Whether in the consultations on reform policy or as monitors of reforms, civic actors play a decisive role in holding government or courts accountable. The Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement Component of the MCC Albania Threshold Program II aims to strengthen public trust in public administration and the courts by boosting public oversight of these institutions.

MCCA2’s Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement Component works to achieve the following results:

Civil society groups’ ability to advocate for new laws and policies increased. While seeking private sector and civil society input on reforms, the program supports advocacy efforts by civil society organizations (CSO) including business associations, to lobby for tougher anti-corruption measures, draft secondary legislation, produce policy papers on relevant issues, and facilitate stakeholders’ policy dialogue on program-supported reforms.

Ability of civil society groups to monitor reforms enhanced. MCCA2 support to further transparency and accountability consists in funding the monitoring of program-supported reforms, such as of the performance of the National Registration and Licensing Centers, e-procurement system, tax e-services, and taxpayer services.

Civil society organizations strengthened. Based on an initial advocacy capacity assessment, the program is committed to provide technical assistance and training to Albanian CSOs.

CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT: MCCA2 GOALS AND TARGETS   Encourage and support advocacy and monitoring activities of nonprofit organizations and business associations related to anticorruption efforts of the MCC Albania Threshold Program ------------------------------------------------------------------------- CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT: MCCA2 KEY YEAR 1 ACCOMPLISHMENTS  Assessing and building advocacy capacity. During April-May 2009, MCCA2 conducted an advocacy capacity assessment of 30 civil society organizations (CSOs) active in advocacy efforts in Albania. Subsequently, MCCA2 worked with business organizations to develop their capacity to advocate individually and collectively on issues of common interest. The program supported the establishment and coordination of the work of the Coalition in Support of Administrative Courts and its Coordinating Group, as well as provided mentoring in setting strategic objectives, developing concrete action plans, lobbying decision-makers, developing messages for larger audiences, building coalitions, and developing membership. In September 2009, project staff organized a two-day workshop on strategy development and coalition building for Coalition member organizations.  Supporting CSOs monitoring initiatives. During Year 1, MCCA2 signed three subcontracts with CSOs to monitor reforms carried out under the Stage I project in the areas of NRC services, e-tax services, and e-procurement.  For more information on the MCCA2 Civil Society Engagement Component progress, please visit our Publications pages: Newsletter, Fact sheets and Information kits.