• Location

Tirane, Albania 

  • Organization Profile  

The Institute for Albanian Municipalities (IAM) is a civil society organization dedicated to strengthening local governance, decentralization, and regional development in Albania. As a spin-off of the Association of Albanian Municipalities, IAM brings extensive experience in supporting municipalities through capacity-building, technical assistance, and policy advocacy. IAM actively implements and supports projects under EU and international programs, promotes inter-municipal cooperation, and enhances citizen participation and transparency in local governance. 

  • Organisation Information

IAM is a civil society organization dedicated to strengthening local governance, decentralization, and regional development in Albania. As a spin-off of the Association of Albanian Municipalities, we have inherited extensive expertise and experience in local government matters. Over the years, we have successfully implemented numerous programs, including IPA Cross-Border, Interreg Med, Europe for Citizens, EU and UNDP IRAQI, among others. 

We are keen to explore potential areas of cooperation with your institution, particularly in initiatives that involve Albania. Additionally, we would be pleased to promote your activities among Albanian organizations and institutions. If this opportunity aligns with your interests, we would welcome the chance to schedule an online meeting at your convenience to discuss potential collaboration in more detail. 

IAM is committed to contributing to local, regional, and national progress through: 

– Strengthening administrative capacities of civil servants and local administrations. 

– Enhancing the efficiency of human resources in administration, fostering rural leadership, and promoting gender equality. 

– Supporting decision-making at both local and central levels. 

– Assisting in the restructuring of administrative bodies based on international best practices. 

– Facilitating the establishment of networks for inter-municipal cooperation and service delivery. 

– Promoting citizen participation in governance and improving transparency in local government. 

Our team possesses extensive experience in: 

– Implementing donor-funded projects focused on local governance, capacity-building for local officials, legal drafting, and advocacy. 

– Designing and delivering training programs on human rights, gender equality, participatory budgeting, environmental policies, urban planning, waste management, and social services. 

– Navigating inter-institutional relations and representing municipalities in national and regional working groups. 

– Supporting international organizations in their activities in Albania. 

We are particularly interested in joint actions and applications for European and regional programs related to local democracy, decentralization,technical assistance for municipalities  and inclusive governance. We also provide support to international organizations seeking to implement projects in Albania. 

  • On-going activities related to Food Loss: 

Public policy and institutional support 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has included objectives that indirectly affect food losses within the framework of national strategies for rural development. 

However, a specific national strategy for Food Loss and Waste is missing, which is a recognized gap in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda (SDG 12.3). 

  • Drivers for participating in the FOLOU TWRP 

Municipal and Regional Development Needs 

– Municipalities face rising food waste management costs

– Participation in TWRP allows access to best practices, pilot project models (e.g. food banks, redistribution systems), and possibly funding. 

  • Other actors engaged in the implementation of FOLOU TWRP activities 

Actors implementing local initiatives and data collection: 

Municipalities (especially urban ones like Tirana, Durrës, Shkodër,Lushnja etc.) 

Regional Waste Management Agencies / Companies 

Municipal Environmental or Social Departments 

Local Councils and their Committees (on agriculture, social services, environment) 

  • Relevant Links: 

https://www.fao.org/platform-food-loss-waste/regions/reu/projects/project-detail/strategies-for-food-loss-and-waste-reduction/en?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.bujqesia.gov.al/ministrja-denaj-pezullim-i-inspektimeve-te-paautorizuara-dhe-komision-i-ri-vleresimi-per-aku

🔗 IAM Website: https://iam.org.al/tag/qeverisja-vendore-ne-shqiperi-2022-raport-mbi-situaten-aktuale/ 
🔗 Linktree (IAM): https://linktr.ee/institute4municipalities 
🔗 Linktree (Agron Haxhimali): https://linktr.ee/agronhaxhimali 

Website: https://iam.org.al 

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/institute4municipalities