Administrative Capacity for Project Pipeline Development and Management under Cohesion Policy in Albania

This paper defines and assesses the administrative capacity required to develop and manage a project pipeline for public investment implementation under the EU Cohesion Policy in Albania. The study aims to identify the institutional, regulatory, and organisational readiness of Albanian authorities to meet the EU Benchmark related to the project pipeline of public investments under Chapter 22 of the accession negotiations. Using a methodological approach that combines literature review, regulatory and institutional analysis, and a targeted survey among authorities implementing the Western Balkans Investment Framework, the paper evaluates the current state of administrative capacity at both “upstream” and “downstream” levels of the investment cycle. Results show that, while Albania has established the necessary legal and coordination frameworks, significant gaps remain in project preparation and evaluation capacity. The findings underscore the necessity for a systematic approach to define and evaluate the adequacy of human, technical, and financial resources for the development and implementation of a comprehensive project pipeline. Strengthening these capacities is crucial to ensure the effective absorption of Cohesion Policy funds and to enhance the overall efficiency of public investment management in Albania.