Tirana – On March 26 a high-level visit was held at the Technical-Economic High School of Tirana as part of the Superschools Exchange Programme, connecting secondary schools from Tirana and Delchevo. The event brought together representatives of the European Union Delegation to Albania, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Albania, National Agency for Employment and Skills, the Young European Ambassadors representatives, and the RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania. The visit was an opportunity to showcase the ongoing student exchange between the two schools and highlight the importance of engaging young people in intercultural dialogue while building meaningful and lasting connections across the region.
The partnership “Bridges of Unity” brings the two schools together through activities that promote cooperation and mutual understanding. During the visit, students from the Technical-Economic High School of Tirana and SOU “Metodi Mitevski Brico” from Delchevo participated in an interactive exchange session with institutional representatives, sharing their experiences from the Superschools programme and reflecting on the importance of mobility, cooperation, and learning together across borders. The event opened with a cultural welcome performance prepared by exchange students and continued with introductory remarks.
Ms. Evis Myftari, Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania hosted and facilitated the discussion between the invited institutional representatives and the participating students and teachers, highlighting the importance of being present in such moments where students can openly share their experiences and perspectives. She emphasized that “Superschools continues to create valuable opportunities for students and teachers from diverse contexts and communities to meet, learn from one another, and build lasting connections across the Western Balkans, strengthening trust, dialogue, and empowerment among young people and their communities.”
H.E. Mr. Silvio Gonzato, EU Ambassador to Albania:
“Today, even though we live in a highly connected world, social skills and intercultural understanding are more important than ever. The Superschools programme connects young people through dialogue, breaking down stereotypes and building lasting friendships. It acts as a gateway to broader exchange opportunities provided by the EU, such as Erasmus+, motivating youth to further explore both the region and Europe. By investing in these connections, the EU continues to build a foundation for regional peace and prosperity.””
Mr. Jan Maibom, Head of Culture and Press Section, German Embassy in Albania:
“Having had the opportunity to visit several Superschools exchanges across the region, it is always encouraging to see the positive impact that these partnerships have on neighbouring communities across the Western Balkans. They offer young people a unique opportunity to experience another culture closely, while discovering both the similarities and differences that connect the region.”
Ms. Anila Nanaj (Bani), High School Principal
“It has been a true pleasure to witness this week of exchange here in Tirana. Through this program, students and teachers have come together not only to learn from one another, but to build friendships, share experiences, and discover how close we truly are as people across the Western Balkans. Moments like these remind us how important it is to open our schools and communities to one another, and they encourage us to continue creating such opportunities for even more young people in the future.”
Mr. Klevis Hysa, Director of the National Agency for Employment and Skills:
“The National Agency for Employment and Skills is pleased to cooperate with RYCO and its partners for the fourth consecutive year within the Superschools programme. Supporting VET schools remains especially important for us, as these exchanges help young people not only strengthen their skills and broaden their knowledge, but also develop friendships and openness toward cooperation in the region and a shared European future.”
Mr. Klajdi Priska, Youth Representative in the RYCO Governing Board:
“At RYCO, youth exchanges are a cornerstone of our work. Opportunities like this allow students to discover how much they share, learn from one another, and build skills beyond the classroom through formal and non-formal education. I hope this partnership encourages students to stay connected and continue cooperating across borders in the future..”
The visit also included perspectives through a youth lens, with Ms. Olta Shehu, Young European Ambassador in Albania, who highlighted:
“It is inspiring to see young people step into spaces like this, connect, and grow through shared experiences. It really shows how powerful youth engagement is in building confidence and communication, and how these can create a stronger and more united future for our region. “
The Superschools program enables students from different local communities to take part in seven-day exchanges, during which they engage in joint activities that foster intercultural dialogue, share experiences, and participate in peacebuilding initiatives across the region. This program encourages young people to develop tolerance, openness, and a better understanding of regional perspectives by directly experiencing the cultures, traditions, and values of their peers.
About the Superschools program
Superschools is a RYCO program for school exchanges in the Western Balkans. Its objectives are to support peacebuilding, reconciliation, and intercultural learning and dialogue among schools, students, and their communities. The program is part of the multi-donor project “Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme,” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
