improvements, and capacity-building initiatives at the local level. With considerable financial support of €1.7 million, 24 public buildings were reconstructed, and 68 public services were created or improved, benefiting over 49,332 citizens, including 32,993 young people. (November 25)