Albania PLGP: Youth Boards: Empowering Youth for a Better Future

The initiative was part of the USAID Planning and Local Governance Project (PLGP), which aimed to increase youth participation in local governance and provide opportunities for them to contribute to their communities. The six partner municipalities of Bulqizë, Cërrik, Dibër, Kamëz, Librazhd, and Pogradec were involved in the project. Youth Boards (YBs) were comprised of energetic volunteers who provided members with social interaction and outreach opportunities to engage with local government and other community organizations. Nearly 450 youths actively engaged in constructive dialogues with municipal officials on relevant issues, giving a voice to these young advocates and helping local government units build constructive, representative policies to better serve their citizens. The creation of the Cerrik Youth Board, for example, significantly supported municipal efforts to build the capacities of local youth on leadership, active participation in decision-making, and community development. The Youth Academy Program equipped YB members with foundational knowledge and skills for their adult lives, and numerous collaborative activities nurtured their engagement with local authorities and the broader community. After-school activities such as field days and festivals enriched their social lives, while environmental clean-ups and issues-based campaigning elevated their awareness of the problems facing citizens and provided a platform for them to discuss tangible steps they could take towards change. The Youth Boards also provided a safe space for young women and men to meet and engage in constructive dialogues. The establishment of six Youth Centers, one for each board, further reinforced the value of YBs as hubs for social engagement and activism. These centers, ranging from refurbishment to complete building renovation, now function as gathering points for youth and are utilized to engender community engagement as a whole. The PLGP's Youth Boards have empowered young women and men to recognize their value, develop and utilize tools for transformation, and enjoy the physical and social space to move positive change forward, for themselves and their communities. The success of the Youth Boards can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the PLGP, local government units, and the young women and men themselves. The initiative has provided a platform for youth to engage in constructive dialogues, develop their skills and knowledge, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. As one of the participants noted, becoming a youth board member has allowed them to meet people with similar interests, engage with local authorities, and contribute to their community in a direct and meaningful way.