Mobilizing for SDG Achievement in Albania

Objectives: Finance actions to accelerate achievement of SDGs by: Vision Statement: Actions financed by the Albania SDG Acceleration Fund will result in an evidence-based understanding of Albania's progress towards SDGs and accelerate SDG achievement Objectives: Finance actions to accelerate achievement of SDGs by: undertaking analysis of current national strategies and budgets ensuring high quality monitoring to identify gaps and risks of under-achievement strengthening capacities of Albanian institutions for programme delivery Planning: Joint biannual workplanning between the Government and UN Strategic level planning, involves development partners Built on GoA-UN Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development Aligned to NSDI II, GoA priorities 2016-2020, and EU accession Focused on supporting national strategies and action plans Informed by outcome of joint UN MAPS Mission

Some example areas of action include…. Operations: Uses previously (already) agreed UN and GoA systems to manage: Encourages joint UN action – easy to manage collaboration Overseen by Joint Executive Committee – Co-chaired by Deputy PM & UN Capitalization: Cover 10% of GoA-UN Programme of Cooperation for Sustainable Development budget Total 5-year budget is $108m – so 10% is roughly $10m Government of Albania’s initial contribution UN in Albania to seek support from global Agenda2030 fund - active by mid-2018 Seeking matching funding from Albania’s development partners Some example areas of action include….

I. Governance and Rule of Law NSDI: Good Governance, Democracy & Rule of Law SDGs: 5, 10, 16 EU Chapters: 5, 10, 18, 22, 23, 24 Support for implementation of Gender Equality Action Plan Support to independent Human Rights Institutions and human rights monitoring (UPR) Enhance reception conditions at borders & ensure systematic border monitoring Provision & scale up free legal aid services, including counselling and representation Capacitate professionals interacting with justice system & pilot community based programmes for children in conflict/contact with law at local level (Code requirement)

II. Social Cohesion NSDI: Investing in People & Social Cohesion; Good Governance, Democracy & Rule of Law SDGs: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 16 EU Chapters: 19, 23, 24, 32 Kick-starting of the Government Social Fund at municipal level Scaling-up of capacity (especially municipal) to prevent violence against women Implementation of Demographic Health Survey Outreach and capacity of Child Protection Workers/Units - 100% territory (currently in 50% of municipalities) Expanded implementation of Action Plan on Roma/Egyptian

III. Economic Growth, Labour and Agriculture NSDI: Growth through Increased Competitiveness; Investing in People & Social Cohesion; Growth through Sustainable Resources SDGs: 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 EU Chapters: 8, 11, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26 GREAT – Gender Rural Equality and Tourism Targeted integrated support for ‘100 villages’ programme Expansion of youth entrepreneurship and employment promotion

IV. Environment and Climate Change NSDI: Growth through Sustainable Resources; Investing in People & Social Cohesion; Good Governance, Democracy & Rule of Law SDGs: 6,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,16 EU Chapters: 15, 27 Support to activation of Energy Efficiency Fund (‘eco-fund’) Assist flood prevention investment Implement trilateral agreement (Albania, Croatia, Montenegro) - focus on solutions to sea pollution caused by land-based sources (river pollution that ends up to Adriatic Sea i.e Ishem-Erzeni basin) Compile automated permit requests and reports platform to standardize environmental indicators  

THANK YOU!