Local Youth Councils in 61 municipalities of the country have a role in implementing the youth guarantee program
The vocational school « Gjergji Canco » today received a high -level visit focusing on youth policies and initiatives that strengthen young people in Albania, with particular emphasis on youth guarantees. The meeting took place in the presence of the EU Commissioner for Inter-Breeding Justice, Youth, Culture and Sport, Glenn Micallef; Minister of State for Youth and Children, Bora Muzhaqi; Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation, Olta Manjani; as well as senior representatives of international and Albanian institutions, including the EU delegation in Albania, UNDP and UNICEF.
This meeting focused on the role of young people in society and the importance of their active involvement in decision -making, professional education and initiatives that promote youth participation and employment. Commissioner Micallef praised the youth policies undertaken by the Albanian government as he said « that there is a real moment and enthusiasm for the youth -focused policies in Albania ».
Minister Muzhaqi emphasized in her speech that one of the main goals of her work as a minister for youth has been to strengthen the voice of the youth and the creation of spaces where they are true actors, not just listeners. It emphasized the establishment of 61 local youth councils in all municipalities of the country and the creation of the National Youth Council as mechanisms to represent the interests and voice of young people at local and national level. Mechanisms that will have a special role in the implementation of the youth guarantee program, a program that offers a training, education or employment opportunity for every young man within 4 months of applying to labor offices. The youth guarantee program has been successfully piloted in 3 districts, in Tirana, Shkodra and Vlora, with 1,082 direct beneficiaries.
Another essential element,-Muzhaqi, is the support for civil society organizations that work with young people, through a methodology of European standards. The Minister also introduced two new programs, such as support for talented young people who enable international competitions with full financial coverage by the state, and financing informal youth groups where any group with four young people can register and benefit up to 10,000 Euros for community initiatives that they can implement in the cities where they live.
But the empowerment of young people also foresees their professional commitment. In this regard, the minister presented the changes made to the effort of national labor practices. During the meeting, a significant space was discussed between young people participating – beneficiaries of youth guarantee, early warning system and new European ambassadors with senior representatives, sharing their experiences, challenges and aspirations for the future.
