By Dafina Peci, Executive Director of the National Youth Congress of Albania 

Young people are important collaborators in the here and now, and not only as future leaders. Their drive, imagination and will to see great ideas through to completion are vital for the advancement of society. Active youth engagement promotes democratic values, social progress and personal growth. It gives decisionmakers insightful knowledge about the problems that require attention. 

Young people in Albania are highly enthusiastic about EU integration, but their enthusiasm is not backed up by proper information, knowledge or means to participate. 

Albania could gain a lot by empowering young people to participate meaningfully in programmes and projects. This will help young Albanians express their needs and priorities and take action to make the changes they want to see. 

The National Youth Congress of Albania's ongoing engagement with youth has focused a major portion of its efforts on understanding the extent to which civil society activism and youth participation have changed society. In order to enhance young people's activities and participation in Albania's EU integration process, it is imperative that we seriously consider the lessons that have been learnt, starting with strong partnerships that prioritise youth, investing in youth as a valuable asset, and fostering greater synergies among all relevant stakeholders. These are, in my opinion, crucial. 

Partnering with young people and civil society to advance the EU integration process in Albania

In addition to being our true hope, young people are our main agents for change, helping Albania move forward — not just towards a better future, but also towards the finest possible present. They possess the bravery, the ideals and the will to bring even the most unbelievably difficult concepts to life. Adolescents who actively participate in society not only enhance their personal and social growth, but also foster a more democratic society and offer decisionmakers valuable perspectives on a range of issues and trends that require resolutions. Youth empowerment and engagement through meaningful participation in activities and programmes that address their needs and objectives would be extremely beneficial to Albania. 

Not only is participation a fundamental human rights concept, but it is also a practical means of promoting active citizenship for all. Even if casting a ballot and running for office are crucial components of democratic engagement, youth participation in everyday life involves more than just these activities. The prerequisites for active citizenship include having the right and opportunities to participate, but also having the means, space, tools and, when required, financial support to be able to influence decision-making and take part in actions and activities that strengthen and sustain society and make it more resilient. 

In this sense, expanding the networks of civil society organisations is essential for providing additional venues to involve and empower young people. Civil society organisations can find best practices, learn from one another, exchange information and discover new ideas by collaborating, building networks and generating synergies. Additionally, this enables them to deploy additional funding among the pillars of their shared work and to coordinate policies and programmes. Young people are empowered by the work done by civil society organisations, which also helps to strengthen the representation and participation of young groups in society. 

In order to use the potential and innovation that young people can bring to Albanian society by setting the path for social, cultural and economic growth, I hope this expansion takes shape and becomes a rallying call for youth and civil society activism. 

There is a long way to go and more efforts to be undertaken in order to increase the meaningful active participation, representation and leadership of young people in society. Involving young people should also mean creating and prioritising spaces for them to access information and opportunities for dialogue and knowledge-sharing with peers, stakeholders and decisionmakers.