Librazhd Youth Survey Report

The project aims to strengthen and sustain six partner municipalities in Albania, including Bulqizë, Cërrik, Dibër, Kamëz, Librazhd, and Pogradec, through activities that contribute to preventing social exclusion, violent extremism, radicalization, marginalization, recruitment, and conflict. A key component of the project's work with local communities is engaging with youth, with the goal of developing and empowering them. The PLGP has supported the establishment and formalization of six Local Youth Councils, composed of volunteer youth active in their respective communities. The project aims to empower these youth through various activities and training programs that promote their growth and development through modern techniques and methods. One of the issues identified by the youth is their safety, particularly in dealing with pressure exerted on them through various information channels. In response, the PLGP and the Center Against Violent Extremism conducted a survey with 1,354 youth from these communities, including those from Librazhd, in late 2019. The survey was conducted through a questionnaire that included 23 specific and quantitative questions related to evaluating the current situation of media use and its impact on youth, particularly their online safety, relationships with family, school, and community. The collected information is confidential and was used only for statistical purposes of this study. The gathered and processed information will serve to organize a positive campaign with the six youth councils and youth activities aimed at empowering youth to become informed and engaged citizens in their communities. The survey report presents the findings from the survey conducted with 115 girls and boys aged 14-19 from the Bulqizë group. It is worth noting that the students from the schools in Librazhd were involved in the survey, and the members of the Librazhd Youth Council played a commendable role in working with their peers. The survey found that the majority of the respondents were girls, accounting for 60.7% or 202 girls, while the remaining 39.3% or 131 boys. The survey also found that the most influential institutions in the lives of the youth are family and school. A total of 308 youth (or almost 93% of them) stated that family has the greatest influence in their lives (their opinions have great importance), while only 9 youth (or less than 3%) think that it has little or no importance. In second place, in terms of influence on the youth's thinking, is school. A total of 197 youth (or 59% of them) consider the opinions of teachers to be very important, while 42 youth (or 12.6% of them) think that it has little or no importance. Considering the age of adolescence and the influence of peers in this stage of development, the third place in terms of influence is taken by friends. A total of 122 youth (or 36.6% of them) stated that the opinions of their peers "have great importance," while 151 youth (or 45.3% of them) stated that they "have some importance." It is interesting to note that in small communities like Librazhd, opinions of respected people in the community are valued to a greater extent than those of religious representatives or civil society organizations. The youth identified a range of issues and priorities (social, political, etc.) that require solutions, not only in their community but also more broadly. According to the problems and their importance, they are grouped into three main categories: issues related to youth, issues related to their community, and issues related to the development and progress of the country. Issues related to youth include bullying and violence in all its forms (including within families), racism, drug use (even in school environments), alcohol and tobacco use, school safety, the influence of the internet/social media on youth, etc. The youth are also concerned about the infrastructure and facilities that provide adequate and quality education, such as school reconstruction, modernization of educational institutions, and the availability of educational resources. The youth also identified issues related to their community, such as the lack of job opportunities, the need for improved infrastructure, and the need for better healthcare services. Finally, the youth identified issues related to the development and progress of the country, such as corruption, the need for improved governance, and the need for greater transparency and accountability. The survey findings highlight the importance of addressing the needs and concerns of youth in Albania, particularly in terms of their safety, education, and community development. The PLGP and its partners will use the survey findings to inform their programming and activities aimed at empowering youth and promoting their development and well-being.