CIVIL SOCIETY BETWEEN POLITICAL INFLUENCE AND ALBANIA'S ASPIRATION TOWARDS EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

The transition in Albania has been marked by political and legal instability, and a lack of respect for the rule of law, which is different from the practices in European countries. The political immaturity in handling diverse approaches has led to the need to strengthen non-state mechanisms. Civil society plays a crucial role in shaping the political agenda based on citizens' interests. The strength, independence, and significance of civil society are important indicators of the consolidation of law and democracy. Albania's integration into the European Union depends on the interaction between state institutions and civil society, particularly their active participation in consultative panels for the alignment of legislation and monitoring of the entire process. The Albanian legislator is relatively supportive of civil society, as the law regulating their activities does not contain procedural obstacles and encourages the establishment of non-profit organizations. This is evident from the increasing number of registered non-governmental organizations in recent years. However, there is a lack of social activism, low participation, and insufficient funding. Overall, there is a lack of cooperation between civil society and local government, especially in rural communities and small towns outside the capital, raising questions about the effectiveness of non-governmental organizations in these areas. Civil society has been criticized for its passivity and seen as an extension of politics, which is concerning for Albania's integration ambitions. Close partnership and broad cooperation are crucial in this context.