Shkodra Youth Speak Up
Inside Albania's Youth Guarantee Reform
A recent visit by the National Committee to Shkodra highlighted the impact of UNICEF's work as part of the Youth Guarantee reform initiative. In one of the pilot cities for this program, about 25 young people are actively engaged in community outreach to raise awareness of the Youth Guarantee scheme, which aims to support young individuals aged 15-29 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).
A vibrant group of youth volunteers and activists, youth representatives from the Local Youth Council, gathered as part of the Local Partnership Network meeting at Atelie, a multifunctional public center in Shkodra that serves youth and the broader community. At Atelie, the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA), a key implementing partner, leads outreach projects that empower young people to advocate for the Youth Guarantee in their neighborhoods. During the gathering, youth ambassadors voiced their perspectives and identified gaps. They shared innovative ideas with the Director of the Local Employment Office, Director of the Local Education Office, Director of the Directorate of Social Service, Housing and Youth at Shkodra Municipality and the Director of the Vocational and Professional Formation Centre. In response to young people's feedback, Rozafa Zmijani, Director of the Vocational and Professional Formation Centre, announced the launch of two new training courses: Tourism Guiding and Digital Marketing, highlighting the importance of youth voices in shaping institutional responses.
The National Committee's board observed firsthand how local authorities in Shkodra are actively working to improve the futures of hundreds of young people who are currently outside of education, employment, and training. They met beneficiaries, including Artjola, who started her first job at the Employment Office; Gjergji, the Head of the Youth Council, who motivates peers about the benefits of the Youth Guarantee scheme; and Andrea, who conducts door-to-door outreach on training and job opportunities, demonstrating the effectiveness of peer-led initiatives.
The Youth Guarantee project is centered on addressing the needs of a generation at risk by providing skills and an offer of training, traineeship, professional or vocational formation or employment. In 2024, Albania's NEET rate stood at 22.2% among those aged 15-29, leaving about 106,000 young Albanians without access to opportunities. Many of these individuals are not just unemployed; they are inactive and often overlooked by institutions. Young women disproportionately bear the burden, often tied down by unpaid caregiving responsibilities.
However, the reform is already reshaping how services are delivered to young people. For example: The e-Albania portal serves as a unified digital entry point for registration and access, facilitating cross-sector coordination across employment, education, youth, and social services. Additionally, there is a proactive focus on preventing school dropouts to mitigate the emergence of new NEET cases.
Youth from Shkodra show that reform happens when young voices are not only heard but also acted upon. The Youth Guarantee is opening doors, allowing a new generation to step through. More than just a program, the Youth Guarantee signifies a coordinated governance shift led by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation and the National Agency for Skills and Employment, supported by the National Youth Agency, financed by the EU under the EU4Youth project, and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. As Albania moves forward into getting ready to roll out throughout the country the Youth Guarantee, the commitment of local and national institutions to empowering, upskilling and connecting its youth with the labour market continues to gain momentum, fostering a more inclusive future for all.
The Youth Guarantee is being piloted in Albania with the support of the EU4Youth project, which is funded by the European Union in Albania and implemented by UNDP Albania & UNICEF Albania, in cooperation with the National Agency for Employment and Skills, under the coordination of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.
