The project "Municipalities for Europe," in collaboration with the Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government and the Regional Development Programme Albania, organized a training session on June 27, 2023, at the Palace of Congresses, for the staff of European Integration Units and interested staff from Albanian municipalities, focusing on the topic "European Union Cohesion Policies."
The Agency for the Support of Local Self-Government (AMVV), functioning as the Technical Secretariat for Chapter 22 "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments," with the support of the "Municipalities for Europe" project and the Regional Development Programme in Albania, will organize two "General Training Sessions on European Cohesion Policies" for the 61 municipalities of Albania.
Mr. Arben Skënderi, the General Director of AMVV, highlighted the importance of training sessions for the staff of local government bodies in empowering their role when it comes to Albania's efforts towards integration into the EU. He emphasized that over 70% of EU legislation is implemented at the local level. Mr. Skënderi guaranteed that the institution he leads would intensify its efforts in collaboration with initiatives such as the "Municipalities for Europe" project, a project financed by the EU, in order to enhance the capacities of local institution staff.
In the same spirit, Ms. Jolanda Trebicka, the director of the "Municipalities for Europe" project, presented an overview of the results achieved through these types of training sessions and the various supported activities. These results are most evident in the number of foreign-funded projects won by the municipalities of Albania, which further strengthens the role of European Integration Unit staff.
The trainer, Mr. Denis van Dam, Director of the RDPA Project, covered topics such as "Objectives and Principles of EU Cohesion Policy," key aspects of implementing Cohesion Policy, the role and functions of Final Beneficiaries, as well as the importance of absorptive capacities.
