July 2nd 2012 – Tiranë
The Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) presented today (July 2nd 2012) the findings of the CSOs Sustainability Index 2011 for Albania. The Index for central and eastern Europe & Euroasia is a periodic assessment instrument for the civil society, covering in 2011 as many as 29 countries. The report has included Albania since the beginning (1997) by identifying both, problems and achievements of civil society as an important factor for democratic governance.
The Index considers the general environment where CSOs operate by focusing on the legal environment, organizational capacities, financial viability, advocacy, service provision, infrastructure and public image. IDM has been entrusted the task to prepare the report since 2010.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Marc Ellingstad – Head of USAID Mission in Albania, emphasized the importance of civil society for democracies worldwide. The 2011 Report’s finding were presented by IDM Program Director Mr. Gjergji Vurmo why underlined the “stagnation” in relation to some of the dimensions and also the regress in essential aspects such as “legal environment” and “advocacy”. Commenting the findings of the report, Mr. Blendi Kajsiu (civil society activist) and Mr. Mihallaq Qirjo (Director of Regional Environmental Center) offered their perspective on the general concerns and challenges for the civic sector.
The full report for Albania and the global CSO Sustainability Index have been launched by USAID (Washington) on July 1st 2012:
http://transition.usaid.gov/locations/europe_eurasia/dem_gov/ngoindex/