Albania Hosts International Youth Guarantee Workshop and Study Visit
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Supporting young people's transition from education to employment is a key European priority and a critical investment in human capital. The Youth Guarantee programme aims to ensure that young people, particularly those at risk of exclusion, have timely access to employment, education, training, or apprenticeships.
Under the leadership of Deputy Minister Dr. Olta Manjani, Albania hosted a four-day Technical Workshop and Study Visit focused on the Youth Guarantee, the first regional workshop of its kind. In her opening remarks, she stated:
“As part of the EU accession process, Albania is sharing its experience with Ukraine and Moldova in implementing the Youth Guarantee, the largest employment and training program for young people aged 15-29. Together with development partners, the EU as the main donor and UNDP and UNICEF, we are moving from piloting to national implementation. The focus is on employment services, identifying and supporting young people, case management, and inter-institutional cooperation to ensure that every young person succeeds in life."
The study visit, coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and the National Agency for Employment and Skills (AKPA) and supported by UNICEF Albania and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Albania, brought together key Albanian institutions and partners in the Youth Guarantee
Following a successful pilot phase, supported by the European Union, UNICEF, UNDP, and national partners, Albania is preparing for the national rollout of the Youth Guarantee. The pilot has generated valuable experience in governance, outreach, case management, partnership building, and multisectoral coordination, areas critical to ensuring that young people receive the right support at the right time.
The study visit and workshop combined technical discussions with field visits, enabling participants to engage directly with policymakers, public employment services, municipalities, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and young people. In Shkodër, one of the Youth Guarantee pilot areas, participants examined how local institutions collaborate to reach young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) and connect them with relevant opportunities. Since implementing the Youth Guarantee, the Shkodër Regional Employment Office has served more than 950 young people, underlining the importance of strong coordination among employment services, local government, schools, and other community actors.
Moreover, the discussions examined the institutional arrangements, financing, monitoring, youth engagement, and partnerships needed to support the national scale-up of the Youth Guarantee, drawing on European experiences from countries including France, Austria, and Slovakia.
Albania’s experience has also attracted international attention. In early 2026, the Permanent Mission of Albania to the United Nations in Geneva, together with UNICEF, UNDP, ILO, the European Union, and partner governments, convened a side event during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council . This highlighted the Youth Guarantee as a rights-based approach to youth inclusion and human capital development.
Ana Gherganova, Head of the Employment Policy Department, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Moldova, reflected on the event:
“These four days offered a valuable opportunity for productive discussions and exchange on new approaches to youth policy, with a strong focus on cross-sectoral collaboration and a shared goal of enabling young people to become active participants in society. We are grateful to our Albanian counterparts for their openness in sharing not only their experience and achievements but also the challenges and lessons learned along the way.”
Uliana Tokarieva, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and National Coordinator for the Youth Guarantee implementation, added:
“For me, it was especially valuable to view our work from a different perspective, discover new approaches, and identify new ways to move forward. Ukraine faces a unique and challenging task: implementing the Youth Guarantee while the war is ongoing. At the same time, this remains a key priority for the Government of Ukraine, particularly in the context of Ukraine’s European integration.”
The workshop provided an opportunity not only to share Albania’s experience but also to learn from Moldova, Ukraine, and European partners. By bringing together institutions and practitioners from diverse contexts, the study visits strengthened regional cooperation, supported peer learning, and identified practical lessons to expand opportunities for young people and accelerate inclusive growth.
Youth Guarantee implementation of the pilot phase is part of the #EU4Youth Programme, funded by the European Union, which supports youth-friendly policies, partnerships, and practical solutions to help young people make successful transitions from education to employment across the region.
#EU4Youth is funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP Albania and UNICEF Albania, in collaboration with the National Employment and Skills Agency and the National Youth Agency, under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
