From social exclusion to opportunities
Participant: Rifat Demalija
Organisation: 'Youth in Free Initiative', Albania
Project description
Talking for the future
The project was based in Kukes region, north and north east of Albania and included three districts; Kukes, Has and Tropoja with a population of 116000 inhabitants. Kukes Region is the poorest in Albania and interventions are needed not only to improve the economy of the region but also to educate people and specifically in this case youth on human and social rights. The training course organized within a project addresses social exclusion and cohesion development in the region and targets specifically young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, their access to social rights and promotes formal and non formal education.
The main aim of the project was to provide knowledge and skills to address social inclusion of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods through non-formal education.
Main objectives:
- To increase knowledge of the participants on social rights, prepare and use them as multipliers.
-To educate young people on Social Rights in particular by combating exclusion and by preventing phenomena specifically affecting young people.
-To have access to quantitative and qualitative information about social exclusion through training course.
-To better understand the principles for action against social exclusion and be part of the local government initiatives on social exclusion.
The following methods and project elements were used to achieve the objectives:
-organising a three-day Training Course on social rights for 30 young people living in low-income neighborhoods throughout Kukes Region;
-addressing social exclusion to target the community at large and have a broader impact of the initiative
The methodology was based on:
-YFI management team drafting the plan for the whole duration of the project
-Using the European Social Charter and youth training methods from Compass, T-Kit
-Selection of the participants based on clear criteria set by the leadership team.
- topics to be addressed, analyze youth social situation in the region, provide real life stories from young people living in disadvantaged neighborhoods to better serve the aim of the project.
Target group: some 88 young people from disadvantaged neighbourhoods, teachers, students form the University, journalists, youth employed and social workers from the Municipality
Social rights addressed: Rights to Housing, Education, Employment and Social Protection.
Local authorities involved
Local Government have been partnering before and during the project. During the drafting of the project we organized 2 preliminary meetings with youth, local government representatives and individuals interested on our programs. The partnership with Kruma and B. Curri municipality has been established creating a continuous and successful partnership work we have built with Kukes Municipality. Departments of development and planning were involved directly. Vice Mayor, Miss. Alketa Cenaj was directly involved on coordination of the activities and common meetings. They have supported the project by offering meeting spaces and drafting local youth policies.
Results
There was a great impact towards young people through learning about social rights in local level. Some of them were involved as facilitators, thus we can say that they have also benefited from the experience shared during this project. Another great impact we can mention is the local youth policies recommendations prepared by young people at the end of the project. These recommendations are prepared and presented to Local Authorities with the hope to be part of their work.
Follow-up and sustainability
The project is thought as follow up of previous actions, activities and projects implemented by YFI. The participants in the training course are registered in the Youth Regional e-Network run by YFI and are continuously informed on different topics. YFI produces an e-newsletter which is distributed monthly to the network. The newsletter includes description of activities organized by YFI and other actors working with youth and announcements on possible participation in trainings, seminars, workshops, etc that youth interested could attend. 5 of the participants have been selected to participate in the internship summer program organized by YFI in cooperation with Kukes Municipality. We are adapting our strategic plan towards social inclusion and in these contexts our policies will be developed on social rights and social justice. The experience gained and partnership set up already will serve us to continue working on social issues. Local policies we have recommended to local authorities will be another asset to continue even after LTTC ends.
Current stage of your project: Finalised
