Elbasan, 14 March 2025 – Laughter, music, and the energy of young people filled Elbasan’s Dhaskal Todri High School, as Summer Day celebration brought together students from High School “Dhaskal Todi” and Gymnasium “Sveti Sava” from Belgrade and High Official guests, led by EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, who paid a visit to RYCO’s Superschools Exchange Program.
Welcoming the participants, RYCO Secretary General Albert Hani emphasized the significance of youth exchanges, highlighting their role in inspiring action, fostering connections, and shaping a collective vision for youth empowerment across the region. He noted that through programs like Superschools, RYCO has witnessed firsthand the power of young people in shaping a New Balkan Generation, one that breaks free from prejudices, embraces cooperation, and is committed to building a more united and peaceful region.
In her opening remarks, Commissioner Kos, highlighted the European Union’s commitment to youth engagement, emphasizing that the real impact of these programs isn’t just in policies or institutions but in the way young people perceive and understand each other. She spoke about how the friendships and trust built through these exchanges drive long-term regional stability, proving that cooperation starts with connections made at the individual level.
This wasn’t a day of just listening, it was about speaking up. Students took center stage in an open discussion, where they had the chance to engage directly with high-ranking officials. On this occasion, H.E. Silvio Gonzato, EU Ambassador to Albania, reinforced the EU’s commitment to supporting youth initiatives that contribute to reconciliation and cooperation, while Minister of State for Youth and Children, Bora Muzhaqi, brought a passionate perspective on the importance of youth mobiity, stating that programs like Superschools don’t just connect students, but also empower them to take action in their communities. She encouraged young people to view these exchanges as opportunities to challenge stereotypes, embrace differences, and become leaders of change.
The discussion, moderated by Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania , Kreshnik Loka , was enriched by insights from Country Director of GIZ Albania, Sonja Kurz, who emphasized how investing in youth is an investment in the future of the region. Orjana Osmani, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, spoke about the role of education in breaking barriers and creating opportunities.
Besides SG Hani, RYCO’s team at the event was represented by Head of Programs, Teodora Stolevska and Mimoza Gavrani, Superschools Project Manager, who engaged in conversation with students and participants on the role that young people play in Western Balkans region, highlighting the importance of Superschools program as sustainable effort to empower young people and create lasting change across the Western Balkans.
As the event came to an end, RYCO SG Albert Hani presented a “RYCOgnizing Friends of RYCO” medallion to Commissioner Marta Kos, recognizing her dedication to youth empowerment and regional cooperation.
Before saying their goodbyes, students honored Elbasan’s cultural heritage by sharing traditional gift boxes filled with homemade treats, a reminder that, while they come from different backgrounds, they share a deep connection to the traditions that shape their identities.
With every handshake, every interaction with young people, and every bracelet exchanged, the Superschools Exchange in Elbasan reaffirmed a simple truth: youth cooperation isn’t just a project, it’s a movement of trust and bond.
Superschools programme is part of multi donor project co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
