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This presentation, delivered to the World Bank's External Advisory Group on Civic Engagement, explores the institutional context of civil society in Albania. It highlights historical challenges, ongoing dynamics, and the role of Non-profit Organizations (NPOs) in the country's development from a totalitarian regime to a more open society. Key data on population, GDP, and the number of active NPOs are presented, alongside an analysis of the importance of trust and collaboration among civil society actors. The ARVIN framework is discussed as an essential tool for fostering a supportive environment for civic engagement in Albania.
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Application of the ARVIN Framework to Assess the Legal and Regulatory Environment for Civic Engagement in Albania Meeting of World Bank the External Advisory Group on the Enabling Environment for Civic Engagement Initiative June 7 – 8, 2004 Auron Pasha IDRA- Albania
Presentation about… • Institutional context for Civil Society in Albania • Potential benefits of the study
Albania – Brief profile • Main data: • Population - 3.087.159 • Size – 28 478 sq.Km • GDP per capita/ - ~$ 1930 (2003) • Real Annual GDP Growth: ~6% (2003) • Private Sector Share of GDP: ~75% • Registered NPOs ~1100 • Active NPOs ~300 • (USAID NGO index 2003)
Civil Society – historical legacy • 45 years of one of the most isolated and totalitarian regime in former communist countries • Command economy – top-down decision making (although differently stated) • Collective action – “volunteerism” forcefully imposed • “Dossiers for people” • ………..as a result • TRUST among society actors is missing (crucial element of civil society)
Civil Society – Transition period • 1990- 1996 creation of CSOs mainly promoted by international projects and organizations in a “virgin” territory • 1997 – Civil disorder at the brink of civil war (impact on Civil Society) • 1999 – Kosovo Crises (Impact on CSOs – positive vs negative?) • 1999 – on, new period of dynamism of CSOs • Consolidation of NPOs • Pool of trained people with expertise • Joined actions – now obvious • 2001 – the package of NPO laws approved
….but also • High dependence on the donor money but the support is declining • Shake-out phase (most professional survive) • Emergence of GONGO-s • The filter that surrounds the government • More consolidated sector – more pressure for improving legislation and regulations.
ARVIN appropriate timing! • Civil Society and NSSED (National Strategy for Social and Economic Development) • Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU • Millennium Development Goals process
Civil Society cooperation – good signals • Civil society – increasingly important role in social, political and economic development • Joint initiatives of CSOs • Albanian Coalition Against Corruption • New movements (“Enough” and Citizen Advocacy Office) • A new umbrella in horizon (Albanian CSOs discussions to create a umbrella organization) • Cases… ………ARVIN helps the process…..
WB role…. • ARVIN – need to translate the findings into action • The link with NSSED - need for a viable civil society. • Coordinated efforts with other donors to make pressure for reforms in the area