Executive Summary

Findings
March 18, 2021
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2018

 

 

2019

Number of registered organizations11,426 CSOs

 

(400 new CSOs registered in 2018)

11,739 CSOs

 

(313 new CSOs registered in 2019)

 

 

Main civil society laws

–        Law no. 8788 “For the Non-Profit Organization”

 

–        Law no. 8989 “For the Registration of Non – Profit Organization”

–        Civil Code of Albania

–        National Accounting Standard for Non Profit Organizations

–        Law for the Right of Information

–        Law for Notification and Public Consultations

 

 

Relevant changes in legal framework

 

 

Law no. 25/2018 “ For Accounting and Financial Statements”

Instruction no. 34, dated 02.12.2019 “On a Modification of the Instruction No. 6, Dated 30.01.2015 “On The Value Added Tax in The Republic Of Albania”, as amended” (VAT Refund)

 

Roadmap

State funding (key bodies and amounts)For FY 2018 the budget of ASCS in grants for CSOs was 108 million ALL (approx.857,000 EUR)For FY 2019 the budget of ACSC in grants for CSOs was approx. 100 million ALL (approx. 793,000 EUR).
Human resources (employees and volunteers)8, 917 employees

 

No information on volunteers

9, 966 employees

 

No information on volunteers

CSO-Government Cooperation (relevant/new body: consultation mechanism)National Council for Civil Society
Other key challenges–          Lack of unified data and accurate information for CSOs

 

–          Financial viability and sustainability of the sector remains weak. The sector is donor dependent, and the foreign donor support constitutes the main source of their incomes.

Lack of data and accurate information for CSOs

 

 

-Financial viability and sustainability of the sector remains weak. The sector is donor dependent, and the foreign donor support constitutes the main source of their incomes.

Key findings of the report

In general, the legal framework governing registration of CSOs is regulated in most of its aspects. However, it still presents some problematic issues in terms of centralization of registration/re-registration process in Tirana, and lack of an electronic register with comprehensive records for the CSO sector.

In the last year, it is noticed an increased state institutions control over CSOs operations through approved laws, especially under money – laundry and anti-terrorist package that impede the independence of the sector.

In July 2019, the Albanian Government approved the Road Map for the Government Policy towards a More Enabling Environment for Civil Society Development 2019-2023. The document reflects a revised version of The Road Map 2015 – 2018, which almost 80% of the actions proposed were not implemented. The establishment of the National Council for Civil Society hardly has conducted any productive discussion in voicing CSOs priorities in policy-making processes and as result has limited the wide participation and engagement of CSOs in those processes. In addition, it is noticed a lack of interaction of the members from civil society in the Council with other CSOs that they represent.

With regards to social service, CSOs are one of the main providers of social services. Nevertheless, their contribution is neither fully recognized by the state, nor supported through an enabling legal framework that would facilitate their operation and access to state funds or other non-financial state support. 

Key findings of the report
1.Lack of an electronic register with comprehensive records for CSOs to be used by public institutions and other interested stakeholders.
2.Increased state institutions control over CSOs operations, through approval of laws under anti-money laundry and anti-terrorist package that impede the independence of the sector.
3.Strategies and mechanisms in place for state-CSOs cooperation (the Road Map and the NCCS) are not producing the expected results towards a more enabling environment for civil society, due to poor implementation and lack of reflection on the sector related problematics.
4.Although CSOs are the main providers of social services, their contribution is neither fully recognized by the state, nor supported through an enabling legal framework that would facilitate their operation and access to state funds or other non-financial state support.

Key recommendations

The main recommendation is with regards to public data. The creation of the electronic register would enable comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date information on CSOs, by relevant public institutions and public. 

With regards to CSOs – state cooperation, a better regulatory framework in place and proper implementation is needed, including the one on the National Council for Civil Society.  In addition, one recommendation on this regard is the effective inclusion of CSOs in consultation processes, discussions and joint working groups for the preparation of draft laws and other regulations that affect CSOs work at the very early stage of legislative process.

CSOs are one of the main service providers. One recommendation on this regard is to support through state funding schemes for CSOs providing social services, and easy access to funding schemes, and procurement mechanisms of state funds.

Key recommendations
1.Creation of the electronic register that would enable comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date information on CSOs, by relevant public institutions and public.
2.Effective inclusion of CSOs in consultation processes, discussions and joint working groups for the preparation of draft laws and other regulations that affect CSOs work at the very early stage of legislative process.
3.Proper implementation of regulatory framework in place and revision of scope of work and modalities of cooperation mechanisms between state institutions and CSOs, as a way to reflect the changes in socio-economic and political context of the country.
4.Increased support through state funding schemes for CSOs providing social services, and easy access to funding schemes, and procurement mechanisms of state funds.
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