Regional Experience Exchange and Discussion on Electoral Financing AIS Albania and KDI Kosovo Host MasterClass in Tirana

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Tirana, Albania – AIS Albania, in collaboration with KDI Kosovo, organized a Masterclass focused on electoral financing, bringing together civil society representatives from across Albania for a regional exchange of experience and discussion.

Kosovo stands out in the region for having adopted a dedicated Law on the Financing of Electoral Campaigns and Political Parties. As a result of persistent civil society advocacy, this legal framework has enabled the creation of independent institutions with clear mandates to monitor, investigate, and sanction abuses in electoral financing.

By contrast, the legal and institutional framework in Albania remains limited. The country does not have a specific law on electoral finance, and the Central Election Commission has very limited powers when it comes to administrative investigations. Moreover, there are no specific sanctions for violations related to campaign financing. The administrative penalties foreseen in Albania’s Electoral Code are symbolic and largely ineffective.

During the event, Eugen Cakolli, an expert from KDI/Transparency International Kosovo, shared Kosovo’s legal and institutional practices with his Albanian counterparts, shedding light on challenges, successes, and key principles behind their reform process.

You may refer to the attached presentation for further information.

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A central theme of the discussion was the urgent need for Albania to adopt a dedicated legal framework on political finance and to establish independent oversight institutions capable of ensuring transparency, accountability, and enforcement in the electoral financing process.

The expert’s biography is attached for your reference.

Below you can find the photos of the event:

The Master Class took place on December 13, 2024, in Tirana, and brought together representatives from civil society organizations, transparency advocates, and policy researchers from across Albania. The event served as a platform for constructive dialogue and cross-border learning on electoral finance reform.

The event was attended by representatives from the following national and international organizations:

  • Jorgen Kosta – Komiteti Shqiptar i Helsinkit (KSHSH)
  • Zef Preçi – Qendra Shqiptare për Kërkime Ekonomike (ACER)
  • Gerta Meta – Shoqata për Kulturë Demokratike (SHKD)
  • Doralda Tanellari – Instituti i Studimeve Politike (ISP)
  • Endri Deda – Qendra Shqiptare për Kërkime Ekonomike (ACER)
  • Arjan Dyrmishi – Qendra për Studimin e Demokracisë dhe Qeverisjes (CSDG)
  • Edlira Çepani – Rrjeti “Barazi ne Vendimmarrje”
  • Vildan Plepi – National Democratic Institute (NDI)
  • Endrid Islami – United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
  • Ejona Kalldremxhiu – International Republican Institute (IRI)
  • Ana Kovacevic Kadovic – National Democratic Institute (NDI)
  • Orjada Tare – Westminster Foundation for Democracy-Albania (WFD)
  • Suzana Frashëri – The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)