Decentralization and Regional Development in Albania

Abstract

This study aims to discuss the idea of decentralization process of local authorities in Albania and also its impact on territorial - administrative organization. Using her experience of several years in audit structures of local government, the author of this study intends to show how much and how has affected the territorial division in the absence of efficiency of public services provided by local authorities. Why the governments (even though the issue of territorial reorganization was their priority) could not do anything in this regard in years? Albania’s territorial reorganization, in the current stage when the decentralization reform has entered the third phase of its development is closely related to regional development of the territory. Both (as reorganization and regional development) require the design and implementation of macroeconomic strategies based on detailed analysis of costs and efficiency of public services provided by local governments, harmonizing the instruments in implementing the economic policies of general government (local and central government), but without affecting in any way the principle of decentralization. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n9p469