Improved Court Performance Project in Albania

(EWMI). The project aimed to improve the performance of the Albanian judiciary, with a focus on streamlined, expeditious, and transparent court proceedings. Initial start-up activities included introductory meetings with project counterparts and related justice-sector donor projects, coordinated with USAID. A major launching event was organized and held on May 16 at the Tirana Grand hotel, which marked the formal relaunch of the Justice without Delays Initiative, conducted jointly with partner OSCE. The initiative was formally relaunched at an event hosted by the Shkodra Appellate and District Courts and held in the Law Faculty of Luigj Gurakuqi University in Shkodra. Significant progress was made in forming the justice reform coalition, which will be supported by an EU-funded project being implemented by Save the Children. Activities relating to promoting investigative journalism were delayed due to extended discussions with the Association of Journalists for Justice (AJJ) and staffing changes. Key start-up accomplishments included the development and approval of a Mobilization Plan, a work plan, and a Performance-Based Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. The project also secured office space, located in the Embassy district, and began occupying it in early May 2016. All equipment and furnishings from the JuST Project were donated to counterparts, and EWMI-Albania initiated and completed tender processes to secure new furnishings and IT equipment. The project team and home office worked to refine the work plan, including a significant change in activity year dates, which was approved by USAID early in the next reporting period. A Grants under Contract (GUC) manual was also prepared, submitted, and approved on May 19. The project's performance-based monitoring and evaluation plan was revised and approved. The project's staffing process was facilitated by the number of qualified candidates with extensive relevant experience, many of whom had experience with the former JuST program and/or other USAID programs. The project advertised positions, screened all applicants, and conducted a minimum of three interviews per position. The project's office was established in the Embassy district, and the team began occupying it in early May 2016. The project's performance-based monitoring and evaluation plan was revised and approved, and a Grants under Contract (GUC) manual was prepared, submitted, and approved. The Justice without Delays Initiative was formally relaunched at an event hosted by the Shkodra Appellate and District Courts and held in the Law Faculty of Luigj Gurakuqi University in Shkodra. The initiative aimed to improve the efficiency of the Albanian judiciary, with a focus on streamlined, expeditious, and transparent court proceedings.