Cooperation outside the agreed areas: good governance and migration Reform under pressure

    While EU integration appears within reach, public administration and the media face significant challenges, including political interference and institutional weaknesses. In its development cooperation, Germany is therefore putting a focus on building government capacity, strengthening independent media and fostering orderly migration management in order to support Albania on its path towards the European Union.

    Der Skanderbegplatz mit einer Skulptur des Nationalhelden Skanderbeg und dem Kulturpalast in der albanischen Hauptstadt Tirana

    Albania currently stands at a crossroads between the hope of EU integration and the concrete challenges facing a country in transition. Public administration is still grappling with serious shortcomings that are hindering its alignment with EU standards. These include a lack of coordination between ministries, insufficient digitalisation and weak oversight mechanisms. According to the European Commission, transparency and accountability in public administration are also still considered inadequate. As a result, institutions are often unable to effectively transpose European legislation into national law or to apply it consistently – a key criterion for EU accession.

    The media is also under pressure. Ownership structures are highly concentrated, editorial independence is threatened by political and economic influence, and access to government information is often restricted.

    Migration abroad is another major challenge facing the country. According to an analysis by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), around 28 per cent of the population would like to emigrate – the highest figure in the region. Such migration poses certain risks for the migrants. Albania is both a country of origin and a transit country for people smuggling and human trafficking. Vulnerable groups are particularly at risk, especially displaced women and children.

    Objectives of cooperation

    The projects in this area aim to strengthen public administrations in the Western Balkans and prepare them for EU integration – so that government representatives can negotiate successfully and implement EU requirements for trade and markets, among other things. In addition, the projects support independent media in order to safeguard freedom of information and quality journalism. They also ensure that migration is safe and orderly in line with the Global Compact for Migration.

    Project examples

    • On behalf of the BMZ, GIZ is advising institutions that are involved in EU negotiations, sharing expertise regarding instruments, methods and process mapping. It is also supporting the alignment of national legislation with current EU law and promoting cooperation between the government and the private sector – with particular attention being given to gender issues.

    • With the support of one project, regional networks made up of foreign ministries, EU integration offices and parliamentary secretariats of Western Balkan states are developing common positions on EU integration as part of the Berlin Process.

    • To strengthen the resilience of independent media in the Western Balkans, there is a project that supports Deutsche Welle Akademie in promoting quality journalism, digital innovation and regional networking.

    • As part of a regional project, integrated country teams made up of police, public prosecutors and administrative staff are working together on behalf of the European Commission to combat human trafficking and people smuggling in the Western Balkans, protect victims and strengthen cooperation between the judiciary and border police. Authorities are given targeted training to enable them to identify victims at an early stage and protect them effectively.

    • The Centre for International Migration and Development is implementing the Migration & Diaspora programme on behalf of the BMZ. It advises returnees, promotes training and networking, strengthens partner institutions in the field of migration management, and places skilled workers with employers that are based in Albania and 21 other partner countries and whose activities are relevant to development. The project is supported by grants and the Expert Fund Migration & Diaspora (FMD).

    As at: 20/05/2026