How can local revenues be increased without increasing the burden on citizens? The case of the Municipality of Korça shows that the answer lies in better administration, accurate information and equal treatment for all.

For many years, local taxes and fees in Korça were administered mainly through manual procedures, with distributed registers and data that was not always up-to-date. This created difficulties in identifying properties, families and economic activities, as well as in accurately invoicing obligations.

Through a continuous modernization process, the Municipality of Korça, in cooperation with the Tax Agent of Water and Sewerage of Korça, took concrete steps to improve this system. Databases were updated, field verifications were carried out, subscribers who were not previously included in the system were formalized and administrative processes were gradually digitized.

This reform did not focus on increasing taxes, but on expanding the taxable base and ensuring that every citizen or entity is treated fairly and equally. With the administrative expansion of the municipality, the model was also extended to rural units, including the city of Korça and 64 villages in a more unified administration approach.

The results are tangible: local tax billing has increased by 318% in the period 2007–2026, while collections have increased from 26.9 million lek in 2008 to over 159 million lek in 2025. Above all, the quality of service, transparency and trust in the relationship between local administration and the community have improved.

The experience of Korça conveys a clear message: when technology, field work, institutional cooperation and human capacities go together, local government can provide better, fairer and more reliable services to citizens.

Read the full case study here: Case Study Bashkia Korce Word