JUSE Goes Balkan 3.0
Youth Center “Perspektiva” and SAJV are implementing in Albania the project “JUSE Goes Balkan” which aims at sharing best practices in regards to youth in decision making, through involvement in youth councils, between Albania and Switzerland.
The mobility project has five goals:
- Increase advocating capacities and skills of youth workers and youth organizers for their involvement in decision making.
The mobility project originated from an earlier initiative, “We make democracy,” which was supported by Movetia and took place in 2019. Participants in that project were required to design projects based on their specific needs, and one of the identified projects emphasized the importance of developing and training advocacy skills. For Perspektiva and SAJV, advocating for youth is a central focus of their work, leading them to prioritize capacity building as one of the key goals.
- Deepening the practical knowledge about campaigning and youth led advocacy as key tool for democratic citizenship and youth representation.
Creating the design and execution of campaigns is vital for successful advocacy. This activity seeks to equip participants with knowledge on different campaigning strategies, promote shared learning through the exchange of best practices among peers, and uncover novel approaches to campaigning. This emphasis on new strategies is driven by the pressing nature of the current global health crisis and the emergence of new tools and technologies, which considerably enhance a campaign’s reach and effectiveness.
- Exchange of best practices between Switzerland and Albania about involvement of young people in decision making and broadening the (international) network.
Switzerland and Albania are linked by a significant number of people with Albanian roots who live in Switzerland. The partners see this project as an opportunity to break down barriers and reduce stereotypes between activists from the two countries. By bringing together youth workers and organizers to share experiences and expand their viewpoints, the partners aim to build enduring relationships and foster meaningful alliances.
- Develop collaborative strategies among the participants to foster inclusive decision making which can be replicated in the local communities.
The partners assert that democratic decision-making must be inclusive and accessible to everyone. Unfortunately,sometimes current approaches to involving youth often do not meet these standards. This activity is designed to help participants identify barriers and suppression tactics that impede equal involvement in decision-making. The complementary skills of the participating countries will enhance the project: Swiss partners provide experience with established youth participation frameworks, while Albanian partners offer insights into inclusive practices and methods.
- Creating an inclusive and safe space for young people from different communities and minorities in decision making structures in Albania and Switzerland.
The partners in the mobility project are concerned about current trends in public decision-making, where processes often lack transparency and fail to address the needs of the broader society. Youth and marginalized groups, in particular, are frequently overlooked, and their perspectives are not adequately considered. To address this, the project aims to raise awareness of the daily struggles faced by young people from these groups in participating in decision-making processes. It seeks to reduce negative stereotypes associated with these communities and to challenge participants’ views on inter-ethnic relations through peer-to-peer learning and personal exchanges.
The planned mobility activity took place in Durrës and in Përmet, Albania from 02nd May 2024 – 08th May 2024.
Profile of participants was young activists, youth leaders and youth workers, age 18-30 years old, who were engaged in civil society organisations or informal youth-led initiatives from Albania and Switzerland who were interested in developing themselves in the area of inclusion, democratic citizenship and youth in decision making.
The project was centered around an exciting rafting adventure. It kicked off with activities designed to help participants get acquainted with one another. The group then traveled to Gjirokastra, where they explored the city’s historic old town and its famous castle, known for its distinctive stone architecture. Also, they went to Permet.
Next, they journeyed to Permet, where they spent the night. The following day was dedicated to rafting on the Vjosa River, Europe’s last wild river, providing a thrilling experience. The participants had a fantastic time and enjoyed the rafting adventure.
Returning to Durres, the group engaged in preparation sessions to create “after movies” capturing their experiences. On the final day, they explored Durres, visiting historic sites to learn more about the city’s and Albania’s history. They also had the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and enjoyed a meal at a traditional seaside restaurant.
The project was not only fun but also enriching, and participants expressed a strong desire to join the project again in future editions.