The year 2001 saw the approval of two important laws dedicated to governing the life and activity of the non-profit sector: the law on the non profit sector and the law on the registration of the non profit organizations. According to a study conducted by the World Bank in 2003, although remarkable progress has been made, a lot of important issues in the sector remain unsolved.

The primary goal of the project is to assist with the development and strengthening of the civil society sector in Albania by creating an enabling legal and financial environment for the creation and functioning of non governmental organizations, lobbying groups, professional associations and mechanisms that encourage and strengthen transparency, improve the image of the sector vis-à-vis the public, etc.

Phase I
In cooperation with a group of experts from the fields of legislation and economy, the laws and by-laws of the non profit sector was thoroughly analyzed. The Report of the Working Group was reviewed by large numbers of experts in round tables organized during the month of April in Tirana.

In the period April-May 2006, OSFA and Partners-Albania organized four seminars in Tirana, Vlora, Shkodra and Pogradeci with representatives of the NPO-s and donor organizations involved with civil society development. The activities were attended by representatives of 110 NPO-s from the towns of Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Librazhd, Pogradec, Korca, Shkodra and Vlora.

Following the conclusion of the phase of dissemination and discussion of the findings of the report, the experts developed concrete proposals with regard to the changes/amendments that must be done in the law and in relevant by-laws.

Phase II
The second phase of the project will be implemented in the period June-December 2006. In this phase work will continue to draft the amendments/improvements and to design regulations and procedures intended to facilitate the implementation of legislation on the non profit sector.