Rr. Milto Tutulani, Nd.1, Ap. 4. (Dora D’Istria)
1019
Tirana
Albania
- Democracy and community development
- Others
- Research
- Youth and education
European Movement Albania is an independent, non-profit organization, combining think tank and advocacy instruments. EMA was established in February 2007, in response to Albania’s increased efforts at speeding up the process of preparing for EU accession. EMA regards European Integration as largely beneficial but recognizes that in many respects the process does not work well. Therefore we aim to promote new ideas for improving the policy development process. EMA has its organizational structure located in Tirana, and Local Coordinators in the main cities of Albania, such as Vlora, Shkodër, Elbasan and Korça. EM Albania has more than 500 young members registered as EMA’s Supporters. EMA is a member of European Movement International (EMI)
EMA is a forum for exchange of views on political, economic and social challenges that Albania is facing. It is devoted to encourage and strengthen the present democratic experiences, by promoting democratic values during the policy making process, analysis and implementation of public policies in the country. It attempts at making the policy-making process more transparent and open, and responsive to the public interest, offering alternative suggestions based on evidenced research. EMA’s objectives are: 1. To improve the quality of the public debate on the European Integration process. 2. To promote new ideas for improving the policy development process in order to respond to the citizen’s needs. 3. To encourage and strengthen the present democratic experiences, by promoting democratic values during the policy-making process, analysis and implementation of public policies in the country. 4. To make the policy-making process more transparent and open, and responsive to the public interest, offering alternative suggestions based on professional research and surveys.
Considering the needs and challenges of the Albanian society in this transformation process, as well as EMA goals, its work is focused on:
-policy research, analysis, advice and advocacy;
-capacity building and training;
-public debates and policy forums;
-developing monitoring indicators on certain issues of significant importance for the public.
Activities fall under one of these program areas:
– Promotion of European values and European Integration process of Albania - activities aim in increasing capacity building of CSOs and other non-state actors in national and local level and to promote the cooperation of governmental and civil society sector with the aim to strengthen capacities and capabilities in order to be able to meet all the criteria of the EU integration;
– Democracy and good governance - implementing activities focused on rule of law; strengthening of democracy; human rights; assessing the legal framework; and EU accession negotiation process; accelerating the local democracy; inclusion of all sectors of society in the policy-making process
– Economic and social dimensions of EU integration - various activities and projects on migrants and asylum seekers; consumer protection; environment protection; agriculture; employment and four freedoms of movement; socio-economic impact of EU Integration;
– Regional cooperation - activities focused on regional cooperation on matters like EU integration process of WB; IPA and absorption capacities, regional cohesion, connectivity, strengthening of democracy in WB; - Activities including Youth aiming their empowerment and inclusion in policy-making process like Europe Day Project; Jean Monnet projects; Various Erasmus projects (KA1; KA3) etc.
EMA will take part and play an active role in initiatives and activities that the Network will implement in Albania and outside the country. Moreover, as it has a wide and various network of collaborators and partners, EMA will share the relevant information with our network and motivate them to be engaged. EMA is eager to contribute with ideas and suggestions in cases when this is needed and requested, in order to strengthen the network in Albania or for future activities and collaborations the network may take.
Being part of the ALF Network is important for our organization for several reasons: 1) To get informed and to be able to take part and to be engaged in various initiatives, open calls and activities organized within the network 2) To establish new partnerships and bridges of communication with NGO-s and other institutions in all the countries of the ALF network 3) To contribute with ideas, suggestions and feedback in order to make the network more dynamic and more consolidated.