Outcome ALB_O_3

Advancing business transformation

In 2022, UN Women co-led one Cooperation Framework results group, chaired the Gender Thematic Results Group, and the Operations Managers Team, while continuing to actively engage in the Joint Communication Group and various ad hoc task forces (e.g. on partnerships and resource mobilization, youth, disability, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse). As a key member of the UN Country Team, the CO continued to deliver most of its programmatic work through the Joint Program modality, and to promote joint partnerships and funding approaches that at the core of UN reform, in addition to leveraging global UN human rights mechanisms for joint advocacy and normative support at the country level. Available core funds were leveraged for driving growth of the office. For example, minimal core funds (~USD 5,500) were used to expand the CO's fundraising efforts incuding preparing and submitting three project proposals: on gender and the media submitted to the UK Embassy; on safe cities, submitted to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security; and on prodoc for the second phase of the Joint Programme on Ending Violence Against Women, submitted to Sida. The UN Joint Programme Phase II was approved for funding, for a total of ~1.2M USD allocated to UN Women, which will funciton as leading agency for the second phase, resulting in a return on investment of more than 200-fold the amount invested in this exercise. In 2022, the country office has operated in a more climate conscious manner, embracing the hybrid modality by switching online the attendance to most of the programmatic and operational trainings, including Quantum related training sessions.

Advancing business transformation

In 2025, UN Women Albania made meaningful progress in advancing business transformation by strengthening office-wide performance management systems. The CO focused on reinforcing a culture of continuous improvement, enhancing organizational coherence, and strengthening internal mechanisms that support organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Throughout the year, the Country Office maintained structured and consistent monitoring of Strategic Note (SN) and Biennial Work Plan 2024-2025 implementation, ensuring alignment with corporate Results-Based Management standards and supporting evidence-based adjustments to programmatic and operational priorities. The CO successfully completed all required reporting—2024 Annual Report, end-of-year monitoring, and 2025 mid-year monitoring—in the RMS, reinforcing accountability and performance management across planning and delivery cycles. Internal collaboration was strengthened through weekly all-staff coordination meetings, which improved workflow integration, information sharing, and identification of joint opportunities across portfolios. These shared spaces contributed directly to refining the office’s internal “business model,” enhancing synergy and operational efficiency across teams. Knowledge-based transformation also advanced. The CO actively contributed to regional and global Communities of Practice, aligning Albania’s work with global organizational learning priorities. Active and regular participation in thematic exchanges—including planning, coordination, foresight, and inter-regional sessions—further embedded continuous improvement practices in the office’s operating model. A major milestone of the year was corporate recognition of Albania CO monitoring and reporting practices with the office selected as one of the winners of the 2024 Results Reporting and Communications Competition. This recognition highlighted the CO’s strong reporting culture, credible use of evidence, and effective communication of results. The CO’s participation in the Global Results Reporting Webinar showcased its innovative practices in narrative drafting and use of visuals to communicate impact, reinforcing its role as a model office within the organization. Knowledge-exchange leadership was also strengthened through Albania’s presentation of its Gender Mainstreaming Tool for UN Joint Programmes at the Arab States Coordination Community of Practice—demonstrating the CO’s role in supporting organizational learning and influencing corporate approaches to integrated programming. Combined, these efforts reflect tangible progress in UN Women Albania’s contribution to UN Women’s business transformation agenda—refining internal processes, strengthening performance management systems, and embedding continuous improvement as part of the organizational culture.

Advancing business transformation

On track. The Albania Country Office (CO) in 2024 has maximized opportunities for UN inter-agency collaboration. UN Women has taken a leading role in gender mainstreaming and gender equality within the UN Country Team. UN women continued to co-chair the Outcome 4 of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, on Gender-Responsive Governance with UNFPA. In addition, UN Women chaired the Gender Thematic Results Group and actively participated in the UN Operations Managers Team, the Joint Communication Group, and various other thematic task forces, such as those focused on partnerships and resource mobilization, youth, disability, and the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse. As a vital member of the UN Country Team, the CO delivered a substantial portion of its programmatic work through the Joint Program modality, promoted joint partnerships and funding approaches central to UN reform, and leveraged global UN human rights mechanisms for joint advocacy and normative support at the country level. 2024 also marked a success in the use of available regular resources as catalytic investments to drive the growth of the organization. Minimal core funds (about USD 17,000.00) and IB for key personnel were used to expand the CO's fundraising efforts, including preparing and submitting project proposals, and supporting the follow up and negotiation with partners until the signature of the agreements. Five contribution agreements were finalized and signed this year for a total approximate amount of USD 7.25 million for the period 2024-2027. The return on investment is calculated at over 10,000%. During 2024, the CO has also continued to formalize the lessons learned from new work practices, leveraging the hybrid work model introduced during COVID-19 and transitioning gradually into a more modern, environmentally conscious, and flexible organization that adopts future-oriented work methods. Employees who request to work from home may do so upon request and flexible working hours arrangements are in place.

Advancing business transformation

This output is on track for 2023, with UN Women continuously positioning to lead on gender mainstreaming and gender equality within the UNCT, UN Women co-chairs UNSDCF Outcome 4 on Gender-Responsive Governance jointly with UNFPA, chaired the Gender Thematic Results Group, and continued to actively engage with the Operations Managers Team, the Joint Communication Group and various other thematic task forces (e.g. on partnerships and resource mobilization, youth, disability, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse). As a key member of the UN Country Team, the CO continued to deliver a significant portion of its programmatic work through the Joint Program modality, and to promote joint partnerships and funding approaches that at the core of UN reform, in addition to leveraging global UN human rights mechanisms for joint advocacy and normative support at the country level including the CEDAW reporting process. Available core funds were leveraged for driving growth of the office. For example, minimal core funds (USD 22,336.00) were used to expand the CO's fundraising efforts including preparing and submitting project proposals: “Empowering Rural Women in North of Albania” (submitted to AICS, value of EUR 2,100,000.00 for 2024-2027). “EU 4 Gender Equality Phase II” (submitted to the EU Delegation, value of EUR 2,000,000.00 for 2024-2027). Supporting the Implementation of UN Women Albania Strategic Note 2022-2206 (Submitted to Sida, value of USD 1,600,000.00 for 2024-2026). Joint Programme on “Strengthening the human security and community resilience for women and youth in Albania” (submitted to the UN Trust Fund for Human Security, value of 165,700.00 for UN Women, for the period 2024-2026). “Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) Assessment for the Albanian Ministry of Defence” (submitted to the Elsie Initiative Fund, value of 366,000.00 for 2024-2026). “Empowering women in politics and decision-making in Albania” (submitted to UN Women HQ for internal funding stream, USD 83,460.00 for 2023). The proposal submitted to the ECA Regional Office for allocation of additional core funds was rated as best proposal and was granted with USD 180,000.00 to be used as catalytic funds for the next two years. In 2023, the country office has operated in a more climate conscious manner, embracing the hybrid modality of work for colleagues requesting work from home, in line with the Memo issued by this office in early January 2023 on the flexible working hours arrangements. Overall, the theory of change for this OEEF output remains relevant for the CO.