ALB: Enhancing public sector resilience against corruption

• Albania advanced its rule of law commitments, driven by the EU accession process. In 2024, the Specialised Structure for Anti-Corruption  and Organised Crime, SPAK, achieved major results in investigation of cases. 
• Corruption perception remains high: 87% of population considers it a serious problem. Weak coordination between agencies, complex legislation, and gaps in conflict-of-interest regulations for officials, hinder progress. 
• Corruption is linked to money laundering and organized crime. Though  asset confiscation reached to €65.5 Mio in 2024, a 59.7% increase vs. 2023, it is disproportional to criminal proceedings. A system  for managing confiscated assets is not operational. 
• The newly established Minister of State for Public Administration and  Anti-Corruption and the 2025-2030 Anti-Corruption Strategy emphasize  legal reforms, transparency in local governance, and risk mitigation in key sectors like healthcare.  

Direct beneficiaries: Public administration at  local and central levels; Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-corruption; Ministry of State for Local Government, High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets and Conflicts of Interest; Asset Recovery Office; Asset Management Office; Ministry  of Health and Social Protection, Swiss projects. 

Indirect beneficiaries: Albanian population.  

Outcome 1: Regulatory frameworks, open data tools and capacities for effective  anti-corruption measures and their consistent application at national and subnational levels are enhanced and improve the institutional mechanisms  and response to corruption risks. 

Outcome 2: The Albanian Government’s capacities for the recovery and the management of illegally acquired assets are strengthened and enhance the social use of confiscated assets. 

Outcome 3: Strengthening capacities of the Albanian Government lead to effective anti-corruption measures in the healthcare and an improved communication strategy.  

Outcome 4: Mainstreaming anti-corruption in the Swiss development portfolio contributes to reduced risks in local government, health and environment sectors. 

Principaux résultats attendus:  

• National anti-corruption measures are strengthened through operational regulatory frameworks and use of open data tools (e.g., registers of public officials, gifts);  
• Anti-corruption measures at subnational  level contribute to the enhanced service delivery effectiveness and increased transparency, compliant to GRECO; 
• Capacities of institutions dealing with recovery and management of illegally acquired assets (Asset Recovery Office, Asset Management Office) are increased;  
• Authorities at all levels start implementing the Action Plan compliant to the CRA on healthcare.  
• Concrete anti-corruption measures in health, local governance and environment  (e.g., complaint mechanisms, procurements procedures) are strengthened in the Swiss portfolio. 

Principaux résultats antérieurs:  

• Registers of public officials, lobbyists and/or gifts do not exist.  
• Draft Law on establishing the Asset Recovery Office is pending adoption. 
• Only 5/26 recommendations of the 5th Monitoring round of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) implemented; GRECO 6th round, with focus on local level expected in 2026. 
• No existing Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) on healthcare sector for Albania.