TIRANA, Nov. 7 /ATA/ – The government plans to allocate 50 million leks in 2027 to develop and upgrade youth facilities in seven municipalities across Albania, as part of broader efforts to expand employment opportunities, improve skills and encourage young people’s participation in public life.
The funding, included in next year’s draft budget, will be channelled through the National Youth Agency to projects in Himara, Bulqiza, Selenica, Divjaka, Cerrik, Shijak and Vau i Dejes, Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Blendi Gonxhja said on Saturday.
The projects will include renovating existing youth centres, creating multifunctional spaces, developing youth libraries and providing grants for youth infrastructure.
The investments aim to provide accessible spaces where young people can meet, learn, develop initiatives and take part in cultural and social activities, Gonxhja said.
Alongside infrastructure spending, the government plans to fund activities focused on skills development, exchanges of experience and stronger youth networks.
A key initiative will be RinCamp 2027, bringing together 200 participants from Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and North Macedonia for discussions on youth engagement and European integration.
A Winter School for Youth Workers will also be organised to strengthen local government capacities, improve services for young people and support cooperation between municipalities.
International programmes will form another part of the 2027 agenda.
The EU4Youth initiative aims to promote young people’s social and economic empowerment, while the Youth Guarantee seeks to provide employment, education or vocational training opportunities within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving education.
Other programmes include EMPOWERHER, which focuses on digital skills and entrepreneurship among girls and young women in rural areas; GOVER-NET, which promotes the participation of young people and vulnerable groups in local governance; and HARMONY, which seeks to improve mental health policies and services.
VOICE 2 YOUTH ALBANIA will focus on vocational training and career guidance, Gonxhja said.
The policies are aligned with Albania’s National Youth Strategy 2022–2029 and aim to strengthen young people’s contribution to the country’s economic, social and democratic development.
The government says the integrated approach is intended to expand opportunities for young people regardless of their place of residence or socio-economic background.
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