8 March 2024, Tirana, Albania

Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA and Genti XHAXHIU, Programme Coordinator meet with Adea PIRDENI, Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption of Albania and her team, Fotjona TACE, Head of Cabinet, and Enkela DUDUSHI, Director of Department of Public Administration (DoPA).

The discussion highlighted the critical importance of strong collaboration in driving lasting reforms within Albania's public administration and revitalizing the public sector.

ReSPA is fully committed to supporting Albania in the intensive period ahead, focusing on key reform priorities to enhance human capital and build upon existing achievements in HRMD.

These priorities include:

• Elevating the public sector's image as an employer of choice;
• Refining #performanceappraisal methods through 360-degree feedback;
• Enhancing the managerial skills of public servants through tailored programs;
• Expanding ASPA's program portfolio based on successful regional and international practices, etc.

Minister PIRDENI underscored that maintaining the attractiveness of the public sector remains a top priority on Albania's agenda. To this end, Albania is developing an ambitious motivation policy to retain and attract top talent. The ministry and the Albanian Government are prioritising the development of human capital, in advancing and modernising Albania’s Public Administration, in harmony with comprehensive strategies aimed at nurturing integrity in public administration.

Director HANDJISKA-TRENDAFILOVA highlighted the role of ReSPA in assisting Albania in shaping the new draft Public Administration Reform Strategy 2030, which aims to inspire excellence in the country's public sector. Furthermore, leveraging on ReSPA’s unique regional position and linkages with the EU, both teams discussed other upcoming avenues for broader collaboration, including regional policy dialogue, mobility schemes and on-demand technical assistance, along with various other ReSPA initiatives aimed at fostering closer ties between the region and EU instruments such as ComPAct, PACE, and TSI.