Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with European Movement in Montenegro and European Movement Novi Sad, National Youth Service and with the support of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), organized in Tirana on October 14, the workshop “A mapping and comparative assessment of the Youth Organizations in the Western Balkans”- Presenting the profile of Albanian youth organizations.
The workshop presented the results of the project “Enhancing Regional Youth Connectivity” providing a mapping of the youth organizations in the three partner countries, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. The event was attended by representatives of national and regional youth organizations, CSOs, Albanian national institutions and Media. Mrs. Merita Xhafaj, General Director of Social Policies in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration with youth organizations and CSOs in Albania and pointed out the importance of this policy brief for the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, so that this office could address the identified needs and gaps of the youth organizations in Albania through its future activities.
Mrs. Dafina Peci, General Secretary of National Youth Congress emphasized the role of RYCO in improving the youth cooperation and communication in the Western Balkans with the aim of promoting reconciliation and peace building values. Mr. Kreshnik Loka from National Youth Service underlined the inspiring values of RYCO in youth exchanges and reconciliation processes in the Western Balkans.
193 youth organizations, including youth movements, umbrella organizations, CSOs focusing youth, etc., from Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have contributed to the conduct of a comparative assessment of the profile features of the youth organizations, their activities, needs and constrains, and expectations from the upcoming Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), soon to be established in Tirana.
The research provides concrete recommendations to youth policy-makers and youth organizations. Specific country findings were presented by Mrs. Krisela Hackaj, Team Leader of the regional research, Mrs. Ivana Boskovic for Montenegro and Mr. Milisav Milinkovic, Serbia.
Mrs. Hackaj highlighted the urgent need for establishing proper data registers mapping youth activities in Albania. This allows building grounded youth policies and having proper monitoring and evaluation of the strategic framework. Providing intensive support to rural and out-of-capital youth initiatives is also important to a balanced social development process in the country. Movements in schools, universities or other learning environments and volunteering activities need also to be encouraged.
For a detailed insight on the findings you can read the policy brief here. You may also consult a comparative Factsheet with main features of the youth organizations of the region.
