IDM Albania - SMART Balkans

NOPM: Citizen empowerment and awareness-raising in decision-making processes

NOPM organized a workshop on public participation in decision-making and their engagement in policy development in the municipality of Ranilug with different stakeholders.

Key points of discussion included transparency and mechanisms of public participation in the decision-making process and local policy development. Specific challenges and immediate needs related to transparency, public participation in decision-making, and local policy development were also addressed during the workshop.

Several recommendations and forms of public involvement in decision-making were proposed, including:

Conducting more open debates with citizens
Exploring the possibility of contracting services from NGOs for budget planning, citizen consultations, etc.
Strengthening village councils
Simplifying budget planning formats to make them clearer and more understandable for citizens.

KEC: “Youth for Digitalization”

The project “Youth for Digitalization” organized its final coordinating meeting for this year with the Mentors of Media Clubs. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange information on the activities carried out and planned by the Media Clubs in the project’s partner schools. In this meeting, information about the progress in the development and implementation of the respective Action Plans of each club was also presented by each school.

140 students, members of Media Clubs along with mentor teachers from 7 high schools are participating in the training sessions on the theme “Media Literacy.”

🟩 Through these trainings, media club members and mentors are expanding their knowledge regarding media and information, specifically in developing critical skills to avoid fake news. Further, the training covers topics such as freedom of expression, promoting digital literacy at the local level, combating fake news, digitalization, combating radicalism, misinformation as a threat to security, data privacy, etc.

Kosovo Local Government Institute – Civil Society as a Promoter of Public Contribution

Kosovo Local Government Institute (KLGI) successfully concluded the second module of the project “Civil Society as a Promoter of Public Contribution” from the component “Social Engagement” with a two-training in Albania. In attendance were coordinators of thematic groups representing eight municipalities, all of whom were active members of civil society and committed activists.

The first study visit was conducted at TUMO Tirana (former Pyramid) to closely familiarize with the practices and processes that are being developed at the Directorate of Youth Policies in the Municipality of Tirana and witness the transformation of the former Pyramid into an innovation center. The revitalization of the Pyramid into an innovation hub with spaces for various cultural activities and business opportunities for youth has turned it into a prominent tourist attraction for foreign visitors. During this meeting, the group was introduced to advanced regional models in co-creating public policies in the field of local governance, simultaneously adapting them to provide the best services for citizens.

Following this, a meeting with IDM Albania representatives provided a closer look at the pivotal role played by NGOs and activists serving as facilitators between initiatives of local communities and municipalities; as well as exchanging practices and encouraging regional initiatives.

The concluding conference marked a significant achievement as 24 coordinators received certificates and will apply the acquired knowledge in their respective municipalities. In the next nine months, in the intermediary role between marginalized groups and municipalities, the thematic groups will over identify, analyze, map, address, and monitor policies based on the sensitivity of interest groups. Alongside engaged experts, they will produce proposals and creative contributions for municipal policies and finances.

During the module, the participants simulated processes of identifying various issues, placing them in a logical table according to thematic groups: women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable groups. Simultaneously, they practiced the process of discussing local public policies following the ‘British Parliamentary’ model.

Find out more here: “Civil Society as a Promoter of Public Contribution.”

“The Hidden Shades of Feminism”

“The Hidden Shades of Feminism” project resulted in a podcast series with 14 episodes aiming to address a broad range of women’s issues. 13 distinguished guests engaged in open and honest discussions to stimulate public discourse and promote a deeper understanding of the complex landscape of women’s experiences in Albania.

In the Albanian context, feminism remains a highly debated topic. While there have been strong voices advocating for gender equality, the prevailing narrative often leans towards a conservative approach, emphasizing the need for quotas as a solution to women’s issues. Unfortunately, this perspective unintentionally contributes to portraying feminism as a distant and unattainable reality, hindered by cultural and political barriers.

“The Hidden Shades of Feminism” seeks to challenge the prevailing discourse that has considered feminism as unimportant, promoting a more nuanced and inclusive perspective on women’s rights and gender equality. In doing so, it aimed to counter the dominant narrative, which, in some cases, has reduced feminism to a simple symbol of neoliberalism.

Attention was drawn to gender inequalities in the media, where a considerable percentage of journalists are women, yet they remain underrepresented in panel discussions and public debates. Often, women are portrayed in traditional roles, reinforcing patriarchal norms and failing to showcase their expertise, leadership, or role model status. This underrepresentation is particularly concerning as it perpetuates the perception that feminism has already been achieved, sidelining the struggles and voices of marginalized identities.

The podcast series explores various aspects of feminism in Albania with diverse guests and interesting topics, such as: “Sexy or sexist” with Ema Andrea, actress; “Who does literature love more, the mother or the woman” with Enkel Demi, author “If patriarchy had periods” with Rita Behadini, activist etc.

Throughout these episodes, “Hidden Shades of Feminism” brought to the forefront aspects and dynamics that have not been comprehensively addressed before, allowing a journey through various stages of a woman’s life in Albania.

Catch some glimpses of the project here: “Hidden Shades of Feminism.”

411497490_676341047960273_718397533797754758_n

Green Art center: “Media education as a guarantee of peace, security and social cohesion”

The project “Media education as a guarantee of peace, security and social cohesion” has held the activity planned for the month of December.

Today a Panel Discussion was held with institutional actors: Chief of Cabinet of the Mayor of Obiliq, Mr. Burim Gërguri and the Director of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mrs. Arba Mirena, members of KFOR- Unit Obiliq, local journalist: Mrs. Linda Bekteshi, now Director of Administration, civil society representatives: Mrs. Zelushe Kelmendi, community representatives: Mr. Shaban Berisha project participants (youth working group) and other participants.

During the panel, the 8-month work of the project participants was presented, which led to the creation of the informative and advocacy brochure on media education.

Next, a discussion took place between the panelists and the participants of the project, from which discussion important questions were raised about the role of local leadership institutions, security and civil society and the media in improving the environment for cooperation between communities, as well as the forms of how to work further to improve these efforts.

The participants of the project also presented an awareness video for media education, this video which will serve as awareness and advocacy material for other young people in Obiliq and will be presented separately in the respective schools.

Democracy for Development: Would you vote if elections were held next Sunday?

If elections were held today, 83-84% of Kosovans would participate in voting, 13-14% would not, and 3-4% are undecided. Men would display a higher voter turnout compared to women. Out of every 100 men, 85 of them would cast their votes, compared to only 82 women. 16 women would choose to stay at home, 5 more than men. This gender gap is smaller than in previous years, and if this trend continues, women’s voter participation is likely to equal that of men in less than a decade.

Residents of rural areas are more willing to participate in voting, approximately 3% more likely than those in urban areas. Representation is likely lower in urban areas, where the voter-to-representative ratio is higher, which, in turn, contributes to lower voter engagement. Political parties that focus on representing the interests of women and urban voters are more likely to improve their electoral percentages.

The data are derived from the survey carried out in June 2023, throughout Kosovo, with a representative sample of 1065 respondents, including all communities, in cooperation with UBO Consulting.

Tailor-made training “Strategic Communication and Content Creation for CSOs in Albania” November 30, 2023

On November 30, 2023 was held in Tirana the tailor-made training focused on “𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐒𝐎𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐚”. Anila Salianji, Project Manager in her opening remarks mentioned that SMARTBalkans aims to strengthen participatory democracy; empower civil society and promote an active civil society to engage in decision-making processes.

Valbona Sulçe, Media and Communication Expert started the session by asking whether communication is an innate trait, or a skill acquired over time. She explained the elements of communication and pointed out that they need to align and be successfully utilized to ensure the transmission and understanding of the message. Moreover, the message needs to be accurate, significant, clear, and emotional. Sulçe also added that communication is used to influence and alter behaviors as well as to motivate people to engage in specific activities. The expert asserted that over 70% of our communication efforts are prone to being misunderstood, misinterpreted, rejected, or unheard.

The second part was focused on the creation of a communication strategy. Sulçe stated that CSOs need a visibility plan to achieve the organization’s objectives, to engage and build relationships with various stakeholders and promote their work. In order to tailor communication strategies effectively she advised the participants to create an audience profile and research the way they receive information, their media literacy skills, and the way they consume media products. Later on, she went into depth about the independence of media outlets; ethical standards in their reporting; analyzing the nature and content of advertisements featured in the media. In this context, she pointed out that is important to understand the media market and the prime time for engagement for viewers. The training got more technical when the expert talked about the communication tools that CSOs can use with the media.

The training on strategic communication and content creation provided all the necessary pointers for CSOs to enhance communication and increase visibility. It is crucial that CSO representatives understand how to create engaging content, use visual elements and present themselves in the media outlets. The comprehensive understanding and implementation of these topics empower CSOs to amplify their impact and foster meaningful connections.

Find out more tips here: How can Civil Society Organizations communicate effectively?

QSNNN trainings on Chapter 11 and 12 of EU Acquis

QSNNN is expanding its operational capacity to establish a foundation for the regions of Puka, Fushë-Arrëz, Mirdita, and Vau Deja, with the aim of providing training, organizing workshops, and engaging civil society to enhance awareness of the safety and stability of citizens, based on the four chapters of European Integration.

Chapter 12 – Food Safety, Veterinary, and Phytosanitary Policy, covers detailed regulations in the field of food safety. The general policy on food products defines hygiene rules for the production of food products. Furthermore, the acquis provides detailed rules in the veterinary field, which are essential for preserving the health and well-being of animals and ensuring the safety of animal-origin food in the domestic market. In the phytosanitary field, EU regulations cover issues such as seed quality, plant protection materials, harmful organisms, and animal feed.

The training was conducted with MSc. I.Lleshi.

Topic of discussion: Legislation and the needs for improvements in the implementation framework of Chapter 12

Chapter 11 – Agriculture and Rural Development, which encompasses a large number of binding rules, the proper implementation of which by an efficient public administration is essential for the functioning of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Training was conducted with Prof. Dr. Zef Gjeta.

Topic of discussion: Chapter 11, Albania-EU relations

407414575_743330244495211_8763505967331196609_n

CBM: 𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫!

𝐀𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫!

In collaboration with the medicine high school “Xheladin Deda”, CBM has conducted the next workshop aimed at raising awareness among youngsters about the issue of human trafficking and its prevention. The importance of reporting suspicious activities related to human trafficking has been emphasized, making the youth an integral part of the solution. The workshop places a significant emphasis on prevention. This suggests that the organizers are not only interested in informing participants about the problem but also in equipping them with tools and strategies to prevent human trafficking. One specific aspect highlighted in the workshop is the importance of reporting suspicious activities related to human trafficking. This indicates a practical and actionable component, encouraging participants to actively contribute to the prevention of trafficking by being vigilant and reporting any signs of suspicious behavior.

Five hundred pine tree saplings planted in Topojan, Kukes

Five hundred pine tree saplings were planted in Topojan, as part of SIRA’s “Community engagement and decision-making for the protection of the Luma River in Kukes” project. Throughout this activity, the rehabilitation of a degraded area was carried out by planting 500 black pine saplings. The ground was prepared during the first week, and then the team of volunteers planted black pines in the second week despite the fact that the temperatures were dropping quickly. The saplings were planted in a separate steep territory allowing SIRA to monitor the growth rates easily. Support and involvement of the local community was crucial for this sustainable reforestation project.

Serving as an impactful awareness campaign, the initiative aimed to instill a sense of accountability among citizens towards the preservation of these areas. Planting a pine tree goes beyond a simple action, its importance extends far beyond what meets the eye. Trees play a vital role in preserving biodiversity by creating habitats for countless species and maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. The young participants engaged in planting the saplings attentively listened to representatives from the SIRA organization, who spoke about the significance of the environment in shaping the quality of life. A clean and healthy environment directly impacts the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Access to clean air, water, and green spaces contributes to a healthier lifestyle and a focus on environmental sustainability ensures the longevity of resources for future generations. The youth took on the responsibility to ensure that this territory receives the necessary attention to avoid any harm during the growth of the saplings.

The adverse effects of forest damage in the mountainous areas resonate deeply, impacting both the lives of the local inhabitants and the economic stability of the area. The organizers highlighted that their objectives extended beyond mere conservation, they aspired to effectively manage and utilize natural resources to ensure a sustainable tourism sector in the region. Non-interference in the Luma River opens up opportunities for the youth to establish new businesses, especially in agrotourism.