From 10 to 14th of October 2011, Cooperation & Development Institute provided its expertise in EU program management and adult learning, at a high-level seminar organized with the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. The CDI Senior Expert developed the subject of Project Cycle Management, Logical Framework Matrix and implemented a 5-days long Simulation Game on the subject of Call for Cross-Border Grants.

In the EU Project management Seminar organized by the College of Europe, participants got to know EU funding opportunities which are available and explore project concept, project cycle, project design and project proposal writing. The 26 participants were professionals from public, private and non-profit sectors from both EU and non-EU countries.

For more details about the EU Project Management course, please visit the College of Europe website www.coleurop.eu.

5 June 2013

Cooperation and Development Institute launches the new initiative “Draw me the Economy”

On 5 June 2013, Cooperation and Development Institute signed a cooperation agreement for the application of modern pedagogical tools in education with SYDO Company, based in Lyon. This agreement encompasses the preparation of Albanian-language animated videos that explain the key concepts of a functioning state.

Initially drawing videos will focus on explaining economic concepts through the column “Draw me the Economy”. Every day we hear and read about the public debt, monetary policy, the competitive advantages, taxation policy, but how much do we understand them? Based on the technique of real time video drawing, the educational process is simple: in three minutes the concept is explained and illustrated thus enabling its acquisition and memorizing from the public.

In the “Draw me the Economy” video creation and preparation pedagogic specialists, economists and teachers participate and they check and approve the concept. Videos cartoons are published on the prestigious journal “Le Monde” on the third Thursday of each month.

Through the cooperation with SYDO company, Cooperation and Development Institute will implement this innovative initiative in the field of public information aiming to inform citizens about public policy and the functioning of the state in general. The first fruit of this collaboration is the drawing video “Competitive Advantage”. We wish you a pleasant view and welcome any suggestions enriching and making more useful this initiative.

The conference was held in the framework of the project “Promoting Connectivity of Internet Broadband in the Accursed Mountain Border Area”, funded by the EU IPA CBC Programme Albania-Montenegro 2007-2013.

The conference was opened by, Mrs. Milena Harito, Minister for Innovation and Public Administration, Republic of Albania and was also greeted by Mr. Vujica Lazović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Society in the Government of Montenegro, Z. Yngve Engström, Head of Operations of the Delegation of European Union in Albania.

This Project, which aims at producing a development framework and also defining the best practices in order to handle digital divide and to support the social and economic development in the Accursed Mountains border area, will promote and improve the Broadband contribution to social and economic development of the area in the most suitable sectors.

Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) is partner in this project together with the Ministry for Innovation and Public Administration, Argjiro Association, Ministry for Information Society and Telecommunications of Montenegro. CDI will be responsible amongst other for identifying additional potential sources of finance interested in investing in IBB in Bjeshket e Nemuna, for the IBB education and training component of local stakeholders and of the Information and Public Relations Strategy of the project.

For more information on the project contact us at: info@cdi.connecting-youth.org

Cooperation and Development Institute presented today the ​f​indings ​of the report ​“Albania’s Progress in the Connectivity Agenda: Transport and Energ​y Sectors”. ​The report covers the period from August 2015 to June 2016, ​by providing a general overview of ​the ​achievements and challenges of the Albanian Government ​in the implementation of the ​Connectivity Agenda​ in the framework of the Berlin Process. Th​is report is part of the Berlin Process Series ​initiated by ShtetiWeb / Cooperation and Development Institute, ​and aiming at strengthening the WB civil societ​y role in the policy-making.

Presentations and discussions at the round table were held by ​Mrs. Milva Ekonomi, Minister of Economic Development, Tourism, Commerce and Entrepreneurship; Mr. Edmond Haxhinasto, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure; Mrs. Majlinda Bregu, Head of Parliamentary Commission on European Integration and National Council on European Integration; Mr. Hans-Joachim Falenski, ​Adviser of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the ​German Parliament. This round table was ​supported by ​K​onrad Adenauer Foundation in Albania and was ​introdiced by its Director, Mr. Walter G​l​os and ​the ​Deputy Ambassador of ​the ​German Republic in Albania, Mrs. Anke Holstein.

21.11.2016
Cooperation and Development Institute / Shtetiweb in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Foundation organized today in Tirana the round table “Partnership in accession negotiations: stakeholders, structures, tasks, timetable” with the participation of representatives of civil society, business, academia and experts in the field of European integration. In this event were invited the Head of the Negotiating Team for the accession of the Republic of Serbia in the EU, Prof. Dr. Tanja Miščević and State Secretary for European Integration and Chief Negotiator of Montenegro, HE Aleksandar Andrija Pejovićto to share their experiences in the respective countries. MP Majlinda Bregu, Chair of the National Committee for European Integration was also part of this panel.

The two chief negotiators stressed the importance of a consensual strategic vision regarding the negotiations, of a guiding document for opening of negotiations and the key role that civil society should play as a bridge between the negotiating teams and structures and the citizens. Despite the two different models of involvement of civil society in the working structures, both emphasized the importance of understanding and supporting the accession process by the entire Albanian society. Prof. Dr. Miščević also stressed the importance of the involvement of local government units in the negotiation process, in order to facilitate the implementation of the following regional policies after the accession. Access to information was also evaluated to be a very important factor for all parties involved in the process, regardless of the model that negotiating structures in Albania will have.

Participants discussed the need for an inclusive process of negotiations and the importance of the preparatory phase for the institutions in it involved. They positively evaluated the exchange of concrete experiences also on specific chapters between interested parties, and committed to continue this collaboration with concrete actions.

After this round table, Cooperation and Development Institute in collaboration with National Youth Congress organized an open debate among students from Luarasi University and University of Tirana and the Secretary of State for European Integration and Chief Negotiator of Montenegro, HE Aleksandar Andrija Pejović on “Chapter 26: Education and Culture”. HE Pejović presented a complete overview of the negotiation process in Montenegro and also illustrated key moments related with Chapter 26, which is the chapter that directly affects youth. The debate with students focused on the contribution of youth organizations, the expected benefits to students from the opening of negotiations, and the obligations that will generate the accession process to our country.

23 November, 2016

 

Cooperation and Development Institute in collaboration with Kongresi Rinor Kombëtar organized an open debate with students from Universiteti Luarasi and University of Tirana, and the Secretary of State for European Integration and Chief Negotiator of Montenegro, HE Aleksandar Andrija Pejović on “Chapter 26: Education and Culture”.

The Chief Negotiator Pejović presented a complete overview of the negotiation process in Montenegro and also illustrated key moments related with Chapter 26, which is the chapter that directly affects youth. The debate with students focused on the contribution of youth organizations, the expected benefits to students from the opening of negotiations, and the obligations that will generate the accession process to our country.

The project aims to inform young organisation all over Albania about Accession Negotiations in general, and Chapter 19 and 26 in particular.

By EWB Archives – 24.04.2017

In anticipation of the Civil Society Forum Tirana, which will be held on 26-28 April, we present you with an op-ed by Ardian Hackaj from the Cooperation and Development Institute, the organization hosting the event.

Civil society role in regional cooperation

“Regional cooperation shall also include the civil society level” stated the Final Declaration of the Chair of the Conference on the Western Balkans in Berlin, in August 2014. The statement of expectations from civil society opened the way for a more structured contribution coming from the WB6 non-governmental sector. Furthermore, by emphasizing the role of an active civil society and of its constructive support in the further enhancement of democracy in the Western Balkans, the German presidency gave institutional legitimacy to the expected input of local civil society organizations in this process.

As a result, the Berlin process has given a new impetus to regional cooperation amongst WB6 civil society organizations, and to the dialogue between civil society and politicians. From this angle, Tirana CSF of 26-28 April 2017 is designed to promote and nourish the dialogue between citizens and policy-makers. More than 100 participants coming from the region and EU will contribute to the discussions. Forum’s conclusions and recommendations will be presented in the Trieste Summit of the Heads of State and Governments, on July 12th. As such, this event marks a very important step in the empowerment of the Balkan civil society through its inclusion in the early stage of regional decision-making process.

Berlin Process and peoples’ connectivity

Berlin process stands aside from the 71 existing WB6 regional cooperation initiatives because of the prominent place it reserves for the civil society. Thanks to it, regional civil society forums (prior to Tirana, CSF gathered in Vienna, Belgrade and Skopje) have become a permanent fixture of regional cooperation scene. Owing to them, the concept of people’s connectivity is gaining traction and is becoming more visible as a strategic component of regional cooperation, and of the EU Enlargement strategy.

To be in step with the political agenda of the Trieste Summit and for maximum impact, Tirana CSF debates will be focused around the priorities of the Italian Presidency: youth cooperation, rule of law & anti-corruption, small & medium enterprises networking & support, and bilateral issues. In Tirana for the first time CSO, politicians, MP, MEP, member states, EU Commission, grassroots, academia and researchers will discuss those priorities together. Background papers produced beforehand, will allow for the debates to remain focused.

Re-politisation of enlargement

The direct communication established between CSF and Balkan politicians, the regular dialogue between Balkan civil society and European MPs, the constructive and professional relationship established between CSF partners and the Presidencies of the Western Balkans Summits, are evidence of an emerging shift towards the re-politisation of the enlargement process. Through their civil society organizations and other grassroots movements, the Balkans citizens are connecting, engaging into and endeavoring to impact directly the engaged reforms and influence the policy makers.

From their side, Balkan politicians are using the progress achieved in the Berlin process as a political argument in their internal politics. The example that comes more often to illustrate this thesis are the stellar relations between PM Rama and PM Vučić. This is a welcome shift from the former use of the “neighbor” only in a negative light, and as an appeal to populist and nationalist movements. By reinforcing regional civil society links, our goal is to make regional cooperation pay off more for our politicians during the elections, as compared to the fanning of regional tensions.

CSO as a strategic actor in the enlargement process

Our objective in Tirana is to propose constructive and feasible policy measures that further support the reform process engaged by our countries in their way towards EU membership. Those proposals will pro-actively bring the voice of Balkan citizen, civil society and other non-governmental actors into the table of the Western Balkans Summit in Trieste. Working together with their counterparts in the EU, as well as with policy-makers, will increase the efficiency and the utility of the Tirana CSF policy recommendations.

Our next challenge is to solidly embed our contribution in the planning, implementation and monitoring of regional cooperation processes, being them connectivity projects or the economic reform programs. To achieve this goal, we have partnered with sector experts, businesses, grass-root organizations, researchers, etc and are establishing and solidifying working relationship with the different inter-governmental structures and actors involved in the Berlin Process. This feature of multi-actor anchoring, connection and cooperation is the novelty of the Tirana CSF, and a welcome contribution to regional cooperation and to the enlargement process.

Ardian Hackaj is Director of ShtetiWeb.org, the public policy platform of Cooperation and Development Institute. He has authored many research works on the Berlin Process, EU Enlargement and Economic policies in the WB. Mr. Hackaj has held management positions at the College of Europe, International Organization for Migration, United Nations and the EU Commission.

European Western Balkans is an official media partner of the Civil Society Forum Tirana, supported by European Fund for the Balkans, ERSTE Stiftung and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

Cooperation and Development Institute organized in Tirana, on 15th June 2017, the “Breakfast Talk” entitled “The contribution of civil society to the progress in democracy”, in the framework of the regional project “Progress in democracy” supported by European Fund for the Balkans.
In this meeting were discussed the key issues concerning the fulfillment of the political criteria such as democracy and performance in the election processes, functioning of legislative power and the supervising role on public activity fields, transparency in governance and good-governance in general, civil society’s fields of activities , practice on the freedom of speech etc.

This meeting was attended by representatives of civil society organizations, actives in the field of political criteria (democracy, rule of law, parliament, media, etc.). Mr. Afrim Krasniqi, from the Albanian Institute of Political Studies, emphasized that the political parties are the weak points of the functional democracy, and in case these parties were not functional, the system will be non-functional too. Mr. Krasniqi also stressed out that successful reforms could be achieved only through transparency and decriminalization.

Mr. Besmir Beja, from Lex Ferenda, highlighted the need to enhance the culture of civil society, who is determined to fight for its own causes. This concept would prepare us not to wait for a given democracy by the EU, added Mr. Beja.

Mrs. Enkelejda Bregu, from the EU Delegation to Albania, underlined that the EU programs in Albania and in the region are mainly focused on the involvement of the civil society in all the democratic processes, and recently the EU has opened several calls addressed to the civil society regarding its engagement in the support of the political dialogue on relevant reforms. While, Mrs. Elira Canga, from the OSCE Mission in Albania, mentioned the role of OSCE’s field of activities in support to the freedom of the press (debate platforms, reformation of ART (Albanian Radio-Television), the support of civil society), as well as the development of a professional and balanced media.

This meeting also served as a reflection on future challenges for a functional democracy in Albania.

The Belt and the Road (BRI), the modern name of the old Silk Road, is a Chinese initiative connecting China to Europe. It is composed by a mostly rail connection that goes through Asia, and a sea link that connects China ports to Pakistan, India, Africa and then through the Suez canal enters the Mediterranean Sea (its main landing station is not far away from Albania, in the Piraeus port).

This initiative aims to promote connectivity and economic cooperation amongst China and the countries that it goes through. Moreover the Belt and the Road supports the coordination of policies of the impacted sectors, increases the financial exchanges and puts a special attention to the people relations.

Europe is the terminus of this initiative and as such it plays a strategic role. For China, Europe is the most important trade partner, the main source of foreign investments, a key supporter of the Chinese economy and the focus of the BRI. This initiative aims to create stronger ties amongst those two old civilizations and markets, and to increase the concrete collaboration amongst China and Europe.

The book we are posting today, is authored by Professor Liu Zuoikoi, Director of the China – CEEC Think Tanks Exchange and Cooperation Network Office, at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. This publication has been presented in Beijing on 30 June 2017. The book provides an comprehensive and innovative analysis of technical and political factors, the perception of the European elites on the this initiative, presents the challenges and the related risks, and end providing recommendations on the public policies and necessary measures to maximize the benefits for all the partners.

In the presentation event of the book, together with research institutions and scholars from CEEC and WB6, was invited also Cooperation & Development Institute. CDI moderated the panel “The Belt & Road and 16+1 Cooperation Initiative: Risks, Challenges and Potential Scenarios”.

CDI assesses that BRI is a key factor that impacts the connectivity amongst WB6 countries as well as the connectivity amongst the WB6 region and the EU. In this optic, and thanking Professor Liu for his kind permission to publish the book, CDI offers to the interested stakeholders in Albania and to its partners involved in WB6 regional cooperation, this very relevant analysis coming from the most eminent Chinese researcher of the 16+1 cooperation initiative, and of BRI. Only a very few days before the Trieste Summit, this analysis will offer to the readers the point of view of research colleagues and scholars from China on regional cooperation, on connectivity, and on their impact on the economic growth and prosperity of participating countries.

“Europe and the “Belt and Road” Initiative: Responses and Risks”
Author: Liu Zuokui, China – CEEC Think Tank Book Series, Ed. China Social Sciences Press, Beijing 2017.

31 October 2017

Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is perceived as the major strategic initiative coming from China combining mercantile, economic, infrastructure and people-to-people components around major transport routes that connect China and Europe. At maturity, investment in the Belt and Road is expected to reach $4 trillion. 16+1 Cooperation Initiative appears as an intensification of BRI focused in a delimited geographical space and possessing a more coherent governance architecture. Here the people-to-people component of the BRI becomes visible, through the attention that non-mercantile activities such as cooperation of local government units, health, research, art & culture are promoted.

OBOR and 16+1 CI have significantly contributed to the intensification of bilateral relations. In 2016 China comes third in the volume of exchanges with Albania (with 7.1% of the total after Italy & Germany), up from the fifth place in 2012. The weight of imports from China has continued to grow over the last five years, reaching 8.8% in 2016 from 6.4% of total imports in 2012.

By January 2017, 103 Chinese-owned companies were active in Albania, focused in Tirana, Durres, Elbasan and Berat. The biggest Chinese investments however have been carried on through indirect acquisition of shares from non-Albanian owners: China Everbright Limited acquired 100% of the shares of the Tirana International Airport from a German owned company, and Geo Jade acquired management rights for the largest oil field in Albania from a Canadian company. Under the 16+1 initiative, the number of Albanian researchers, academicians and students visiting China is increased steadily. Albanian – Chinese cooperation is attracting more and more attention from stakeholders in both countries.

Based on its research on connectivity platforms and the Berlin Process, Cooperation & Development Institute is starting a cycle of events on Albania and Eastern Connectivity. The goal of the current roundtable is to contribute to an informed thematic discussion and to the enhancement of the cooperation dynamics between Albania and China. On the eve of the 16+1 Budapest Summit, this roundtable will increase the visibility of BRI and 16+1 Cooperation Initiative in Albania, enrich the discussion amongst Albanian and Chinese partners on projects of common interest, as well as bring on and discuss about challenges and eventual improvements of joint initiatives.

The participation of a mix of central and local government officials, government agencies, Chinese specialists, academicians, researchers and other think tanks, will create a dynamic context propice to efficient communication and fruitful exchange. Professor Liu Zuokui, Director of the China – CEEC Think Tanks Exchange and Cooperation Network Office, at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences will also address the event, and will present main findings of his last research on: Europe and the “Belt and Road Initiative”: Responses and Risks.

The roundtable is organized by CDI in partnership with the Embassy of People’s Republic of China to Albania, the China – CEEC Think Tanks Exchange and Cooperation Network Office, and with Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (or National Coordinator of 16+1 Cooperation Initiative).

Agenda