UNDP and Netherlands support Integrated Planning System in Albania

TIRANA, Sept. 28 – United Nations Development Program and the government of Netherlands signed an agreement to support the implementation from the Albanian government of an Integrated Planning System in the country. That it a broad planning and monitoring framework to assure that Government core policies and financial processes function in a coherent, efficient and integrated manner. The Integrated Planning System is a set of operating principles and supporting structures, which will assure that government planning and monitoring take place in an efficient and harmonized way. The Integrated Planning System will end the fragmentation and duplication between government core policies and financial planning processes, respectively through the development of the National Strategy for Development and Integration, and the Medium-Term Budget Program.
The project is funded from UNDP, Netherlands and other donors over a 1-year period to help the Department for Strategy and Donor Coordination at the Council of Ministers establish and implement its functions, and also other key government institutions form better working linkages. This assistance will focus on organizational and human resources development, capacity and relationship building, establishment of a supporting information system, as well as other advisory and training services. Another priority focus of this assistance will be on the improvement of donor coordination and the management of external assistance. Government will be better positioned to manage the project approval process and to secure donor funding for priority projects. The whole process is directed by the Strategic Planning Committee chaired by the Prime Minister of Albania, and is assisted by a joint government-donor body called Integrated Planning System Support Group.