Berat – From 22 to 24 April 2026, the city of Berat hosted a three-day Capacity Building Training (CBT) for members of Local Youth Councils (LYCs), bringing together young representatives and activists from Elbasan, Librazhd, Prrenjas, Mallakastër, Vlorë, Kuçovë, Lushnjë, Divjakë, and Berat.
The workshop was organized by the RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania in cooperation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, with the support of the National Youth Agency Albania, aiming to strengthen the role of Local Youth Councils as active contributors to local decision-making processes and community development.
In line with Albania’s Law on Youth and the mandate of Local Youth Councils across municipalities, the training focused on reinforcing participants’ understanding of their advisory role, strengthening advocacy skills, and supporting their engagement with local institutions. A special emphasis was placed on introducing the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda and exploring how LYCs can contribute to inclusive and participatory governance at the local level.
The workshop officially opened with remarks from Ms. Evis Myftari, Head of RYCO’s Local Branch Office in Albania; Ms. Xhezide Gurguri, Director of programs, coordination and youth cooperation and National Youth Agency; and Ms. Blerina Balla, Civil Society Officer at the OSCE Presence in Albania, who highlighted the importance of empowering youth structures and strengthening cooperation between young people and institutions.
Ms. Evis Myftari stated that
“Local Youth Councils play a key role in ensuring that young people’s voices are reflected in local decision-making processes. Through this training, we aim to strengthen their capacities to act as active partners of municipalities and contributors to peace, dialogue, and inclusive community development in line with the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.”
The remarks were concluded by sharing concrete open calls and upcoming opportunities that young people can apply for and follow at local and regional level, encouraging their continued engagement and role as active multipliers in their communities.
Throughout the training, participants explored practical tools for dialogue with local authorities, mapped the needs and challenges faced by their Local Youth Councils, and developed initial mini action plans plans to address priority issues in their municipalities. The sessions were delivered using non-formal education methods and facilitated by Ms. Ira Topalli, whose expertise strongly supported participants in strengthening their advocacy skills and understanding of the role of Local Youth Councils within the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda.
