This roundtable was organized within the framework of the project “POP Network for Good Governance and Integrity,” part of the initiative *POP – Political Offerings Confrontation*, supported by the Olof Palme International Center and the Embassy of Sweden in Tirana.

In attendance of the meeting were the Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Keti Luarasi; the Chair of the City Council, Megi Fino; heads of municipal directorates involved in implementing the priorities of the Social Contract; as well as administrators from various administrative units across Tirana.

The Executive Director of the Gender Alliance for Development Center, Mirela Arqimandriti, opened the roundtable by emphasizing the importance of the Social Contract as a well-established instrument for strengthening dialogue between citizens and local institutions.

Arqimandriti stated that “in the previous Social Contract for the period 2019–2023, approximately 85% of citizens’ priorities were successfully addressed, while in the current contract for the 2023–2027 period, now in its second year of monitoring, around 45% have already been addressed.”

In her remarks, she commended the role of GADC and the POP Network not only as monitors of the process but also as a bridge for cooperation and trust-building between the community and institutions.

The Chair of the City Council, Megi Fino, emphasized that “in a city such as Tirana—dynamic and vibrant—decision-making cannot take place behind closed doors, but must be shaped by the daily realities of its citizens. For this reason, citizens are not merely passive beneficiaries of public services, but active co-creators of policies and co-monitors of their implementation. In this context, the 2023–2027 Social Contract is not merely a document, but a tangible instrument aimed at institutionalizing this very approach—toward a governance that is more equitable, transparent, and accountable.”

“The Tirana City Council regards this contract as a clear roadmap and a public agreement that prioritizes the voices, needs, and priorities of its citizens. Within this framework, the role of civil society is indispensable. The POP Network and its partner organizations have proven themselves to be not only active advocates but also reliable partners in local governance,” stated Fino.

Tirana Deputy Mayor, Keti Luarasi, emphasized that “the Social Contract has proven to be an effective mechanism that, throughout the years, has reliably ensured that citizens’ priorities remain central to institutional activities.”

The next steps discussed during the roundtable include several concrete proposals aimed at deepening cooperation and systematically monitoring the commitments of the Social Contract. Among these were the establishment of a joint calendar for monitoring meetings; the preparation of a simplified annual report for citizens; the appointment of contact points within various directorates to track progress across priority areas; and the organization of open meetings within administrative units to strengthen direct dialogue with citizens and local organizations.
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