Support Ministry of Environment Albania - New Environmnet Albania Stöd Miljöministeriet Albanien Albanien har ett stort behov av förberedelser för kommande EU-förhandlingar och miljöministeriet ansvarar för koordineringen av arbetet. Det svenska stödet  till miljöministeriet och andra albanska institutioner har en nyckelroll i denna process genom det svenska stödets systematiska sektoransats och analys av de förhandlingsrelaterade behoven samt identifiering av prioriterat givarstöd. 

Föreslaget miljöprogram omfattar ett antal nyckeldokument för förhandlingarna och behov av kompetensutveckling. Programmet kommer att löpa över en två-årsperiod och har en budget på 20.3 MSEK.

Stödet ska resultera i följande huvudresultat:
1. Harmonisering av det strategiska ramverket; framtagande av övergripande miljö- och klimatstrategi samt 6 Directive Specific Implementation Plans (DSIPs).
2. Förstärkt legal harmonisering/transponeringsprocess; framtagande av transponeringsmetodik samt transponeringsplan.
3. Förstärkt institutionellt system och organisatorisk kapacitet; institutionell analys samt framtagande av institutionell utvecklings plan inklusive kapacitetsutveckling.
4. Finansiering av genomförande av kapitel 27; framtagande av finansieringsstrategi/-plan för kapitel 27.

Sidas avtalspartner är finansministeriet, vilket är fallet för alla biståndsprojekt i Albanien. Finansministeriet och dess CFCU (Central Financing and Contracting Unit) tillsammans
med miljöministeriet ansvarar för projektgenomförandet (ansvaret regleras i en projektmanual) där CFCU ansvarar för upphandling och kontraktshantering. Sida betalar ut projektmedel till Finansministeriet som i sin tur betalar upphandlad projektgenomförare/-konsult efter godkänd rapportering. Projektets budget kommer att revideras efter projektets inceptionsfas och godkännas av Sida. Albania needs to increase its preparations for the coming EU-negotiations and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE) is coordinating the work. Swedish support to the MTE and other institutions is instrumental in this process by its systematic  analysis of needs and identification of prioritized actions. The proposed environmental program covers a number of key planning documents required in the negotiation process and needed capacity building. 

The program will run over a two year period and has a budget of 20.3 million SEK.

The contribution shall achieve the following four main results:

1. Harmonization of the strategic framework in the Environmental sector/for Chapter 27; development of a cross-sector strategy for Environment and climate as well as development of 6 Directive Specific Implementation Plans (DSIPs).
2. Strengthened legal transpostion process; development of transponsition methodoloyg y and plan.
3. Strengthened institutional system and administrative capacities in the sector; institutional analysis and development of an institutional development plan, including capacity building.
4. Financing needs for Chapter 27; development of a financial strategy/plan for Chapter 27.

The agreement partner is the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) which is the case for all agreements within the development cooperation in Albania. The MFE and its Central Financing and Contracting Unit (CFCU) will together with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment implement the Project (CFCU being responsible for procurement and contract management). Sida will disburse funds to MFE/CFCU which will make payments to the procured implementing Consultant. The budget will be revised after the project's inception phase and approved by Sida. The overall objective of the contribution is to advance Albania's preparations for EU-negotiations by developing a set of strategic planning documents (policy, strategies and plans) and to increase administrative capacities to work with the long-term planning for reaching EU-standards.
The program has four short-term outcomes:
1. National political and strategic framework in the environment and climate change sector, drafted, consulted with stakeholders and approved by the responsible institutions.
2. Transposition process of EU directives in the environmental sector within the domestic legislation organized and properly planned.
3. Functional and institutional organization properly designed, ensuring clear responsibilities with no overlapping and provision of missing functions, including procedures guaranteeing coordination among institutions and internal structures, the proper planning of human resources/capacity development and of infrastructural/technological needs.
4. An integrated Financing Plan for the environment sector, prepared and communicated, serving as a baseline to ensure the proper funding for achieving EU environmental standards.