In a context where the quality of governance and institutional transparency are increasingly at the center of public and political debate, the project “Support to Parliament and Civil Society” (PACEP II) comes as a direct intervention to address some of the most structural challenges of the country’s democratic system.
This project, created and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by Global Partners Governance in Albania, aims to strengthen the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight and increase the role of civil society in decision-making processes.
In a parliamentary republic like Albania, the Parliament of Albania holds the essential responsibility of overseeing the executive and independent institutions. This function is one of the main pillars of the balance of powers and the guarantee of public accountability. However, despite the existence of legal and institutional mechanisms, their implementation in practice often remains limited due to challenges such as political polarization, insufficient capacities, and still weak involvement of non-state actors.
In this context, PACEP II intervenes with an integrated approach aimed at strengthening all components of the oversight system. The project supports Parliament in improving its oversight function, enhances the capacities of independent institutions, and empowers civil society to play a more active role in monitoring and influencing public policies. This approach seeks to create a more structured and functional interaction between institutions and civil society actors, making the process more transparent and accountable.
Regarding Parliament, the project works directly with parliamentary committees and administrative staff to improve working procedures and strengthen analytical capacities. The goal is for decisions to be made on solid grounds, supported by data and qualitative analysis, and for oversight to be as effective as possible.
Another important pillar is support for independent institutions, which play a key role in overseeing state activities. PACEP II helps these institutions draft more actionable and measurable recommendations, raising reporting standards and investing in staff training.
The third component of the project seeks to address the gap between the potential and actual engagement of civil society organizations in Albania. Although their number is high, only a small portion are actively involved in oversight and advocacy processes. Therefore, the project offers a dedicated capacity-building program, as well as the creation of a cooperation network capable of sustainably influencing legislative and oversight processes.
What makes this project particularly important is its focus on cooperation among these three actors. PACEP II aims to create spaces and incentives for mutual exchange and communication, based on the belief that effective oversight can only be achieved through collaboration.
Beyond its technical aspects, the project also reflects a broader political and social dimension. It addresses the need to build a stronger culture of accountability and to increase public trust in institutions.
At the strategic level, PACEP II is closely linked to Albania’s priorities on its path toward European integration. Strengthening democratic institutions, increasing transparency, and improving parliamentary control mechanisms are key elements in this process. In this sense, the project represents not only a development intervention but also a concrete instrument for aligning governance standards in Albania with those of the European Union.
In a political climate where the demand for transparency and accountability is steadily growing, PACEP II comes as an effort to move from formal oversight mechanisms toward their real and effective functioning—placing the citizen at the center of this process.
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