Accelerated legislative reforms linked to EU accession have yet to translate into a more enabling environment for civil society in Albania, according to the 2025 Monitoring Matrix Country Report published by BCSDN member Partners Albania. Assessing the legal and practical conditions for civil society, the report examines fundamental freedoms, financial sustainability and CSO participation in decision-making, highlighting persistent gaps between legislative progress and implementation. Among the key challenges, the electronic registry for non-profit organisations remains non-functional, with registration taking an average of 90 days in 2025 against a legal limit of 15 days. Financial sustainability presents another major concern: only 75 of approximately 2,412 active organisations received funding from the Agency for the Support of Civil Society in 2025, amid declining international assistance and the absence of dedicated institutional funding. In terms of government–civil society cooperation, the report points to the lack of an updated government strategy for civil society development, insufficient transparency in consultations and limited opportunities for CSOs to influence accession-related reforms. The report recommends functional registry, more transparent and sustainable public funding, and meaningful participation from the earliest stages of policymaking. Find the report here.
Source: Partners Albania