Today CDI hosted the knowledge-exchange event titled “Enhancing the Role of Civil Society in the Reform and Growth Facility: Insights from the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility Implementation.” The workshop featured European Economic and Social Committee – CSO Group III Members – Ms. Elena-Alexandra Calistru and Ms. Justyna Kalina Ochędzan, presenting different Member States civil society perspectives on the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)—after which the Reform and Growth Facility (RGF) was inspired and modelled. The workshop sessions offered insights into participatory governance models, EU Member States CSO involvement in the implementation and monitoring of the RRF, and tools for civil society-led monitoring of EU funds.
Establishing clear, formal structures for regular civil society consultation; Mandating transparent feedback mechanisms detailing how stakeholder inputs are addressed; Building dedicated national Monitoring Committees similar to Cohesion Policy’s successful models; and Strengthening transparency by providing timely, detailed, and harmonized implementation data accessible publicly online, are some of the EESC recommendations for an enhanced Civil Society Role, presented by Ms. Calistru.
With the RGF Monitoring Committee expected to be set up indicatively by June 2025, Ms. Ochędzan presented the Polish experience with Monitoring Committees. She emphasized key elements such as applying the European Code of Conduct on Partnership while organizing meaningful partnership with stakeholders; Defining a clear legal framework recognizing and defining the role of non-state actors; Clear appointing system and transparent process; Balanced representation; and timely access to information.
The event brought together Albanian civil society representatives, government institutions, parliamentary staff and other non-state actors. Through insights and lessons learnt at EU level, the workshop delved into the current RGF landscape of opportunities and challenges for non-state actors to actively contribute to the governance, implementation, and monitoring of the RGF Albania.
In her opening remarks, CDI Executive Director Ms. Krisela Hackaj emphasized that today’s workshop aims at building country in-house capacities at all levels, managed by and available to social actors. She added that “this event is a building block of what we call a Growth Plan dialogue, aiming to ensure that different stakeholders are informed, involved and provided with opportunities for constructive engagement”.
In this regard, one of the event’s main highlights was the official launch of the Reform Tracker—the first Growth Plan Scoreboard in the WB region. “The Scoreboard will complement the European Commission’s official monitoring tools by offering bottom-up perspectives, easy-to-read data and insights, and regular updates,” said Hackaj. “It will serve as the primary public resource for tracking Albania’s progress on reforms and investments under the Growth Plan, while fostering greater transparency, civic engagement, and accountability across the implementation of the National Reform Agenda.”
Mr. Philipp Arnold, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland to Albania, highlighted Switzerland’s longstanding support for democratic governance and inclusive reform processes. “We believe that civil society has a vital role in building accountable institutions and in ensuring that reforms reflect the needs and aspirations of the population. That is why we are pleased to support this initiative promoting transparency, inclusiveness and good governance,” stated Arnold.
Mr. Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Albania, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to an inclusive and transparent Growth Plan implementation process. “The EU accession process is a whole-of-society project,” said Perr. “This equally applies to the Growth Plan and the Reform and Growth Facility. Therefore, the active involvement of civil society is crucial.”
The workshop was organized under the initiative “Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement and Ownership in the Implementation of the Reform and Growth Facility”, implemented by CDI with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Albania.
