Inception Report – Action plan – Elbasan, Albania, 2025 – 2027

Name of Evaluator

Tjeter Vizion, Ardjana Kasa

Email

[email protected]

Member Name

Elbasan, Albania

Action PlanAction plans are at the core of a government’s participation in OGP. They are the product of a co-creation process in which government and civil society jointly develop commitments to open governmen... Title

Action plan – Elbasan, Albania, 2025 – 2027

1.1 Does a forum exist?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The Municipality of Elbasan has established a formal OGP Forum composed of municipal representatives, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. The forum has a defined structure, meets regularly, and was created following an open call for participation, fulfilling the OGP Local Handbook requirements.
However, I would recommend ensuring that the forum’s rules of procedure and operational modalities be public and accessible, including via the municipal website and info desks.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Meeting Attendance List of OGP forum
Urdher mbi Ngritjen e Grupit te Punes

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Forum establishment order issued by the Mayor of Elbasan, which formally sets up the multi-stakeholder working group from the municipality side – ORDER OF THE MAYOR on the Establishment of the Working Group

• Official invitations from the Mayor sent to civil society organizations (CSOs), which responded positively to the open call for participation, link here

• Meeting minutes documenting the initial and follow-up meetings of the Forum, confirming regular engagement and joint decision-making
 Link of the first meeting of the forum 

1.2 Is the forum multi-stakeholder?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The forum includes both governmental representatives (municipality staff and local councilors) and non-governmental representatives (NGOs, youthRecognizing that investing in youth means investing in a better future, OGP participating governments are creating meaningful opportunities for youth to participate in government processes. Technical ... More groups, women’s organizations, and academic institutions), ensuring inclusive and balanced participation.
However, I would recommend including representatives from the local private.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Meeting Attendance List of OGP forum

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Forum member list, link in our official municipality Facebook about our meeting,

1.3 Does the forum hold at least one meeting with civil society and non-governmental stakeholders during the co-creation of the action plan?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

Several meetings were held with stakeholders from civil society, the private sectorGovernments are working to open private sector practices as well — including through beneficial ownership transparency, open contracting, and regulating environmental standards. Technical specificat... More, and the community during the co-creation processCollaboration between government, civil society and other stakeholders (e.g., citizens, academics, private sector) is at the heart of the OGP process. Participating governments must ensure that a dive.... Minutes and visual evidence confirm broad participation and input at every stage.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Photo meeting.jpg
Photo meeting 2.jpg
Photo meeting 3.jpg
Photo meeting 4

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Meeting agendas, photos, participant lists

1.4 Has the action plan been endorsed by the stakeholders of the forum or steering committeeThe Steering Committee is OGP’s executive decision-making body. Its role is to develop, promote and safeguard OGP’s values, principles and interests; establish OGP’s core ideas, policies, and ru.../group?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The final action plan was reviewed and approved by the forum in its plenary session, with endorsement letters or email confirmations from non-government members documented.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Photo meeting 5.JPG
Photo meeting 6.JPG
Photo meeting 7.jpg
Email Confirmation of oshc about the commitment.pdf

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Meeting agendas, photos, and email with OGP forum

2.1 Does the government maintain a Local OGP website or webpage on a government website where information on the OGP Local process (co-creation and implementation) is proactively published?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The Municipality of Elbasan has created a dedicated section on its official website to publish all relevant information related to the OGP process, including meeting schedules, draft documents, and public feedback opportunities

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

OGP section URL on municipal website,

Forum website
Website Elbasan
Website history Elbasan

2.2 Did the government provide information to stakeholders in advance to facilitate informed and prepared participation in the co-creation process?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The municipality organized multiple public info sessions and outreach events during the action plan co-creation phase, aiming to raise awareness and gather citizen input. Events were open, announced online, and covered by local media.
However, I would recommend distributing a digital information package automatically to all stakeholders prior to each co-creation meeting.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Information about the municipality of Elbasan to all members and municipality director.pdf
Email about the final commitment with OGP forum.pdf

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Event invitations, media coverage, photo documentation

2.3 Did the government ensure that any interested member of the public could make inputs into the action plan and observe or have access to decision-making documentation?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

Regular communication was maintained through email updates, social media announcements, WhatsApp group, and in-person meetings. Stakeholders received updates on drafts, were invited to comment, and participated in working groups.

However, I would recommend implementing an online commenting platform to collect public input on drafts and updates to the plan.

Provide evidence for your answer:

121 email arrived from members of OGP forum.pdf
83 emails sent for OGP.pdf

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Email logs we have 121 emails that arrived from members of OGP forum
83 email sent from Lorena Haxhiymeri, coordinator of the forum

WhatsApp communications,

2.4 Did the government proactively report back or provide written feedback to stakeholders on how their contributions were considered during the creation of the action plan?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The action plan was made publicly available for comment on the municipal website and in public consultation forums. Citizens could submit feedback online, by email, or in physical meetings. However, I would recommend using a standardized input–response matrix to show how public feedback was addressed, and publishing it transparently.

Provide evidence for your answer:

Email about the final commitment with OGP forum1.pdf

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Consultation forms, feedback reports.

2.5 Was there an iterative dialogue and shared ownership between government and non-governmental stakeholders during the decision-making process, including setting the agenda?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

Throughout the co-creation process, both government and non-governmental stakeholders worked collaboratively to define the agenda, set priorities, and select commitments. The process included joint working group meetings, public consultations, and regular updates, allowing for mutual feedback and consensus-building. This iterative dialogue ensured that all actors had ownership of the final plan. However, I would recommend formalizing shared ownership using a Memorandum of Understanding or a structured joint implementation plan.

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

Minutes of working group meetings
• Draft versions of the Action Plan with stakeholder comments
• Endorsement letters from civil society representatives

2.6 Would you consider the forum to be inclusive and diverse?

Very

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The OGP Forum in Elbasan includes representatives from diverse sectors and communities, including women’s organizations, youth groups, and persons with disabilities. The forum design ensured balanced representation and outreach activities were targeted specifically at underrepresented groups. Participation was encouraged through open calls and inclusive consultations.

Provide references here (e.g. interviews):

• Forum composition list
• GenderOGP participating governments are bringing gender perspectives to popular policy areas, ensuring diversity in participatory processes, and specifically targeting gender gaps in policies to address gov... More and diversity representation chart
• Records of targeted consultation events

• The link to the official website of the municipality.

1 CommitmentOGP commitments are promises for reform co-created by governments and civil society and submitted as part of an action plan. Commitments typically include a description of the problem, concrete action... :

Establishing a Permanent Mechanism for Dialogue – Citizens’ Forum for Local Policy Development

1.1 Is the commitment verifiable?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The commitment includes clearly identifiable actions such as the establishment of a Citizens’ Forum, the organization of quarterly public consultations, and the publication of monitoring reports. These outputs are measurable and time-bound. However, I would recommend that, in order to strengthen the impact and sustainability of the Citizens’ Forum, it is recommended to institutionalize the participation of representatives from vulnerable groups and civil society through a clear and transparent mechanism for selection and rotation.

• Action Plan matrix with milestones
• Forum establishment act
• Annual publication calendar

Provide evidence for your answer:

Elbasan Template OGP Action Plan Roadmap

1.2 Does the commitment language/activities clearly justify relevanceAccording to the OGP Articles of Governance, OGP commitments should include a clear open government lens. Specifically, they should advance at least one of the OGP values: transparency, citizen partic... to OGP values?

Yes

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The commitment is directly linked to civic participation and transparencyAccording to OGP’s Articles of Governance, transparency occurs when “government-held information (including on activities and decisions) is open, comprehensive, timely, freely available to the pub... More. It institutionalizes citizen involvement in decision-making and ensures open access to local policy discussions, which are core OGP values.

• Commitment narrative in the Action Plan
• Consultation process documentation

Provide evidence for your answer:

OGP Local Action Plan Template Downloadable Commitments

1.3 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:

a new regulationGovernment reformers are developing regulations that enshrine values of transparency, participation, and accountability in government practices. Technical specifications: Act of creating or reforming ..., policy, practice, or requirement.

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

The Citizens’ Forum represents a new participatory mechanism not previously formalized within the Municipality of Elbasan. It introduces new procedures for consultation, participation, and monitoring.

• Forum Terms of Reference
• Municipal Order establishing the forum

Provide evidence for your answer:

Information about the municipality of Elbasan to all the members and the municipality director

1.4 Please select one option that best describes the commitment:

will result in a change of the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and/or relationship between citizens, and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).

Provide a brief explanation of your answer:

Will result in a change of the rules, practices, or policies that govern a policy area, public sector, and/or relationship between citizens, and is binding or institutionalized across government or specific institution(s).

• Approved regulation for forum functioning
• Integration of forum actions in municipal strategic plans

Provide evidence for your answer:

Information about the municipality of Elbasan to all the members and the municipality director

1.5 Are there any recommended changes to the design of the commitment to help improve its implementation?

To improve implementation, it is recommended to further invest in digital access for marginalized groups to ensure inclusive participation. Additionally, establishing a permanent monitoring body within the forum can enhance accountability and ensure continuity beyond the political cycle.

• Allocate dedicated financial and human resources to support the Forum’s regular functioning, including staff training, sharing experiences with other OGP groups, and operational planning.
• Introduce institutional mechanisms that require public authorities to respond formally to the Forum’s recommendations, increasing its influence and relevance.
• Develop a structured public communication strategy to raise awareness of the Forum’s existence, activities, and opportunities for civic engagement, using both traditional and digital media channels.
These improvements will strengthen the inclusiveness, effectiveness, and sustainability of the commitment.