On 10 September 2026, the Central Purchasing Operator (CPO) signed a cooperation agreement with the Academy of European Law (ERA), focusing on assessing the professional development and training needs of OBP’s procurement officials.
Under the agreement, ERA will support CPO in conducting a structured assessment of its procurement officials’ training and professional development needs. This process will identify priority areas for capacity building and guide future training programmes in line with developments in European public procurement legislation and practices.
Strengthening the professional capacities of CPO officials will support Albania’s European integration process and the further alignment of public procurement practices with European Union standards and its regulatory framework.
Particular attention was also given to the digital transformation of public procurement, the development of infrastructure and artificial intelligence solutions for procurement procedures, and Albania’s closer integration into the European public procurement market.
The parties agreed to explore further opportunities for cooperation. Future training activities may take place in person in Trier or Tirana, as well as online, depending on the needs identified through the assessment process.
The signing of this agreement marks a concrete step towards strengthening CPO’s international cooperation and its continued investment in the professional development of procurement experts, with the aim of improving quality, fostering innovation and aligning public procurement practices with European standards.
