Municipalities across Albania set to increase Local Revenue Collection with assistance from STAR2

October 31, 2019

The National Conference on Municipality Revenue Assistance and Action Plans was held today in Tirana, with the participation of ​​finance and local taxes employees from all municipalities.

During a 12-month period, the STAR 2 project team identified 29 small and medium municipalities that have not received assistance on Public Finance Management and met with the mayors to ensure their commitment. Also, round tables were organized with local tax managers and finance experts from these municipalities, where the standard model of action plans were discussed, and 58 detailed action plans were prepared and adapted for all the selected municipalities. Municipalities were also assisted to implement these plans, as well to monitor their implementation. 

The conference saw the presentation of the action and monitoring plans for tax collection and local revenues, key findings and achievements for the 29 small and medium selected municipalities and provided recommendations for improving the process. The methodology deployed was also presented to benefit other municipalities.

The STAR 2 project through one of its components: Municipality Revenue Assistance and Action Plans, aims to aide municipalities increase their efficiency in the process of collecting tax on property, tariff on waste and uncollected tax and dues. The action and monitoring plans were designed in partnership with municipalities and their tax officials.

“UNDP is pleased to support authorities in creating conditions for improving the collection of local taxes and fees, considering both the legal framework and local context. Today we have come together with municipal officials working on finance and tax administration in 61 municipalities as well representatives of Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Interior, Agency for Support of Local Governance, Project donors and partners, to complete this process and share good practices elaborated during the project implementation.“ said Ms. Limya Eltayeb, Resident Representative of UNDP Albania in her opening word.

The event was attended by the deputy mayors in charge of  local revenues and tax directors in each of 61 Municipalities, representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Ministry of Interior, Agency for Local Self-Government Support, Association of Municipalities of Albania, Association for Local Autonomy, UNDP, community of STAR2 donors and other projects.

STAR 2 enjoys support by many international development partners through a pooled funding mechanism. International partners include: the European Union, the Government of Sweden through Swedish International Development Agency, the Government of Italy through Italian Development Cooperation, Swiss Government through Swiss Development Cooperation, the United States through the United States Agency for International Development and UNDP and the Government of Albania. The project is implemented by the UNDP in partnership with Ministry of Interior.