Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development (hereinafter referred to as Co-PLAN) is a non-profit organization. Since 1995, Co-PLAN has been dedicated to fostering sustainable development, catalyzing transformative change in urban and regional spaces, promoting good governance, addressing pressing environmental issues, cultivating civil society, and influencing local, national, and regional/international policies. With a focus on people and institutions, we aim to drive tangible social transformation and positive change by instilling change-driving knowledge in our society and ensuring through our persistent work that our habitats are smartly managed. Our work encompasses project-based engagement, research, grant-giving, capacity building, and active community engagement. This comprehensive approach, seamlessly incorporating technology and digital tools that strive towards innovative solutions, ensures a holistic and effective contribution to driving positive change.
Co-PLAN operates upon six main areas of expertise: (i) territorial governance and spatial planning; (ii) environment and climate resilience; (ii) economic development, innovation, and sustainable tourism; (iv) research and citizens’ science; (v) civil society and policy influencing and (vi) grant management/cascade funding.
We are based in Tirana, Albania, and have developed a solid national, regional, and international project outreach network, including many of the Local Government Units in Albania, several governmental and institutional partners, and numerous organizations in the Western Balkans region, Europe, and beyond.
Key facts:
- Established partnerships with over 80% of Local Governments across the country and regional and central government actors; consolidated network of partners locally, regionally, and internationally, promoting best values and good governance since 1995;
- Approximately 200 projects were implemented in Albania, the Western Balkans Region, and internationally, ranging from 10,000 to 5 million euros, all implemented with the same dedication and accountability.
- Extensive project portfolio in the realm of central and local government reforms (regional development, territorial administrative reform, territorial planning, waste management, etc.), local government service provision, capacity development, development strategies, informal settlements integration, preparation of urban regulatory plans, environmental assessments, climate change and resilient planning, territorial management, disaster risk reduction plans, etc.
- Extensive research portfolio in the realm of local and public finances, economic development, socioeconomic disparities, territorial and environmental governance, green transition, ecosystem services, citizens’ engagement, etc.
- Top experience in the country related to grant management procedures and cascade funding, proven by several EU-funded projects
- Several capacity development projects (over half the project portfolio) specifically aim to increase the skills of Central and Local Government Authorities in improved public service provision, strategic planning, and project acquisition.
- Experience with several donors, including the EU, World Bank, USAID, SDC, ADA, SIDA, Italian Cooperation, Open Society Foundation, Cordaid, Novib, GIZ, etc.
- Initiator and coordinator of the Territorial Governance Network in the Western Balkans (TG-WeB) (https://tg-web.eu) and active member of international and regional networks such as the River Cities Network (https://www.rivercities.world), Community of Practice for Affordable Housing, etc.
- A team of 20 in-house professional experts, with the majority having acquired post-graduate studies abroad and an additional consolidated pool of varied expertise to tap into as needed.
- High employee retention rate in the range 90 percent range.
- Embedded in POLIS University, a strategic partner, having the possibility to tap into the infrastructure (laboratories) and human resources available at the university.