As part of the Republic of Albania’s ongoing commitment to its path toward European Union membership, the EUSFAM project (EU Support for Funds Administration and Management) represents an important strategic step in consolidating the country’s institutional capacities for managing EU financial assistance.
Project objective
The EUSFAM project aims to strengthen the capacities of government structures responsible for managing EU funds, so that Albania is able to effectively plan, programme, implement, report on, and evaluate European assistance — both that managed directly by the European Commission and that managed indirectly by national authorities.
The direct beneficiaries of the project are the key institutions of the national architecture for managing EU funds, including: the State Agency for Strategic Programming and Aid Coordination (SASPAC), the National IPA Coordinator (NIPAC) and its Support Office, the National Authorising Officer (NAO) and its management structures, the National Fund, the Central Financing and Contracting Unit (CFCU), the Audit Authority, as well as the Managing Authorities of the operational programmes.
Expected results
The implementation of the project is expected to produce concrete results in three main directions.
First, the project is expected to strengthen the institutional, administrative, and technical capacity of Albanian institutions to plan, programme, prepare, and manage assistance under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), under both direct and indirect management modalities. This strengthening enables a more effective and efficient use of European funds within the framework of a comprehensive partnership between Albania and the EU.
Second, the project will contribute to improving the quality, relevance, and coherence of IPA strategic and programming documents, including the Reform Agenda for Albania, which serves as the basis for implementing the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans.
Third, EUSFAM will support the consolidation of an institutional culture grounded in transparency, accountability, and integrity in the administration of EU financial resources, in line with European financial management standards and principles.
Strategic context
The EUSFAM project is being implemented at a decisive moment for Albania’s European integration process. Following the opening of accession negotiations and the ratification of three EU Operational Programmes in June 2025, Albania has assumed new responsibilities for the independent management of European funds through the indirect management modality. These programmes represent a joint investment of 186 million euros, supporting youth employment, the digitalisation of public services, and the green energy transition.
At the same time, through the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, Albania is expected to benefit from up to 1 billion euros for the 2024–2027 period, conditional on the implementation of agreed reforms in the fields of the rule of law, energy, digitalisation, competitiveness, and human capital development. Fully benefiting from these resources requires strong, capable institutions that are well prepared to manage them with efficiency and integrity.
Conclusion
Through the EUSFAM project, SASPAC and its partner institutions are today building the foundations of a public administration capable of meeting the demands that come with Albania’s future membership in the European Union. By investing in human capacities, management systems, and the quality of strategic programming, the project ensures that every euro of European assistance is transformed into real value for Albanian citizens and for the country’s progress toward the European family.