Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Tirana prepared project for Strengthening the capacities of the Albanian Institutions for Disbursement of funds from Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Training of Albanian representatives was carried out as a study visit at the CEP premises in Jablje castle between 12. and 16. November 2012. Training was attended by 11 public servants – representatives of local authorities (municipalities and associations of local government).

Participants of the project were acquainted with the broader context of European development policies, budgetary system of the EU and multiannual financial framework (MFF) negotiations, with particular emphasis on Cohesion Policy and Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). Special importance was given to the training for the use of the IPA components, which Albania is not using yet, and to the cross-border cooperation (component 2) in particular, in which Albanian participants are already actively involved. In Implementation part of the training, participants learned the basics of project management and essential documents for the preparation of tender documentation and identification of the key steps in preparation of project applications. The training participants also visited the Regional Development Agency BSC Kranj, which presented a good practice of disbursement of EU funds, coordination among individuals, businesses, municipalities, ministries and other public institutions and foreign partners in order to promote the development of Gorenjska region.

Education was raised in a very good moment, because Albania is starting with preparations for IPA funds programming for the period 2014 – 2020. Therefore the participants assessed the gained knowledge as very desirable.