Management Response

: Albania
: 2022 - 2025 , Albania (CO)
: Final evaluation of UN Joint programme Catalyzing Municipal Social Protection
:
: Albania
:

No overall management response available.
: Approved
Recommendation: The IMSPSD/PUNOs should develop/ agree with its programme implementing partners an exit strategy for the transfer of all programme results (e.g. protocols, standards, integrated social services models for the different vulnerable groups, training materials, lessons learnt) to them (i.e. MHSP, SSS and targeted/supported LGUs).
Management Response: UN agencies will further strengthen partnership with the GoA in addressing issues of social inclusion, social protection and the needs of the most vulnerable or marginalized groups in Albania, including Roma, persons with disabilities, vulnerable children, older persons, vulnerable women, women survivors and at risk of gender-based violence, single head of households, refugees, migrants etc. Documents and best practices established will be collected together with main results achieved and will be disseminated through an effective communication strategy to encourage learning and information sharing and knowledge transfer for the respective partners at local and central level.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Strengthen inclusive social services including integrated social and health care case management implementation practice: More field practice of unified case management will be provided by LNB 2 programme. UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women 2023/12 Ongoing Under the LNB 2 project, UN Women has undertaken an initiative to provide support to three target municipalities to pilot social services specifically designed to assist women with disabilities and address intersectionality issues. The project is currently in progress, reflecting the commitment to advancing inclusivity and addressing the unique challenges faced by women with disabilities in these communities.
Recommendation: The IMSPSD/PUNOs should also develop/agree with the University of Tirana/ Department of Social Work and Policy a strategy for the transfer of all relevant results and identified good practice so as to be incorporated within the Knowledge Hub platform (www.sociale.al).
Management Response: UN will organize a workshop and will partner with University of Tirana, Department of Social Work to addressing social integration of vulnerable women and girls in curricula and services.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: National ownership, Capacity development, Knowledge management
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Sustainability, Relevance
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Organize a workshop with Department of Social Work in establishing a plan of work for addressing social integration of vulnerable women and girls in curricula and services – this will be provided in the frame of LNB2 UN Women 2022/12 Completed In 2022, as part of the LNB 2 project, UN Women collaborated with the Department of Social Work to conduct a workshop aimed at formulating a joint workplan for addressing the social integration of vulnerable women and girls within curricula and services. This collaborative effort led to the establishment of a workplan and subsequent actions implemented throughout 2023 by both UN Women and the department. Notably, this included the organization of a boot camp involving students and an open auditorium session focused on the critical topic of social integration for vulnerable women.
Continuously feed the online platform sociale.al with all the resources, tools and materials produced UNICEF and other PUNOs 2023/12 Ongoing
Recommendation: The IMSPSD should capture, document, and disseminate the main lessons learnt on integrated social care services models piloted for different vulnerable groups at national and regional level, to generate governmental and donor support for their further scaling up. The final closing conference could be a good opportunity for this.
Management Response: In their continued efforts to support Ministry of Health and Social Protection, PUNOs will capture, document, and disseminate the main lessons learnt on integrated social care services models piloted for different vulnerable groups at national and regional level, and will continue efforts to generate governmental and donor support for their further scaling up
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Knowledge management, Resource mobilization
Organizational Priorities: Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Human Rights, Sustainability, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Facilitate a country knowledge sharing event between Montenegro and Albania to disseminate lessons learned during the implementation of two SDG Funded UN Joint Programmes (one implemented in Albania and the other in Montenegro) and discuss on the wider issue of social protection strengthening and poverty reduction. UNCT 2022/06 Completed
Disseminate the main lessons learnt on integrated social care services models piloted in Albania through ECOSOC Operational Activities for Development Segment. UNCT 2022/05 Completed
Contribute to the Joint SDG Fund 2022 Annual Stakeholders Meeting by disseminating the main lessons learnt on integrated social care services models piloted for different vulnerable groups at national and regional level, to generate governmental and donor support for their further scaling up. UNCT 2022/06 Completed
Recommendation: The IMSPSD should also review/ agree with UNJP “Leave No One Behind” how the results and good practice models of this programme can be further promoted to benefit LGUs.
Management Response: The recommendation is in line with LNB’s ongoing work and annual plan. MHSP has requested LNB to provide technical support to LGUs to develop Social Care Plans. While 36 LGUs have developed their social care plans with LNB’s support, it is planned to extend LNB’s assistance to 10 LGUs to review and update and engender Social Care Plans. LNB’s assistance is in synergy with similar interventions implemented by UN Agencies and other donors, and, as a result, to date all LGUs (61) have endorsed their social care plans. In addition to support for the review of social care plans, LNB capacitates LGUs to implement them including development of related budget briefs with a view to facilitate the budget planning for social care services from government at central and local level helping to push forward the change agenda with the focus on support to the most vulnerable and promote sustainability of capacities and resources.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Knowledge management, Internal coordination and communication
Organizational Priorities: Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Impact, Efficiency, Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Continue to provide technical support for the review and implementation monitoring of the Social Care Plans of selected municipalities in close cooperation with other partners and duty bearers acting at central and local level and in coordination and synergizing with the EU program on social inclusion. UNDP, UNICEF, UNW and LNB Joint Programme 2023/12 Completed Under the LNB2 initiative, during 2022-2023 UN Women collaborated with UNDP to offer technical support for the review and updating of Social Care Plans in eight municipalities with gender lenses. This joint effort aimed to enhance and refine the existing plans, ensuring they align with current needs of women and girls and evolving circumstances within the communities.
Continue to provide technical support and capacity building to targeted LGUs and enable them to assess, plan and cost the measures for social care services targeting the most vulnerable communities and on how to address their needs through the Social Fund financing. UNDP, UNICEF, UNW and LNB Joint Programme 2023/12 Completed Under the LNB 2 , during 2023 UN Women provided technical support and capacity building to 5 targeted Local Government Units to apply to finance schemes of social funs and to effectively assess, plan, and cost measures for social care services, specifically targeting the most vulnerable women of their communities. Additionally, guidance was provided on utilizing Social Fund financing to address the unique needs of these communities.
Recommendation: The IMSPSD should closely coordinate with UNJP “Support to SDG Financing” to advance the public dialogue and build a national consensus on the roadmap to create a sustainable financing framework and comprehensive social protection system in Albania.
Management Response: This recommendation contributes to consolidating and sustaining the newly established financing mechanisms for social inclusion and social care services. UN is committed to support the relevant public institutions to assess the functionality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the current financing systems versus needs at local level and capitalize on the findings for future actions. In addition, the work on Integrated National Financing Framework that is being conducted under the UNJP “Support to SDG Financing” will explore further options for financing sustainable development, including social protection, in Albania. To build a consensus on the priority actions in social protection and financing strategy, UN plans to conduct a series of National Forum based on the key outputs produced by both UNJP IMSPSD and UNJP Support to SDG Financing.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Internal coordination and communication, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Sustainability, Efficiency, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
In coordination with government partners, finalize the assessment of the financing needs and the financing landscape for sustainable development in Albania, including social protection. This assessment is part of the INFF exercise and will feed into the subsequent Financing Strategy. UNDP, ILO, UNICEF and UNW (PUNO of UNJP “Support to SDG Financing”) 2022/12 Ongoing
In coordination with the government partners validate the assessment on Expenditures And Fiscal Space Analysis Including Gender and Child Sensitive Budgeting in Albania and organize a national dialogue on social protection floor in Albania. UNICEF, UN Women, ILO 2022/12 Completed Two studies were finalized during 2022: Expenditures and fiscal space analysis https://albania.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/06/expenditures-and-fiscal-space-analysis This report analyzes the selected gender-sensitive fiscal policy and the mechanisms through which the policies affect social protection systems including women labor force participation, wage gaps, GDP growth, public fiscal balances, income distribution, and poverty. This provides essential information for policymakers that intends to adopt gender sensitive fiscal policy measures to empower women economically and, at the same time, tackle other economic and social priorities. Developing a case for investing in free universal childcare in Albania https://albania.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2023/06/developing-a-case-for-investing-in-free-universal-childcare-in-albania The study provides concrete evidence on how gender sensitive public investment has important ramifications in terms of who benefits from child care and job creation. Beyond “who” benefits, the report also presents a comparative analysis of “how much and what kind of” benefits can be expected from each additional dollar gender-sensitive public spending versus gender-blind spending in universal child care.
Coordinate efforts with European Union funded project Technical Assistance to Support the Implementation of the Social Inclusion Reforms in Albania and Ministry of Health and Social Protection to hold consultation meetings on joint work on financing mechanisms after the completion of the UN JP IMSPSD. UNDP, ILO, UNICEF and UNW 2023/12 Ongoing
Contribute to the National Policy Dialogue events that will be organized by the UNJP “Support to SDG Financing”, focusing on social protection. UNDP, ILO, UNICEF and UNW in the framework of the UNJP “Support to SDG Financing” 2022/12 Completed The events were finalized during 2022 and the final event was finalized in 27 June 2023.. The event, titled 'Financing Sustainable Development in Albania,' was a pivotal component of the UN Joint Programme, 'Strategic Policy Options for SDG Financing.' The event provided a platform for participants to reflect on the achieved milestones and actively engage in thought-provoking discussions surrounding emerging trends in financing sustainable development. Distinguished speakers and experts shared their invaluable insights, fostering a dynamic and enriching dialogue among attendees. This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of the UN and its partners to driving positive change and advancing Albania's journey towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Recommendation: Policy development support to MHSP on: (1) Further strengthening the link and the intersectoral cooperation between health care and social services institutions at local and regional level; (2) Consolidating and scaling-up the integrated health and social care model and gradually expanding it with the employment component for a more holistic approach to integrated social protection; (3) Development of a national capacity building strategy on implementation of the Law on Social Care Services (to be developed in partnership with stakeholders), so as to build a critical mass of capacities at local level to manage integrated social protection; (4) Develop new financing options to increase Social Fund base.
Management Response: Despite progress in improving the legal and policy framework on integrated social protection framework, building capacities at local level to implement it and incremental resourcing of the Social Fund and social service spending in the last two years, there is still a long way to go to provide adequate funding for integrated social service in Albania. This needs further advocacy to push it higher in the ranking of the development priorities of the central and local government backed up with evidence-based knowledge on vulnerable groups’ situation, on availability and access to social services as well as further advancing the public dialogue on fiscal policy options to produce concrete recommendations for its financing. PUNOs should continue to support the roll-out of the social protection and social inclusion policy and legal framework at the municipal (local) level, with main focus or components on: 1) strengthening the linkage and intersection of health and social care; 2) scaling-up the integrated health and social care model and gradually expanding it with the employment component; 3) national capacity building strategy on implementation of the Law on Social Care Services; 4) further development of the Social Fund to promote/ expand/ scale up social care services targeted to vulnerable groups.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: National ownership, Capacity development, Resource mobilization, Alignment with strategy
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Impact, Efficiency, Sustainability
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Support the MoHSP to operationalize the Social Fund in full compliance with the approved regulatory framework, including a national conference for the modernization of the Social Fund. UNDP and LNB Joint Programme 2026/12 Ongoing Under LNB 2, UN Women is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection to promote gender-sensitive Social Fund guidance. This support is designed to ensure full compliance with the approved regulatory framework as well. Ongoing technical assistance is being provided and work is still ongoing.
Support the MoHSP to review existing social policy guidelines from a gender perspective including through introducing gender markers to the Social Fund Guidelines and any other funding mechanism. UN Women and LNB Joint Programme UNDP, UN WOMEN, UNICEF 2026/12 Ongoing Currently, there is ongoing support from UNW for the Social Integration Policy Document, with certain aspects of the support already successfully completed. Additionally, support for the Social Protection (SP) strategy is actively continuing, highlighting a sustained commitment to enhancing and advancing these critical policy initiatives.
Continue support through LNB and SDG Financing programmes to create a conducive environment for better implementation of the integrated social protection policy and regulatory framework, creating linkages between social protection, health care and employment. UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, UNFPA, ILO 2026/12 Ongoing Most recent effort are in 2023 , UN as been actively involved in shaping and contributing to Albania's draft Roadmap and Policy Mapping for the the Global Accelerator on Decent Jobs and Social Protection for a Just Transition. UN Women's efforts have focused in influencing and enriching the development of gender sensitive strategies, aligning with the broader goals of promoting decent jobs and social protection for a just and equitable transition
Based on the findings of the INFF assessment, explore financing options for increasing the Social Fund base. UNJP “Support to SDG Financing” UNDP, UN WOMEN, UNICEF 2022/12 Overdue-Not Initiated This component should stem from collaborative efforts within the UN. It's noteworthy that no funding has been absorbed to enable the initiation of this particular component.
Recommendation: Organizational and capacity development of LGUs on: (1) Establishing Needs Assessment Referral Units (NARUs); (2) Set-up local/ municipal-level Social Funds pooling local resources, donors funding, private funding and MHSP Social Fund; (3) Capacity building and support for scaling up the model of integrated social services via an inter-disciplinary, gender and disability responsive approach respecting human rights and inclusiveness
Management Response: Although the relevant legislation requires municipalities to establish a NARU, to date most LGUs have not yet formally set up such a unit. NARUs are essential to the provision of social care under the legislation and to an integrated approach to social care provision. One of the key challenges to providing a fully integrated approach to social care services is the need to have access to shared resources. The Social Fund provides an opportunity to pool resources and to break out of the normal ‘silo’ approach whereby funds allocated to one public agency can only be used by that agency and cannot be pooled with other agencies to achieve a common objective. The structure of funding and the incentives it creates are also important. International practice indicates that funding should support providers to work collaboratively by avoiding any perverse effects of activity-based payments; promote joint responsibility for the prudent management of financial resources; and encourage the provision of care in the community rather than in institutional settings. All the UN agencies’ pilot projects have been engaged in capacity building both in relation to substance (e.g. skills in assessing social care needs) and process (how to implement a case management approach, how to apply GRB for costing and budgeting social services for vulnerable women and girls). It is necessary to have a more structured approach to capacity building, under the oversight of MHSP, involving key agencies such as the Faculty of Social Science (University of Tirana) and the Order of Social Workers and also an agency which can support implementation of capacity building (such as State Social Services).
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: National ownership, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Capacity development
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Partnership, Organizational efficiency
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Human Rights, Gender equality, Sustainability, Impact
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Design a structured approach to capacity building, under the oversight of MHSP, involving key agencies such as the Faculty of Social Science (University of Tirana) and the Order of Social Workers and also an agency which can support implementation of capacity building (such as State Social Services). UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women 2023/12 Ongoing UN Women has already yielded key initial results through collaboration and capacity-building initiatives with the Faculty of Social Sciences. This fruitful partnership will persist throughout 2024 under LNB 2
Recommendation: Advocacy and empowerment of vulnerable groups and their CSOs: Further support should be given to strengthen the advocacy, watchdog role and networking capacities of CSOs to further empower the vulnerable groups and to create a mounting public pressure and demand on local government for inclusive and equitable social services
Management Response: The improvement of the social protection system can be supported by interventions at different levels, including through the involvement of CSOs. CSOs at the local level can represent the interests of different vulnerable and marginalized groups, via advocacy, participatory budgeting/lobbying, and awareness raising actions.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, National ownership, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Impact, Gender equality, Human Rights
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Improve mechanisms for community dialogue by capitalizing also on the local community networks, CSOs targeting inclusion of citizenry, and particularly women and girls in decision making processes. UN Women 2026/12 Ongoing Since 2022, progress has been made in five municipalities, where initiatives have been finalized. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to develop work in an additional five municipalities during 2024.
Recommendation: The UNCT and PUNOs should continue to advance their policy dialogue and advocacy engagement with national and local decision-makers, so as to advance the roll-out of the social protection and social inclusion reforms and scaling-up of measures (and resources).
Management Response: The main focus of the UNJP IMSPSD has been on the services provided by the LGUs with more limited co-operation with other public agencies. In order to achieve a fully integrated approach a more structural approach to the inter-agency co-operation is required. However, at the current stage of development of social care in Albania, it would appear that the first priory should be to on municipalities developing comprehensive services with a more fully integrated approach (involving, for example, the health sector) being seen as a second stage of development. Also, one of the advantages of a pilot approach is to learn what works best (and what does not work as well). The municipalities could benefit from organizing joint training sessions in which representatives of the different municipalities are brought together to exchange their experiences and challenges with, for example, staffing and the experiences of providing integrated services.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Governance and planning (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Partnership
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Impact, Sustainability
Key Actions
Key Action not added.