Matra Rule of Law Stories: Strengthening the expertise of procurement experts in Albania

The Matra Rule of Law Training Programme aims to enhance institutional capacity in upholding the rule of law within government organizations across Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Ukraine. Commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and implemented by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, the programme has been delivered since 2017 by a consortium comprising the Netherlands Helsinki Committee, The Hague Academy for Local Governance, and Leiden University.

When four participants from Albania took part in the training on Public Procurement, they decided to focus their Back Home Action Plan on strengthening the expertise of procurement experts, and developing a (re)certification programme. The objective is to promote more consistent case handling, with a particular focus on due process and procedural guarantees.

Certification exam

Just eight months after completing the training in The Hague, the participants have successfully developed comprehensive training materials, delivered multiple interactive trainings, and developed the certification exam. The impact of their Back Home Action Plan has been significant. Those who took the certification exam and engaged in related activities have shown an improved understanding of the relevant legal standards and their practical application, as shown by exam results and positive informal feedback.

According to participant Kreshnik Ternova, Commissioner at the Albanian Public Procurement Commission, the Back Home Action Plan has helped to integrate best practices presented during the Matra Rule of Law Training Programme into day to day work. “I believe that the plan is not only raising awareness, but also gradually influencing professional behaviour and institutional culture.”

The way forward

The ambition is now to design a registry for procurement specialists in public institutions. The registry will provide a central, reliable overview of certified specialists and will serve as a basis for planning training, assigning responsibilities and monitoring professional development.

The Back Home Action Plan highlights the lasting impact of the Matra Rule of Law Training Programme in advancing professionalism and strengthening institutions across the region.