📍 Greater empowerment for our municipalities on the path toward the European Union 🇪🇺🇦🇱 Today marked the inaugural meeting of the Forum of Integration Units—a new platform designed to strengthen coordination and cooperation among all municipalities in the country regarding the European integration process. 🤝 The event brought together representatives from local integration units, central institutions, the EU Delegation to Albania, #GIZ, and our project partners. 💬 Key discussion topics included: • Absorption and management of EU funds at the local level • Inclusive governance and the digitalization of services • Sustainable economic development and cohesion projects 🎙️ “Strengthening municipal capacities and establishing sustainable cooperation mechanisms are essential for translating European integration into concrete results for citizens,” emphasized Adelina Farrici, Executive Director of the Association of Albanian Municipalities (SHKBSH). 🇪🇺 Meanwhile, Ritva Heikkinen, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, highlighted the importance of integrated projects that foster local economic development, aligned with EU cohesion policies. 💡 European integration begins at the local level—where the needs of citizens meet European opportunities and standards! This activity was carried out within the framework of the #EU4Municipalities project, funded by the European Commission and BMZ and implemented by SHKBSH, GIZ, NALAS, and KDZ. #EU4Municipalities #EUIntegration #LocalGovernment #Municipalities #LocalGovernance #AlbaniaInTheEU #GIZ #NALAS #KDZ