Spain funds $14 million to Albania’s “Delivering as One UN”

TIRANA, June 28 – Last week, three new programmes began under the “Delivering as One UN” pilot in Albania – the only country in Europe to host this UN reform initiative, all funded through the UNDP Spain Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Achievement Fund.
The UN joint programme on Culture and Development, costing $3.3 million, seeks to protect Albania’s cultural heritage and support Albania’s participation in the Alliance of Civilizations. A key activity is the rehabilitation of the National History Museum in Tirana, transforming it into a modern cultural institution.
The UN joint programme on Economic Governance, a $2,197 million program, will support regulatory work in water and energy sectors and consumer protection. Activities focus on ensuring important decisions on utilitydecentralization and privatization, tariff changes, and regulatory reform in the energy and water sectors, as well as measures to strengthen consumer protection benefits from inclusive participation of user groups.
The UN joint programme on Youth, Employment and Migration ($3.3 million) aims to provide more employment opportunities for young people and better align national strategies on youth, employment and migration. The programme targets young workers in the regions of Shkodra and Kukes, highly affected by informal employment and youth migration.
In addition to the three new programmes, Spain has committed $1 million per year for three years to the One UN Coherence Fund in support of the “Delivering as One UN” Programme in Albania.
Spain is also working with the World Health Organization in Albania to support maternal and child health reform ($2.2 million).
Albania was selected, along with seven other countries, to test a worldwide programme of UN reform. The One UN Programme for Albania was signed on 24 October 2007 and draws on key reference points, such as the Stabilization and Association Agreement for EU integration; Albania’s National Strategy for Development and Integration; the programmes of other international partners; and the Paris Declaration principles of aid effectiveness and the harmonization of development efforts. Led by the Government of Albania and building on strengths of participating agencies, the One UN Programme seeks to maximize the UN’s impact in five main areas: More transparent and accountable governance; Greater inclusive participation in public policy and decision-making; Increased and more equitable access to quality basic services; Regional development to reduce disparities; and Environmentally sustainable development.