Annual Report 2019 - Beyond Barriers Association by Ira Topalli

WWW.BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

JANUARY - DECEMBER 2019

ANNUAL REPORT

PREPARED AND PRESENTED BY BEYOND BARRIERS IN MAY 2020

BEYOND BARRIERS ASSOCIATION RRUGA DON BOSKO, EDIL-AL, KULLA 4, KATI 8, AP 52/ POSTAL CODE 1026 PO BOX 87 TIRANA ALBANIA MAIL: OFFICE@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG WEB: WWW.BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG PHONE: +35544860136 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2020

2019

ANNUAL REPORT

content A WORD FORM THE DIRECTOR

HIGHLIGHTS AND STATS

YEARLY PROJECTS

PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED DURING THE YEAR

LOCAL/NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

PARTNERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS WE PARTNERED WITH DURING 2019

VOLUNTEERS SENT ABROAD

EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS

REPRESENTATION IN STRATEGIC EVENTS

DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS

DONATIONS

YEARLY BUDGET AND EXPENDITURES

PUBLICATIONS

a word from the director A YEAR IN REVIEW FOR BBA

If I would use a metaphor to describe Beyond Barriers Association, I would say it resembles to a tree that grows every day and year, with the special care of members, activists, volunteers, staff, friends and supporters. While growing and amplifying the voice of youngsters, today BBA is a strong actor contributing to youth sector development in Albania.Â 2019 was an important anniversary for BBA, we became 15 years old and in this special year we reached and engaged youngsters more than ever before, focusing in direct actions, capacity building and creating an enabling environment for youth participation in different levels.Â During this anniversary, BBA team implemented successfully 28Â projects in cooperation with our national and international partners, covering our 6 strategic programmes. This Annual Report tracks the progress of BBA work in the youth field, featuring various actions implemented in local, national, regional and European level. Some of the most outstanding actions implemented amongst others are: the creation of innovative board games in human rights education for young people by young people, boosting volunteering initiatives in the regional and national level and building a coherent and unified volunteering framework in Western Balkans, coordinating capacity building actions in peace building, reconciliation

and intercultural learning in regional and European level, Influencing youth policy and compiling research work and relevant information in employment, employability and entrepreneurship, etc. Another important part of our work is the role as a Contact Point for Albania for two European programs: Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps. BBA has provided assistance, information and offered support to more than 80 civil society organisations, as well as to the 61 Municipalities in Albania and several other local and national public institutions. Our aim was to raise the capacities and guide them how to participate effectively in the abovementioned programmes. Having worked through all 2019, the end of year also brought us a very good news together with big challenges as well. BBA is proud of being part of the fantastic team that worked hard and made it possible for Tirana to receive the title of European Youth Capital 2022, awarded by European Youth Forum and selected by more than 13 prestigious European institutions and other actors. We are proud of the work done in these regards because we believe that this title will put youth on the political agenda and force government structures to invest more meaningfully in the youth sector.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

a word from the director Right after this good news, November 2019 found us in a chaotic situation especially in Durres and Tirana caused by the earthquake and in times like these we could not be indifferent to this devastating moment for the entire country! Our volunteers, staff and activists immediately engaged in supporting the families in need and showing solidarity in these hard times. Further we decided to shelter one family with 2 small children whose house was destroyed. As a donation, BBA bought a “container house” and made sure that at least this family of 4 members would spend New Years Eve in a warm shelter and not out in the rain and cold! What is featured in the following report recognizes the efforts that by working and cooperating together with various key stakeholders and state institutions, providing means, opportunities and space for action to young people, listening to the youth voice, leveraging data for impact, inspiring by real examples, believing in what we do, CAN make an amazing difference in our everyday life!

I WOULD LIKE TO ESPECIALLY THANK OUR DONORS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED AND WORKED WITH US TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AGAIN IN THE FUTURE! A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS AND VOLUNTEERS WHO ENGAGED IN OUR ACTIVITIES AND THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT ENTHUSIASM, IDEAS AND INSPIRATION YOU BROUGHT ON BOARD! THE LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE STAFF OF BBA, AS NONE OF THE IMPACT PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE MOTIVATION AND HARD WORK DONE BY THEM.

RESPECTFULLY YOURS, ANA MULLANJI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

highlights and stats 2344 participants in national events 289 participants in international events

8 yearly project 13 international partnerships 7Â Albanian volunteers sent in 6 EU countries through ESC 03

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

highlights and stats 80Â civil society organisations and 61 municipalities trained and informed about Erasmus+ and ESC 4 educational board games on human rights created by youth for youth, 1 brand registered

1 law intervention, 3 publications, 1 donation ANNUAL REPORT 2019

YEARLY PROJECTS

EU Programs: Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps

CAPACITY BUILDING AND PROMOTION OF ERASMUS + AND EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS IN ALBANIA

Beyond Barriers is the Contact Point for Erasmus + and ESC (ex-EVS) programmes in Albania since 2011. As such, BBA has a mission to support organisations and individuals interested in organising projects in in the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, youth field, and European Solidarity Corps. To this end, we offer information and advice and run targeted information and training activities with the support of SALTO SEE.

WE HELD 26 DAYS OF EVENTS, WITH 939 PARTICIPANTS During 2019 BBA has organized 20 activities, a IN 12 CITIES total of 26 days of info-sessions, training courses, Living Library, Open hours in Këlcyrë, OF ALBANIA. Rrogozhinë, Lezhë, Pogradec, Durrës, Fier, Fushë-Krujë, Shkodër, Vlorë, Korcë, Tiranë and Maliq to promote and support the capacity

building of organisations, institutions, and youth on European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ Programmes of European Commission.

Supporting SALTO-SEE: As a CP, BBA also

Partnerships and collaborations: Through out

“ Cherry on the cake” - Youth Exchange in the

the year, we cooperated with different stakeholders, while developing closer partnerships and cooperation to promote the program. As such BBA as a CP cooperated with: National Youth Service under Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth; European Union Delegation to Albania; Municipality of Tirana; Europe Partners for Development; Union Programs in Albania; Partners Albania; and National Youth Congress.

context of long term work with groups of young people” a training of 4 days took place from 10-14 November 2019 in Tirana, Albania. Western Balkan Project Lab - a training that

logistically assisted SALTO SEE to organise 2 international events in Albania.

aims at bringing the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth and the European Solidarity Corps closer to organisations in the Western Balkan Partner Countries, took place from 2123 October 2019 in Tirana, Albania.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

YEARLY PROJECTS

Web4YES WESTERN BALKAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

During 2019 BBA continued with the implementation of Web4YES project which is in its 2nd year now. This project represents a regional-scale initiative designed to deliver innovative cross-sectorial approaches and provide young unemployed citizens of the Western Balkan region opportunities for employability enhancement and employment. The project is designed to address the existing challenges of insufficient cooperation among the civil society actors and public authorities in Western Balkan in the policy processes and decision-making toward the reform process regarding youth unemployment. Among the main activities of 2019 were: Policy Dialogue: National Advocacy Campaign- with the support of the National

Fora (establish in 2018 by the project) and with the collaboration of National Youth Congress, BBA engaged in the process of supporting the improvement of the Draft Law on Youth, initiated by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. Though a set of meetings with youth CSOs in Albania, consultations with different stakeholders and lead by NYC, the campaign took a stand in proposing the government a set of measures and recommendations that would improve the Law on Youth before its approval in

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Parliament. “ Development of Public Policies in the Youth Employment Field " a 2 days training

hosted in Durres on 3-4 April 2019, with participation of 15 grassroots CSOs from Durrës, Fieri, Korça, Lezha, Shkodra, Tirana, Vlora and Pogradec. The aim of the

training was to offer CSOS a chance to improve their capacities in advocacy and youth employment policy development. Launch of the Open Call for the Award of the Small Grants Scheme and organization

of 2 info session. About 5 0 representatives of 35 grassroots organisations working with

employment and entrepreneurship issues of youth all over Albania, took part in the two info sessions that were held in Arka Youth Centre in Shkodra and in Europe House in Tirana. Grant Award Ceremony for 18 small scale CSOs from the WB was hosted in Belgrade

where 4 Albanian CSOs , National Association of Orphans of Albania-ANOA (lead), Support to Women Householders Association (lead), Vjosa Explorer (lead) and Institute for Change and Leadership in Albania (Partner) were among the 18 CSOs that have been awarded with the financial support from European Union.

YEARLY PROJECTS

Web4YES WESTERN BALKAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT Capacity Building Training held on 5-7

September in Belgrade, with the aim to strengthen the grantees capacities and knowledge for the implementation of the project. 18 CSOs from the WB region participated to the event. Study visit in Sweden and Denmark - From October 7 - 11, 2019, representatives of the 18 awarded CSOs and the project partners participated in a study visit to Sweden and Denmark, organized by Olof Palme International. The aim of the visit was to strengthen the capacities of 18 awardwinning Western Balkan organizations through learning about mechanisms and good practice examples in Sweden and Denmark regarding youth employability policies. Among the visited institutions and CSOs were: FH - Danish Trade Union Confederation in Copenhagen, Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, Drivhuset Hub in University of Malmo, Malmö folkhögskola, Citizens' Association Career Academy of the Malmo Football Club, National Employment Service in Sweden. WEB4YES has been supported under the framework of the Civil Society Facility and Media Programme 2016 – 2017 Consolidating Regional Thematic Networks of Civil Society Organisations by the European Commission. WeB4YES Project will last for 36 months starting from January 2018.

WWW.WEB4YES.EU WWW.WEB4JOBS.INFO

The project coordinator is Belgrade Open School and the partners on the project are: Beyond Barriers Association (Tirana, Albania), Association for Democratic Prosperity – ZID (Podgorica, Montenegro), Institute for Youth Development KULT (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina), NGO Lens (Pristina, Kosovo), National Youth Council of Macedonia (Skopje, North Macedonia) and Olof Palme International Center (Stockholm, Sweden).

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

FAIR PLAY

YEARLY PROJECTS

FAIR PLAY- CREATIVE LEARNING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

“Fair Play – Creative Learning for Human Rights” was a 9 months project implemented focused on the promotion of human rights among young people, with the use of board games as a creative and innovative educational tool. Implemented in 5 towns of Albania (Tirana, Durres, Fushe-Kruje, Gramsh and Maliq), it reached a direct engagement of 610 young people using a cross sectorial approach in cooperation with 4 high schools, teachers, young people, civil society actors and youth workers. This project aimed to assist young people, civil society organizations (CSOs) and institutions in addressing human rights issues through education and creative tools in a long-term perspective. The project promotes human rights education (HRE) and increases competences of young people, youth workers/leaders/activists to develop educational board games using innovation tool as gamifying with young people from marginalized target groups. Peer to peer approach was integrated while youth themselves contributed in creating, testing and using the educational games. The project’s focus was to raise awareness on importance of protection of human rights in the local community and for the first time brought gamification element in the education sphere in Albania. This unique project, introduced educational games into the formal educational setting of high schools, where through the non-formal learning approach, topics of human rights which might be difficult or taboo to discuss, were served in a playful mode.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

610 YOUNG PEOPLE (372 F& 234 M) AND 4 TEACHER WERE DIRECTLY ENGAGED THROUGH ALL THE PROJECT. 4 HIGH SCHOOLS IN 5 CITIES 28 YOUNGSTERS LEARNED ABOUT HR AND GAMING. 4 GAMES ARE CREATED GAMES ARE COPYRIGHTED UNDER *MESO PERMES LOJES, A NEW BRAND THAT BBA REGISTERED. Participants involved in the project were pupils aged 16-18 years old from four high schools of 4 different towns and young people 16-25 years old from the BBA activists and volunteers’ group. The games produced as final products, target youth aged 15-20 years old, while they can also be used by older ages as well.

FAIR PLAY

YEARLY PROJECTS

FAIR PLAY- CREATIVE LEARNING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Activities :

1. Three days training on human rights with participants 28 youngsters, coming from 4 high schools and BBA activists and volunteers. The main aim of the training was to increase the participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes in human rights and human rights education 2. Game LAB training included the same 28 young and the main aim of the training was to introduce young people to educational game design and improve their skills in game production for human rights education. 5 different games were designed in the training, all initiated and led by the youngsters themselves and guided by the expert trainers of BBA. 3. Community Testing -13 testing workshops (2 per each school and 3 in Tirana) were organized to test the games with direct participation of 575 young people aged 16-25 (217 F and 354 F). 4. Expert review and Production – all the feedback received in the community testing was further integrated in making the games more functional in all aspects. Our external expert and staff reviewed and created the final versions of the board games which were then sent for design and print. 5. Fair Play Day - The final game presentation event was organized in Tirana on 10 December the International Day of Human Rights. More than 220 participants were introduced and played the final educational games. Representatives of civil society, young people aged 16-25 from different schools of Tirana, teachers, representatives of Tirana Municipality and representatives from the Ministry of Education Sports and Youth took part in the event. Fair Play was sub-graded by World Vision Albania and Kosovo and SEEYN in the frame of the call “Youth for Human Rights in Albania”, financed by European Commission.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

FAIR PLAY

YEARLY PROJECTS

FAIR PLAY- CREATIVE LEARNING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Ci rcle of rights The game aims to provide information for Universal Declaration of Human Rights, boost the discussions and critical thinking of participants, foster reflection on human rights and their understanding in a creative way. Number of players: 4 groups (maximum 4 persons in each group) and one facilitator Age: 12 + Time: 45 minutes

Rights in my city The game aims to provide information about institutions which protect the human rights in Albania and increase empathy and understanding about human rights and the instruments for their protection. The number of players: 3 groups, (maximum 4 players for each group) and one facilitator. Age: 12+ Time required: 45 minutes

Take a stand! The game aims to foster critical thinking and debate skills for participants. It helps participants made a distinction among political, civic, social and economic rights and help participants reflect in sensitive issues related with human rights. The number of players: 10 – 24 players and one facilitator Age: 14+ Time required: 90 minutes (depends on number of participants)

Beyond the barrier The game aims to provide information about Convention on Rights of the Child and foster reflection to better understand children rights. The number of players: 2-4 persons and one facilitator Age: 12+ Time required: 45 minutes

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

route wb 6

YEARLY PROJECTS

REVIVING VOLUNTEERING IN THE WESTERN BALKANS

ROUTE WB6 is called the newest initiative, where BBA is an implementing partner and will work for the next three years focusing on the topic of volunteering. This three-year project is led by the Tirana-based Regional Youth Cooperation Office-RYCO, and will be implemented by the South East European Youth Network from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Youth Cultural Center Bitola from Northern Macedonia, Young Researchers of Serbia from Serbia, KULT from from Bosnia and Herzegovina, ADP-ZID from Montenegro, NGO Lens from Kosovo * and Beyond Barriers from Albania. The project, is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a period of 3 years (2019-2021). Â ROUTE WB6 aims to initiate and lead intercultural dialogue and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans towards a democratic and socio-economic development, using regional volunteering and voluntary exchanges as a powerful tool. Through the implementation of this project, the partnership consortium will use long-term and short-term volunteerism as a tool to contribute to reducing social and ethnic distances among young people in the region and also to promote European values that lead us to reconciliation and coexistence in peace, stability and prosperity in the WB. During these three years the project aims to meet the following objectives: Strengthen the capacity of the National Voluntary Services in WB6 to advocate for

volunteer policies at national and regional level. in order to create an enabling environment for the development of volunteering as an effective tool that contributes to reconciliation and youth movement in the Western Balkans region. To create the infrastructure for regional volunteerism and exchange of volunteers in WB by directly contributing to intercultural dialogue, reconciliation and peace in the region Support civil society organizations and WB youth in order to facilitate intercultural dialogue, youth movement and cross-border exchange in the region.

284 PARTICIPANTS AGED 1525 YEARS OLD WERE INFORMED ABOUT VOLUNTEERING INFRASTRUCTURE. 75 YOUTH ACTIVISTS AND VOLUNTEERS WERE INTRODUCED TO VALUES AND BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEER WORK ANNUAL REPORT 2019

YEARLY PROJECTS

route wb 6

REVIVING VOLUNTEERING IN THE WESTERN BALKANS and ways how to engage in meaningful volunteer work for better and more organized communities. In house training to LENS – Management and establishment of local and national volunteer centers

Activities

During 2019 BBA has conducted a strategic analysis, identified institutional actors, networks and organizations which will be engaged actors in the implementation of this project. Info Session – Reviving volunteering in Albania

BBA has implemented 5 info sessions in Tirana, Durres, Fushe Kruje and Maliq, to promote the concept of volunteering, values and benefit of volunteer work, and legal framework. Through the 2019 advocacy campaign BBA sought to revive the volunteering, re-explore the current situation of volunteering and solidarity values connected to it, inform citizens on the Law on Volunteering in Albania and also gather information from CSO-s and young people about their actual understanding and needs towards volunteering infrastructure and knowledge. 284 participants aged 15-25 years old, were beneficiaries of the info sessions.

From 28-30 October 2019, BBA shared their experience and knowledge on volunteering infrastructure by providing LENS as a project partner with a 3 days in-house training for 6 members of the staff. During this training the staff of LENS could get a deeper understanding on how to set up and run a volunteer service centre in local and national level, explored the internal capacities and the external factors that can help to establish such structure, explore the actual legal framework and got equipped with a set of information and resources to help them establish the structure as part of the project. Survey: Volunteer infrastructure in Albania Status quo and developments

In September-November BBA conducted an online survey on the volunteering status quo in Albania, with a questionnaire sent to many organizations throughout the country. The main objective of the survey was to gather data and information regarding the volunteer engagement in civil society organizations in Albania. The questionnaire targeted civil society organizations in Albania, specifically those working with young people but not only, and seeks to analyze their knowledge on volunteer programs, infrastructures and actual legal frameworks. The online questionnaire was sent to more then 3000 CSOs, using the public list published online by Agency for Support of Civil Society, where only 58 of them responded and were used for the analyzation of the data.

Training- Values and benefits of Volunteering

In collaboration with National Youth Service under Ministry of Education Sports and Youth in Albania, we organized 2 trainings held in Vlora and Korca regional Youth Centres, where 75 youth activists and volunteers of the centres were introduced to values and benefits of volunteer work, volunteering infrastructure in the country, perspectives of the regional volunteer program that the project is developing

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

route wb 6

YEARLY PROJECTS

REVIVING VOLUNTEERING IN THE WESTERN BALKANS Activities Marking 5 December as the International Volunteer Day – How to boost volunteering?

The event was held in Tirana and postponed to 10 December due to the earthquake situation, while it gathered 24 organizations and institutions to further discuss the volunteering issue in the country. A panel discussion with the participation of key stakeholders such as the World Vision Albania and Kosovo, RYCO, National Youth Congress and National Employment Service, debated and shared their concerns related to the status of the volunteer legal infrastructure in Albania, the conditions for the law implementation, the challenges faced by the CSOs in order to implement and respect the law, and sought to give space to a discussion on how can we move further and how can we all engage to regulate and promote volunteering and bring it in the table as a useful tool for young people. The data of the survey from BBA were also presented and further gave way to the panel discussion of the guest speakers. This activity was organized with the collaboration of World Vision Albania and Kosovo. Through the year BBA also took part in Partners meetings, while organizing the first one in Tirana, attending 3 others in Podgorica and Kosovo, where the Codex on volunteering was discussed and further prepared.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

YEARLY PROJECTS

Swapping cultures - erasing borders

Swapping Cultures Erasing Borders is a 9 months project that started in June 2018- and was finalized in February 2019, financed by the first pilot Call for Proposals of RYCO and implemented by Beyond Barriers Association in partnership with BLINKKosovo*, PEL- Macedonia and SVETLOST- Serbia. The main aim of our project was: To facilitate the process of intercultural dialogue of young people in the youth field by using creative approaches and increasing the quality of youth work and, To encourage young people to advocate for intercultural dialogue and culture diversity as a treasure and resource of our societies and as a means for mutual respect, tolerance and understanding. Through a set of activities, workshops, new creative tools and methods and with the use of non-formal education, the youngsters which were part of this project had an opportunity to learn and develop a stronger sense of cultural diversity, respect and mutual understanding. The basis of the project was initiated on the pillars of respect and tolerance, by addressing the respect for ourselves and other people’s opinions and viewpoints, in order to nurture tolerance and respect for diversity. It brought on board a set of creative tools such as “Swapping cultures” and “Theatre of the oppressed” with addressing a key emerging challenge for Balkan youth – promotion of intercultural dialogue and respect for each-other.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Through activities organized locally, youth workers/activists tested the techniques used and analyzed the impact in local level with other young people. Inclusion of youth from various backgrounds and specifically those with fewer opportunities were crucial and an added value to make sure no one is left behind, because we believe that everyone must have a chance to participate and learn with their peers in a safe environment.

YEARLY PROJECTS

Swapping cultures - erasing borders What did we reach? 201 young people (112 Females and 89 Males)

aged 16-30 years old directly participated in the regional and local activities of the project and improved their knowledge, skills and attitudes in intercultural dialogue, culture diversity and inclusion. 85 youth aged 16-20 years old were introduced with the Swapping Cultures and Theatre of the Oppressed methods, both tools that help them to promote tolerance, mutual respect and fight in decreasing levels of hate speech in the region 4 best postcards showing intercultural dialogue were selected in the competition,

printed and used throughout the project. 3350 postcards were used in the online and offline campaign as a promo tool and as a direct message to: decision makers, families, friends, RYCO Local Branch Officers and Secretariat, partner organizations around WB, EU countries and citizens in all four partner promoters during the project campaign! 4 regional activities and 4 local activities were organized by the partnership and the youngsters during 9 months 7 short videos with an aim to display, promote and treasure culture diversity and intercultural dialogue in WB were made by local youth themselves and shared online to raise awareness among the online community.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Divided Past Joint Future

YEARLY PROJECTS

SOCIAL INNOVATION FOR PEACE BUILDING AND RECONCILIATION

Divided Past- Joint Future is a project that BBA is implementing since 2016, in partnership with 18 other organizations in the region of WB and EU. The project aims for CSOs to be recognized by governments as an important societal factor with strong capacity to implement peace-building and reconciliation agenda in the WB and Turkey, therefore contributes to security and stability of the region in the process of EU integration. This project is led by our Bosnian partner OKC, and implemented in the following 7 IPA beneficiary countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey, also including the project partner organisations from Netherlands, Slovenia, Austria and Croatia. During 2019, BBA was engaged in different activities for the project where in focus was the advocacy campaign, hosting the Training of Trainers and finalising the last year of the project.Â As such few of the project elements were: The Training of Trainers hosted in March in Durres, organised by OKC and SEEYN, brought together 14 trainers from WB & Turkey. The first WB team of trainers skilled in the use of innovative approaches for social innovation for peace building and reconciliation, is

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

therefore ready to deliver trainings on Social Innovation Lab using cross-stakeholder approach. Training on Social Innovation in Peacebuilding and Reconciliation was then

held by BBA in August 2019, with participation of 4 organisations with 5 participants each. The 4 selected organisations created teams of 5 people coming from CSOs, business sector, public sector, citizens and media representatives that attended the 2 days training and learned how to innovate in their sector and find solutions while engaging the cross sectorial approach. Among other events BBA also produced a 15minute video to summarize the whole campaign promotion, with main focus in the National Trainings on Social Innovation in Peacebuilding to give the audience an overview of the whole training process. A poster called the Map on Social innovation on peacebuilding was printed and a Trainers manual on social innovation for peace building that was prepared by SEEYN, will be translated in Albanian.

YEARLY PROJECTS

Youth Artivist for change PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS

In 2019, BBA became a partner in the regional project Youth Artivist for Change. The project focuses on empowering young filmmakers, storytellers, artists and activists in producing films and performances on human rights /LGBTIQ+ rights and gender equality issues through creative tools such as the use of film, theatre, podcast and storytelling. YAC is a creative and innovative alliance between Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania and The Netherlands. The project targets the participation of youth aged 15-24 years old and those working with youth, where the focus is to empower them in their path to change and to create social awareness on Human rights / LGBTIQ+ rights and gender equality through the arts. The alliance consists of a broad coalition of 17 organizations working in the field of: Arts & Culture, Human/LGBT rights, Gender Equality and Youth (Advocacy) Work. In Albania YAC is led by Open Mind Spectrum Albania (OMSA) and the consortium is composed of the the Dutch partner organization Stichting Art.1, and the Albanian partner organizations Useful to Albanian Women, Open Doors and Academy of Film & Multimedia MARUBI, under the financial support of The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tirana and Dutch Ministry

35 YOUNG ACTIVISTS TRAINED ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE AND ADVOCACY 25 YOUNGSTERS RECEIVED 5 DAYS TRAINING OF TRAINERS ON HUMAN RIGHTS

of Foreign Affairs. The project is under implementation from 2018 and it will be finalised in 2020, with activities happening in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

YEARLY PROJECTS

Youth Artivist for change PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS

In late 2019 BBA hosted and organized 2 training course for the project. Human Rights and Advocacy was a 4 days training of 15 youngsters Â with the aim to

train young people for human rights, focusing on the rights of LGBTI people and gender equality, as well as to give them knowledge on advocacy and how to mobilize and advocate for their rights.

Training for Trainers for Human rights activists was a 5 days event for 25 young activists from different cites of Albania,

where they could acquire the set of skills, knowledge and attitudes on becoming trainers in human rights and LGBTIQ+ issues. They learned the skills, techniques and got a lot of useful resource that can help them become better trainers that work with young people. The project will continue its implementation during 2020, where BBA will conduct another set of trainings.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

walking the path of reconciliation

YEARLY PROJECTS

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES FOR A PEACEFUL SOCIETY “Walking the path of reconciliation- empowering communities for a peaceful society” (Walk On) is a capacity building project financed by European Union under the Erasmus + program. BBA leads the project in partnership with with five other partners Lens-Kosovo, YCC-North Macedonia, EKC-Serbia, LDA Sisak-Croatia and Mladi Volonteri-Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project aims to build the competences of youth workers, teachers, young people and community youth leaders in the Western Balkans, to address and work with reconciliation, countering hate speech and promoting peace building. Peace building cannot be reached if we don’t all work together, therefore this project proposes a thorough approach in involving different stakeholders of the community and equipping them with skills and expertise how to fight these negative phenomena in their environment. The project seeks to establish a successful practice and with positive regards to establish a network of association in the WB ad EU who are committed into promoting reconciliation, sharing know how and fighting hate speech a different level. By the combination of the working packages and the educational approaches this proposal not only makes a direct change at personal level of the directly impacted participants, but also promotes a greater sense of community cohesiveness and brings the reconciliation discourse to grassroots level, making it more sensible for the communities and reaching out to the youngsters as direct change makers. The first activity of the project was the kick off meeting which was held on 1-4 December in Bitola, North Macedonia 2019. Partners gathered to finetune the action plan and make a clear task division with clear goals and milestones to be reached as priory planned in the project proposal. The other activities of the project such as the research, online and offline campaign, mobilities and local actions are to be continued through 2020.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

LOCAL/NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Tirana European Youth Capital 2022 IMPORTANT STRATEGIC LOCAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS Whe n i t c o me s t o a dv o c a t i ng f o r y o ut h pa r t i c i pa t i o n a nd de v e l o pme nt o f y o ut h po l i c y i n, 2 01 9 wa s a c r uc i a l y e a r f o r a l l y o ung pe o pl e i n T i r a na . I t wa s i n No v e mbe r 2 01 8 t ha t a g r o up o f e x pe r t s f r o m y o ut h CS O- s c a me t o g e t he r wi t h t he Muni c i pa l i t y o f T i r a na a nd de c i de d t o a ppl y f o r t he t i t l e Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l 2 02 2 , a wa r de d e a c h y e a r f r o m Eur o pe a n Y o ut h F o r um. Unde r t he l e a d o f Na t i o na l Y o ut h Co ng r e s s , a ne t wo r k o f y o ut h o r g a ni z a t i o ns a l l o v e r Al ba ni a but r e pr e s e nt i ng t he y o ut h o r g a ni z a t i o ns o f T i r a na i n t hi s a ppl i c a t i o n a nd wi t h t he c l o s e s uppo r t o f Muni c i pa l i t y o f T i r a na , we s t a r t e d t he a ppl i c a t i o n pr o c e s s . Ha v i ng wo r k e d f o r 1 5 y e a r s i n i nt e r na t i o na l y o ut h wo r k a nd ha v i ng a l a r g e ne t wo r k a l l o v e r Ba l k a ns a nd Eur o pe , BBA pl a y e d a c r uc i a l r o l e i n t hi s pr o c e s s by o f f e r i ng e x pe r t i s e f o r t he who l e a ppl i c a t i o n pr e pa r a t i o n pr o c e s s . T hr o ug ho ut 2 01 9 , t he e x pe r t i s e gr o up c o mpo s e d by s e v e r a l o r g a ni z a t i o n i n T i r a na , l e d by NY C a nd Muni c i pa l i t y , me t t wi c e a mo nt h ( s o me t i me s e v e n mo r e ) , t o wo r k o n pr e pa r i ng a l l t he a ppl i c a t i o n pa c k a g e . Wha t c ha r a c t e r i z e d t he wo r k a nd g a v e s pi r i t t o t he who l e i de a wa s t he di v e r s i t y a nd e x pe r t i s e o f t he t e a m, t he c r e a t i v e pr o c e s s t hr o ug ho ut , l o ng pr o duc t i v e di s c us s i o ns , l o t s o f de di c a t i o n a nd c o mmi t me nt a nd a s t r o ng wi l l t o br i ng t he de s e r v e d a t t e nt i o n t o y o ung pe o pl e o f T i r a na . By Ma r c h 2 01 9 , EY F a nno unc e d t ha t a mo ng 1 2 a ppl i c a nt c i t i e s T i r a na wa s s ho r t l i s t e d a mo ng t he f i v e c a ndi da t e c i t i e s , a nd wo ul d be c o mpe t i ng wi t h Ba i a Ma r e ( Ro ma ni a ) ;

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Ka z a n ( Rus s i a ) ; Po z na ń ( Po l a nd) a nd Va r a ž di n ( Cr o a t i a ) . T he e x c i t e me nt t o t hi s ne ws br o ug ht a bo ut mo r e c o mmi t me nt a nd ha r d wo r k f o r t he ne x t a ppl i c a t i o n pha s e whe r e t he t e a m c o nt i nue d t o wo r k o n t he a ppl i c a t i o n a nd t he pr o g r a m f o r 2 02 2 a l s o f o l l o wi ng t he c o mme nt s g i v e n by EY F . As a f i na l s t e p T i r a na ’ s pr o j e c t “ ACT I V8 ” wa s s ubmi t t e d a s a f i na l v e r s i o n, t o g e t he r wi t h a s ho r t v i de o f o r t he o f f i c i a l c e r e mo ny . F ur t he r t he Ma y o r o f T i r a na Mr . Er j o n Ve l i a j t o g e t he r wi t h Di r e c t o r o f NY C Ms . Da f i na Pe c i a t t e nde d t he f a c e t o f a c e i nt e r v i e w wi t h t he I nde pe nde nt J ur y , c o mpo s e d o f 1 4 di f f e r e nt Eur o pe a n i ns t i t ut i o ns .

THE YOUTH SECTOR AND TIRANA MUNICIPALITY BRING HOME THE TITLE "EUROPEAN YOUTH CAPITAL 2022" 20

LOCAL/NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Tirana European Youth Capital 2022 IMPORTANT STRATEGIC LOCAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

On 2 1 No v e mbe r 2 01 9 , t he ACT I V8 t e a m c o mpo s e d o f 9 r e pr e s e nt a t i v e s pa r t i c i pa t e d i n t he Awa r d Ce r e mo ny he l d i n Ami e ns o f F r a nc e , whe r e T i r a na wa s a wa r de d t he t i t l e Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l 2 02 2 . T he Awa r d Ce r e mo ny i n Ami e ns wa s a t t e nde d by F r e nc h Pr e s i de nt , Emma nue l Ma c r o n, who e nc o ur a g e d a l l y o ung pe o pl e i n Eur o pe t o t a k e a c t i o n t o s ha pe t he f ut ur e a nd pr o t e c t t he v a l ue s o f f r e e do m a nd de mo c r a c y . He a l s o e x pr e s s e d pr i de a t hi s ho me t o wn, t he c i t y o f Ami e ns , t ha t wi l l t a k e t he t i t l e o f Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l ne x t y e a r i n 2 02 0. S pe c i a l g ue s t s i n a t t e nda nc e a l s o i nc l ude d F r é dé r i que Vi da l , Mi ni s t e r o f Hi g he r Educ a t i o n, Re s e a r c h a nd I nno v a t i o n, Ga br i e l At t a l , t he S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r Y o ut h, L a ur e nt S o mo n, t he Pr e s i de nt o f Dé pa r t e me nt de l a S o mme a nd t he Ma y o r o f Ami e ns , Br i g i t t e F o ur é . As EY C 2 02 2 , T i r a na wi l l ha v e a n a mbi t i o us pr o g r a m t ha t wi l l a i m t o a ddr e s s t he ne e ds o f a l l i t s y o ung pe o pl e , c ha mpi o ni ng no n- f o r ma l e duc a t i o n a nd s t r i v i ng t o c o nne c t t he c i t y a nd i t s y o ut h wi t h Eur o pe a n v a l ue s .

Ha v i ng wo r k e d a y e a r o n t he pr o c e s s t ha t s e e me d unbe l i e v a bl e a t f i r s t , we a r e v e r y pr o ud t ha t we we r e c o nt r i but o r s t o br i ng t hi s t i t l e t o a l l t he y o ung pe o pl e a nd t o put y o ut h i n t he f o c us o f t he l o c a l po l i c y de v e l o pme nt s . A g r e a t i mpe t us o f t hi s t i t l e i s t he g r e a t c o mmi t me nt s s ho wn by t he Muni c i pa l i t y o f T i r a na t o no t o nl y s uppo r t t he pr o c e s s but t o c o mmi t i n de di c a t i ng a v e r y c o ns i de r a bl e a mo unt o f r e s o ur c e s a nd f undi ng t o a l l t he a c t i v i t i e s pa c k a g e t o ha ppe n i n 2 02 2 . As s uc h t he pr o g r a m o f ACT I V8 i s c o mpo s e d o f 8 pr o g r a ms : Y o ut h Ma k e Cr e a t i v e Ec o no my a nd I nno v a t i o n; Y o ut h Cr e a t e s Cul t ur e ; Y o ut h De v e l o ps Ca pa c i t y ; Y o ut h Pa r t i c i pa t e s ; Y o ut h Embr a c e s Di v e r s i t y ; Y o ut h a r e Eur o pe a ns ; Y o ut h Ec o - He a l t h; Y o ut h S pa c e s . We a r e v e r y muc h l o o k i ng f o r wa r d t ha t t hi s t i t l e bo o s t t he y o ut h pa r t i c i pa t i o n, a c t i v a t e s i de a s a nd pe o pl e a nd br i ng a bo ut t he de s i r e d c ha ng e i n t he y o ut h po l i c y de v e l o pme nt no t o nl y i n T i r a na but a l l o v e r Al ba ni a .

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

LOCAL/NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Supporting 61 Municipalities in Albania IMPORTANT STRATEGIC LOCAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

To provide our expertise and support not only Integration preparation process at the same time, as well as it increases the chances of to the CSO sector, BBA has engaged during each municipality to be more exposed to the year in a local partnership with Euro and able to absorb EU funding in different Partners for Development who is implementing a large-scale project in support levels. of all 61 Municipalities of Albania.

Be s i de s s pe c i f i c t r a i ni ng , BBA e x pe r t s a l s o e ng a g e d di r e c t l y wi t h t he I nt e g r a t i o n Uni t s The project Municipalities for Europe is an initiative of the European Union which aims to by o r g a ni z i ng i nf o da y s o n v o l unt e e r i ng v a l ue s a nd be ne f i t s , pr o mo t i ng a c t i v e increase the capacities of the Local Government Units in Albania in the framework e ng a g e me nt o f y o ut h a nd pr o mo t i ng t he o ppo r t uni t i e s o f f e r e d by t he EU pr o g r a ms of the European integration process of the by i nt r o duc i ng a l l o f t hi s i n c o nc r e t e country by setting up an EU office in each a c t i v i t i e s i n di f f e r e nt muni c i pa l i t i e s o f municipality that will be the point of reference in each respective municipality, not Al ba ni a . only for local administrative employees but also for all citizens and groups of interest at local level. Further these units were established as European Integration Units in each municipality and continue working to serve the local communities while also receiving continuous training and support to increase the staff capacities. Â I n t he s e r e g a r ds BBA ha s be e n pr o v i di ng e x pe r t i s e t o t he Eur o pe a n I nt e g r a t i o n Uni t s s t a f f by pr o v i di ng t r a i ni ng , i nf o r ma t i o n a nd s uppo r t o n c a pa c i t y bui l di ng a nd a ppl i c a t i o n pr o c e dur e s a bo ut Er a s mus + , Eur o pe a n S o l i da r i t y Co r ps pr o g r a mme s . T he e x pe r t t r a i ne r s o f BBA o f f e r e d a s e t o r s pe c i f i c a nd t a i l o r - ma de t r a i ni ng s a nd i nf o s e s s i o n f o r t he L o c a l Co o r di na t o r s o f t he I nt e g r a t i o n Uni t s o f t he Muni c i pa l i t i e s , i n o r de r t o i mpr o v e t he i r s k i l l s a nd c a pa c i t i e s i n pr o j e c t wr i t i ng a nd EU f undi ng po s s i bi l i t i e s , wi t h t he a i m t o a l s o i nc r e a s e pr o j e c t qua l i t y a nd numbe r o f a ppl i c a t i o ns f r o m Al ba ni a . Eng a g i ng Muni c i pa l i t i e s t o a c qui r e EU f undi ng whe r e t he y c a n e ng a g e l o c a l y o ut h c o mmuni t i e s i s a n i mpo r t a nt f a c t o r t ha t i nf l ue nc e s t he EU

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

LOCAL/NATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Advocating for youth with NYC IMPORTANT STRATEGIC LOCAL AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Under the main pillar of Youth, BBA and National Youth Congress signed a Strategic Partnership in 2019, to commonly work and collaborate to advocate and lobby for youth policy, reach youth in the country, provide them with opportunities to engage and develop their skills. NYC is a youth umbrella organization of about 120 youth organizations, informal groups, and youth forums of political parties in Albania. As the biggest youth structure in the country NYC was also the lead applicant for Tirana European Youth Capital 2022 title where BBA took a strategic part as the main expertise in providing the working team with support during the application process. Through this partnership with EYC the main collaboration in this year was through the following initiatives: In October 12, in partnership with NYC, ESN and WBAA, BBA hosted the event “Human Library Tirana: Promoting EU Values” on the occasion of Erasmus Days where focus was put on the promotion of Erasmus and all its opportunities for youth in Albania.

On 15 July NYC held the 7nth Annual General Assembly where BBA staff was also engaged in facilitation one of the working groups on the NYC Youth Strategy 2020-2023 on Employability and Youth Mobilisation. B B A t r a i n e r s we r e e n g a g e d i n d e l i v e r i n g a s e s s i o n o n y o u t h e n g a g e me n t d u r i n g 2 t r a i n i n g s h e l d i n Du r r e s a n d S h k o d r a , a s p a r t o f o n t h e p r o j e c t “ Ma n u a l o n A c t i v e C i t i z e n s h i p strengthening the role of youth in Albania’s a p p r o x i ma t i o n p r o c e s s i n t h e E U” , l e d b y NY C .

On Ma y 1 3 , Muni c i pa l i t y o f T i r a na wi t h t he c o l l a bo r a t i o n o f NY C ho s t e d t he f i r s t c o ns ul t a t i o n me e t i ng f o r t he L o c a l Y o ut h S t r a t e g y . BBA t o o k pa r t i n t hi s c o ns ul t a t i o n no t o nl y pa r t i c i pa t i ng but a l s o by f a c i l i t a t i o n t he wo r k i ng g r o up o n Bo o s t i ng Empl o y a bi l i t y o f Y o ung Pe o pl e .

During the first six months of 2019, BBA and NYC have been commonly engaged in advocating for the betterment of the Draft Youth Law, a process led by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. BBA planned a six months campaign where NYC was chosen as the messenger, in regards to being the biggest youth structure in the country. As part of proposing to the government specific measures how to better compile the Law, BBA and NYC led 2 meetings of consultation with youth organizations, sent a Declaration reaction to 4 Parliamentary Commissions in charge to give an opinion on the Draft law, Participated in a Parliamentary hearing session; issued a public statement to stop the Draft Law from passing without the considerations of the youth sector, and as a result managed to change e few issues within the law, which was stopped in July 2019, and further approved in silence by the parliament in November 2019.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

INT.COLLAB

International collaborations INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS WE PARTNERED WITH DURING 2019 BBA is very active in the youth work field in international level, where during the year we have partnered with 13 international projects. These projects are financed by Erasmus+ Youth in Action, Europe for Citizens and Visegrad Funds. As a partner of these projects BBA has given a chance to 289 youngsters aged 18-35 years old, from Albania, to participate in trainings, seminars, youth exchanges and local events held in EU and WB. Providing youth with a chance to grow and improve their soft skills, travel ad meet their peers, learn more about intercultural dialogue, diversity, cultures etc., is and will be one of the main focuses of our work, as we believe that these program equip youth with a set of life skills that cannot be gained otherwise. Below you can see the 13 collaborations that will be finalised in 2020.

289 YOUNGSTERS AGED 18-35 YEARS OLD FROM ALBANIA HAVE TRAVELED ABROAD THROUGH 13 INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

Eu r ope4All

The project aim is to give European citizens the opportunity to be protagonist in the creation of a more committed Europe, through the mutual work of people from different cultures and social contexts, on themes of great interest for civil society, EU and institutions. Main applicant : Association for Sustainable Development - Sfera Macedonia, Participants from BBA : 11 participants, 2 participants on Kick of meeting, 4 participants on

Study Visit, 3 participants on Panel Discussion with Decision Makers and 2 participants on Evaluation Meeting and 223 participants in local activities that were held in Albania. Duration : 1.10.2018- 01.03.2020 F indÂ out more on: http://sferainternational.org/europe-4-all/

Transformers: Age of Youth Worker

The aim of the project is to raise quality and enhance youth work engagement in peace and reconciliation processes through digital tools and online media. Main applican t: Lens, Kosovo Participants from BBA: 10 participants, 1 participants on Kick of Meeting, 2 participants

for Training on Digital Tools, 2 participants for training on Storytelling, 2 participants for training on Hate Speech and 2 participants for Hackathon, 1 mentor Duration : December 2019- September 2021

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

INT.COLLAB

International collaborations INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS WE PARTNERED WITH DURING 2019 Volunteering Connecting Communities

The project aims to increasing youth potential in civic education and especially volunteerism topic through capacity building actions targeting youth workers who work with young people with fewer opportunities in local and European level. It as well seeks to increase the quality of youth work through exchanging of experiences and building up sustainable partnership among partners of the consortium and other NGO-s and institutions in respective countries. Main Applicant : Udruzenje Mladi Volonteri, Bosnia and Herzegovina Participants from BBA : 17 participants, 5 participants on Seminar, 7 participants on Training and 5 participants for Evaluation meeting Duration : October 2019- December 2020

Edugaming for Diversity

Main aim of the project "EduGaming for Diversity" is to build capacities of youth organization to contribute to a cohesive and active society, through developing specific competencies in designing educational tabletop games addressing social and global issues. Several board games were created, translated in different languages and produced. Main applicant : BalkanIDEA Novi Sad Participants from BBA : 6 participants, 3 on first training and 3 on second training Duration : December 2018-Agust 2019

Realize with your eyes

The aim of the project is to improve and increase entrepreneurship of deaf youth using non-formal learning methods regarding commercial stock photography. A website for hearing impaired people where they can learn about stock photography, has been set up as a support for employability and entrepreneurship of youth with hearing impairment. Main applicant: Art Mreza – Serbia Participants from BBA : 10 participants, 5 on Training Course and 5 on Evaluation Meeting Duration : 01.12.2018-01.02.2020

Yolo- Youth Online Learning Opportunities

Main aim of this project is to build capacity of partner organization for using online tools in non-formal education, enhancing the quality of non-formal education and youth work. Project activities will step-by-step build capacity of youth workers, trainers, youth leaders from partner countries. Main Applicant: NGO Iuventa Participants from BBA: 123 participants participate direct and indirect in this project Duration: 15.12.2018-15.09.2020

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

INT.COLLAB

International collaborations ERASMUS +PROJECTS WE PARTNERED WITH DURING 2019 Entrepreneurial mindset through social innovation in youth

The project aims to increase capacity building of consortium in entrepreneurship and innovation topic, transfer know-how and address key issues of interest for young people nowadays. To boost inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities through providing them skills and competencies in social innovation & entrepreneurship education, is the main goal the project seeks to achieve. Main Applicant: THY NGO/Kosovo Participants from BBA: 90 participant in training, seminars, evaluation meeting and

workshops in local level Duration: December 2018- May 2020

DIY-CAN

The project aims to equip those in contact with young public with the necessary skills firstly to help young people build up their resistance and critical thinking skills, so as not to become attracted by extremist and populist ideas, oppressive and hate-driven narratives and secondly to become the advocate and campaigner for human rights using CANs. Participants from BBA: 3 participants Main applicant: CAAT Projects Duration: 23.11.2019-1.04.2020 Youth are not alone Aim of the training course is to train youth workers, youth leaders being able to set up youth social enterprises based on The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its 4 principles such as survival, protection, development and participation in order to support the cooperation among young people with refugees/migrants background and local young people. To strengthen and support coherent approaches to unaccompanied migrant children and young people in the frame of youth work and European cooperation. Participants from BBA: 2 participants Main Applicant: Studio Progetto Soc. Cop. Duration : 25.08.2019-01.09.2019

Advanced training for youth workers in using Marshal Rosenberg method of nonviolent communication and Forum Theatre for preventing radicalization leading to violence among youth.

Aim: The main goal of the project is to prevent extremism and radicalization among youth and empower them to prevent that behavior and its negative effects on young people. This project is designed to meet the needs of its target audience – youth workers and leaders, in EU programme countries. Main Applicant: „Organizacija kreativnog okupljanja“- OKO-SERBIA Participants from BBA: 2 (Two) Duration: 30.10.2019-08.11.2019

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

INT.COLLAB

International collaborations ERASMUS +PROJECTS WE PARTNERED WITH DURING 2019 Towards Social Economy: Young Social Innovators as Forerunners of Positive Change in V4 and WB6

The project supported by the Visegrad Fund aims to a) advocate for improved policy measures and action plans in V4 and WB6, creating an enabling environment for sustainable development and promoting V4 accomplishments in the social economy; b) promote the accomplishment of young social entrepreneurs and empower their peers to become socially responsible and aware developing innovative solutions to the persisting issues in their communities; c) enhance the Visegrad Fund visibility and raising awareness about the EU enlargement importance, as well as the core values of EU; d) explore the current developments of social economy in the two regions, in the light of EU enlargement, of the WB potential for economic and social development, as well as of the youth human capital development in the two regions. Main applicant: Mladi Info, North Macedonia Duration: Oct 2019-Dec 2020

YOUTH WORK IN PROGRESS This project aims to raise quality and sustainability of youth programs, through competence development of youth workers and leaders to provide innovative, modern and quality youth work service which effectively respond on current socio-economic needs of young people in EU and Western Balkan. The project also seeks to contribute to creation of establishment of the knowledge foundation on topics of mentorship in youth work, online learning, digital tools to support youth work delivering, providing training, of working methods, tools and materials. Participants from BBA: 9 participants

Main applicant: SEEYN – Bosnia and Herzegovina Duration: 01/11/2017 - 01/08/2019.

Better Together 2.0

“Better Together 2.0” is IJGD project which is running for the second time, since 2016, when it was implemented for the first time. It is designed as an educational programme for teenagers age 16-18 from Germany, Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia. The Youth Exchange took place in Kastellaun, in western part of Germany. Participants will have their days di Participants from BBA: 10 participants Main applicant: IJGD-Germany Duration: May 21 – June 05, 2019

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

volunteers sent abroad EUROPEAN SOLIDARITY CORPS During 2019 BBA has supported 7 youngsters from Albania to start their European Solidarity Corps projects in Italy, Romania, Lithuania, Luxembourg. Â In partnership with the receiving organisations the 7 volunteers are continuing their volunteering projects that will end in 2020. Sar a Leska Ti t l e of t he pr oj ect : Her es : s ol i dar i t y exchanges Dur at i on : 01 . 1 0. 201 9- 30. 06. 2020 Ci t y : Agr i gent o, Si ci l y ( I t al y) Host : Mondoal t r o Foundat i on Act i vi t i es : Sar a i s wor ki ng wi t h chi l dr en aged 7-

1 2 year s ol d, whi ch come at t he i nt er cul t ur al Cent r e UBUNTU ever y day f r om 3 t o 6 pm. She s uppor t s i n t he mul t i et hni c pl ay r oom. Suppor t s t hem wi t h homewor k and ar t i s t i c wor ks hops , wor ks hops on i nt er cul t ur al pr oces s es , phot ogr aphy, mus i c and s por t f or youngs t er s .

Xhaf er Shi r r a and Er i sel a Roko Ti t l e of t he pr oj ect : Act t oget her Dur at i on : 08. 04. 201 9- 01 . 1 0. 201 9 Ci t y : Cr ai ova, Romani a Host : As oci at a Comuni t at i Pent r u Ti ner et Act i vi t i es : Xhaf er and Er i s el a wor k t oget her i n

or gani zi ng hi gh s chool pr es ent at i ons about Eur opean Sol i dar i t y Cor ps , cr eat i on of a dat abas e wi t h pot ent i al vol unt eer s , or gani zi ng vol unt eer f es t i val , hos t i ng t r ai ni ngs wi t h pot ent i al vol unt eer s . At t he s ame t i me, t hey al s o engage i n envi r onment al i s s ues by pl anni ng f l ower s and s mal l t r ee i n 3 s chool s . The r es t of t he week t hey wor k i n t he of f i ce wi t h var i ous t as ks whi l e t hey al s o t ake Romani an l anguage cl as s t o l ear n t he l ocal l anguage.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Fl or ent i na Qor r i Ti t l e of t he pr oj ect : Vol unt eer i ng i n Li t huani an l i br ar i es Dur at i on: 1 2. 05. 201 9- 07. 02. 2020 Host : Cent er of yout h vol unt ar y act i vi t i es Dei net a Ci t y : Kaunas , Li t huani a Act i vi t i es : Fl or ent i na i s wor ki ng i n a l i br ar y s i t uat ed i n a

hi s t or i cal pl ace of Kaunas wher e s he get s t o meet and communi cat e wi t h t he t our i s t s . Bes i des gi vi ng i nf or mat i on t o t our i s t s t hat vi s i t t he l i br ar y, s he al s o engages i n envi r onment al i s s ues , s i nce t he l i br ar y f unct i ons i n concor dance wi t h i t s nat ur al envi r onment . Thes e i ncl ude act i vi t i es s uch as pl ant i ng her bs as par t of t he bui l di ng of t he l i br ar y was or i gi nal l y us ed as f l ower or anger y. Fl or ent i na t oget her wi t h t he l i br ar i ans or gani ze and at t end di f f er ent envi r onment al event s f or chi l dr en and yout h. Senada Ll ukaj Ti t l e of t he pr oj ect : Vol ont ar i at dans un l ycée

pr of es s i onnel ambas s adeur aupr ès du par l ement Dur at i on : 1 5. 09. 201 9- 1 5. 07. 2020 Host : Lycée Paul Langevi n, Ci t y : Beaucai r e, Fr ance Act i vi t i es : Senada i s engaged i n managi ng t he

hous e of t he hi gh s chool s t udent s , whi ch i ncl udes a caf et er i a and i s a pr i vi l eged pl ace t o meet hi gh s chool s t udent s . I n col l abor at i on wi t h t he educat i onal as s i s t ant s and t he cul t ur al adv i s er , Senada or gani zes ext r acur r i cul ar act i vi t i es , whi ch ar e cl ubs ( r eadi ng, s por t s , et c. ) or out i ngs . Senada i s al s o i nvol ved i n hel pi ng t o pr epar e t he mobi l i t y of s t udent s . Mi r el Sal aj Ti t l e of t he pr oj ect : ROW “ Ri ght s of Whom? ” Dur at i on : 1 0. 1 0. 201 9- 29. 09. 2020 Host : Mar gher i t a Cooper at i ve Soci al e ONLUS, I t al y Ci t y : Vi cenza Act i vi t i es : Mi r el engages i n hel pi ng i n t he cent er f or di s adv ant ages

young peopl e and mi nor s who ar e s uf f er i ng mai nl y: educat i onal di f f i cul t i es , economi c and s oci al obs t acl es , cul t ur al di f f er ences ( s econd/ t hi r d gener at i on mi gr ant s ) . He or gani zes di f f er ent act i v i t i es f or t hes e t ar get gr oups whi l e he i s al s o i n cont act and wor ks wi t h di s abl ed peopl e, di s advant aged yout hs , el der l y and ot her ci t i zens . Hi s wor k i s f ocus ed i n pr omot i ng s ol i dar i t y and s oci al i ncl us i on, es peci al l y f or di s advant aged yout hs and peopl e wi t h di s abi l i t y.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Ledina Mahmutaj Title of the project : A new impetus to European volunteering

activities in Luxembourg Duration : 01. 08. 2019-31. 12. 2020 Host : Center of Ecological Learning (CELL), Luxembourg City : Beckerich Activities : Considering Ledinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s background, interest and strong

motivation, especially in ecological construction she is more involved with everything that has to do with planning/architectural/ construction work in the office. Ledina is in charge of organizing monthly meetings and writing their reports as well as she is helping the organization with projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s visual identity on many levels.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

REPRESENTATION OF BBA

Representation in strategic events and platforms

Ano t he r c r uc i a l c o mpo ne nt o f o ur wo r k i s a l s o t he a dv o c a c y a nd r e pr e s e n t a t i o n i n s e v e r a l Eur o pe a n a nd r e gi o na l pr o j e c t s . F o r t hi s pur po s e , o ur s t a f f ha s c o nt i nuo us l y be e n e n g a g e d i n a t t e ndi ng i mpo r t a nt e v e nt s , a dv o c a t i ng o ur po l i c y me s s a ge s a nd r e pr e s e n t i n g t he v o i c e o f y o ut h. Amo ng t he mo s t i mpo r t a nt e v e nt s o f t he y e a r we pa r t i c i pa t e d i n t he f o l l o wi n g :

BBA Di r e c t o r , Mr s . Mul l a nj i t o o k pa r t i n t he Po z na n S ummi t 2 01 9 , he l d i n Po l a nd f r o m 3 - 5 J ul y , a nd s he wa s a t t e ndi ng t he Ci v i l S o c i e t y F o r um, a s pa r t o f t he Al ba ni a n de l e g a t i o n t o t he e v e nt . T hi s t hr e e - da y S ummi t t ha t c o ns i s t e d o f T hi nk T a nk F o r um, Ci v i l S o c i e t y F o r um, Bus i ne s s F o r um, Mi ni s t e r i a l me e t i ng s a nd L e a de r s ’ S ummi t , br o ug ht t he We s t e r n Ba l k a ns i n f o c us a t a t i me whe n t he EU l e a de r s s t r ug g l e t o c ho o s e c a ndi da t e s f o r t o p j o bs . S o ut h Ea s t Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ne t wo r k - S EEY N whe r e BBA i s a me mbe r t o g e t he r wi t h 1 8 o t he r r e g i o na l o r g a ni s a t i o n, c e l e br a t e d t he 2 0t h a nni v e r s a r y o f i t s wo r k a nd e x i s t e nc e i n t he We s t e r n Ba l k a ns r e g i o n. BBA a t t e nde d t he f i na l S t r a t e g i c Pl a nni ng me e t i ng o f t he me mbe r s a nd t he a nni v e r s a r y c e l e br a t i o n t ha t t o o k pl a c e i n No v i S a d o f S e r bi a dur i ng t he OPENS c e r e mo ny i n De c e mbe r . BBAs s t a f f a l s o he l d t he S t e e r i ng Bo a r d me mbe r r o l e f o r t wo c o ns e c ut i v e ma nda t e s o f 4 y e a r s whi c h, y e a r s i n whi c h Ms . T o pa l l i wa s a l s o i n t he po s i t i o n o f Pr e s i de nt o f t he S B. S EEY N Our s t a f f a t t e nde d t he o pe ni ng c e r e mo ny o f Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l No v i S a d 2 01 9 he l d i n J a nua r y i n No v i s a d whe r e t he c i t y t o o k t he l e a d f o r t he who l e y e a r i n o r g a ni s i ng s e v e r a l y o ut h e v e nt s f o r t he t i t t l e . By t he e nd o f t he y e a r we a r e a l s o a t t e ndi ng t he “ Ce r e mo ny f o r ha ndi ng o v e r t he t i t l e t o Ami e ns - F r a nc e ” ho s t e d by No v i S a d Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l 2 01 9 - OPENS , he l d i n No v i S a d, S e r bi a o n 1 3 De c e mbe r 2 01 9 . T wo de l e g a t e s f r o m Al ba ni a a s pa r t o f T i r a na Eur o pe a n Y o ut h Ca pi t a l 2 02 2 t i t l e we r e pr e s e nt i n t hi s e v e nt , whe r e BBA ha s ha d i t s c o nt r i but i o n a nd t he r e f o r e r e pr e s e nt e d t he de l e g a t i o n f r o m T i r a na

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

REPRESENTATION OF BBA

Di r e c t o r o f BBA wa s s e l e c t e d a s a me mbe r o f Y o ut h@Wo r k pa r t ne r s hi p Po o l o f T r a i ne r s , a t r a ns na t i o na l i ns t i t ut i o na l a l l i a nc e a i mi ng t o f o s t e r y o ut h e mpl o y a bi l i t y a nd e nt r e pr e ne ur s hi p t hr o ugh t he Er a s mus + a nd Eur o pe a n S o l i da r i t y Co r ps EU Pr o g r a mme s , f i na nc i a l l y s uppo r t e d by a l l me mbe r s t a t e s na t i o na l Ag e nc i e s a nd t he Eur o pe a n Co mmi s s i o n. Amo ng o t he r e v e nt s BBA s t a f f wa s a l s o pr e s e nt i n: Eur o pe We e k 2 01 9 ho s t e d by Eur o pe a n De l e ga t i o n t o Al ba ni a he l d f r o m 6 - 1 1 Ma y . 7 t hWe s t e r n Ba l k a ns Ci v i l S o c i e t y F o r um i n T i r a na by Eur o pe a n Ec o no mi c a nd S o c i a l Co mmi t t e e he l d i n T i r a na f r o m 1 6 - 1 7 Apr i l . S o c i a l Ent e r pr i s e s - T o wa r ds a n I nc l us i v e Po l i c y a nd Pr a c t i c e ho s t e d i n T i r a na by Pa r t ne r s Al ba ni a . Upbe a t F o r um o f S o c i a l I nno v a t i o ns - v o l . ho s t e d by ADP- ZI D a nd DI ES I S ne t wo r k i n Budv a . Co nne c t i ng Y o ung Pe o pl e f o r L e a r ni ng i n Eur o pe ho s t e d by Go Eur o pe a s s o c i a t i o n i n Ma gde bur g o f Ge r ma ny . Di gi t a l Y o ut h Wo r k a nd I nno v a t i o n a s e mi na r he l d i n Ma y 2 01 9 i n Wa r s a w, Po l a nd a nd ho s t e d by t he Na t i o na l Age nc y o f Er a s mus + . Or ga ni z a t i o na l De v e l o pme nt a nd Pr o j e c t Pr o po s a l De v e l o pme nt a t r a i ni ng ho s t e d by Na t i o na l Y o ut h Co ngr e s s a nd F ES F undr a i s i ng a nd Re v e nue Ge ne r a t i o n, a t r a i ni ng ho s t e d by Pa r t ne r Al ba ni a Na t i o na l Da y o f Ac t i v i s m #NAD2 01 9 , o r ga ni z e d by Co - PL AN, I ns t i t ut e f o r Ha bi t a t De v e l o pme nt a nd U. S Emba s s y i n T i r a na i n Oc t o be r 2 2 . Ne t wo r k Ev e nt - Empo we r i ng Y o ut h i n Al ba ni a , a NGO f a i r a nd di s c us s i o n pl a t f o r m ho s t e d i n Apo l l o ni a F i e r by Pa r t ne r s Al ba ni a . “ Wi de ni ng v s De e pe ni ng ” a Di l e mma f o r t he EU a nd WB- ho s t e d i n T i r a na by F ES a nd EU Po l i c y Hub.

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Ex po Ri n2 01 9 a n y o ut h o r g a ni z a t i o ns f a i r ho s t e d by L i bur ne t i k a nd na t i o na l Y o ut h Co ngr e s s i n T i r a na . VOL ARE – Vo l unt e e r i ng Oppo r t uni t i e s L e a r ni ng Adv e nt ur e : Re a c hi ng Eur o pe a nd be y o nd a s e mi na r unde r Er a s mus + ho s t e d by T DM2 000 i n Ca g l i a r i Italy. No Ha t e S pe e c h Al ba ni a n c o mmi t t e e me e t i ng wi t h Mi ni s t r y o f Educ a t i o n, S po r t s a nd Y o ut h he l d i n J une i n T i r a na a nd ho s t e d by Mi ni s t r y . Na t i o na l Y o ut h da y : y o ut h po l i c i e s i n l o c a l l e v e l , a s e mi na r o n t he pr e s e nt a t i o n o f L o c a l Y o ut h S t r a t e g y f o r T i r a na 2 01 9 - 2 02 3 ho s t e d by NY C a nd Muni c i pa l i t y o f T i r a na .

DONATIONS I n No v e mbe r 2 6 Al ba ni a wa s hi t by a n e a r t hqua k e o f 6 . 4 ma g ni t ude t ha t l e f t ma ny f a mi l i e s wi t ho ut a ho me a nd 5 1 pe r s o ns di e d, whi l e t ho us a nds o t he r s we r e r e l o c a t e d f o r mo nt hs . Be s i de s i mme di a t e l y r e a c t i ng i n s o l i da r i t y a nd e nga gi ng t he s t a f f , a c t i v i s t s a nd l o c a l v o l unt e e r s t o do na t e c l o t he s f o r t he f a mi l i e s i n ne e d, t he Bo a r d o f BBA a l s o de c i de d t o a l s o do na t e a c o nt a i ne r ho us e f o r a f a mi l y o f 4 me mbe r s . T hus , i n De c e mbe r 2 6 , BBA de l i v e r e d a c o nt a i ne r ho us e ( 4 m x 3 m) t o Va t hi f a mi l y i n t he v i l l a g e o f Mur qi nĂŤ . T wo l i t t l e g i r l s , 4 a nd 9 y e a r s o l d a nd t he i r pa r e nt s we r e t hus s he l t e r e d a nd wi l l no t be l i v i ng i n a t e nt a ny mo r e , unt i l t he i r ne w ho me i s r e - bui l d by t he g o v e r nme nt .

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Yearly budget and expenditures

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Publications DURING THE YEAR BBA PUBLISHED 3 DIFFERENT PUBLICATIONS Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship – Key Policy Challenges in the Western Balkans- October 2018

It is a collection of four regional policy briefs covering important aspects of employment and entrepreneurship of young people: youth employability, active labour market measures for youth, enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship and lifelong entrepreneurial learning. The publication comes in Albanian and English language. While a link to all WB 6 languages can be found HERE Volunteer infrastructure in Albania -Status quo and developments- October 2019

This is a brief report that reflects the engagement of volunteers in Albanian civil society organisations and the knowledge that CSOs have on the topic, in relation to infrastructure and legal framework of volunteering and volunteer work. 58 organisations of civil society in Albania have responded to the questionnaire and the data is analysed in the report. Read t h e p u b l i c a t i o n HE R E . Strengthening regional cooperation through youth work – February 2019

This is a project bro chure showcasing the implementation of Swapping Cultures Erasing Borders project that BBA implemented during 2018-2019 with the financial support of RYCO. Read the publication HERE

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

Staff Members THE AWESOME PEOPLE BEHIND BBA

ANA MULLANJI

IRENA TOPALLI

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANA.MULLANJI@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

PROGRAM MANAGER IRENA.TOPALLI@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

ANTONELA TOMCO

VILMA DERVISHI

PROJECT COORDINATOR ANTONELA.TOMCO@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

SILVIA DERVISHI

FINANCIAL ASSISTANT VILMA.DERVISHI@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

PROJECT COORDINATOR SILVI.DERVISHI@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

WWW.BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG

BEYOND BARRIERS ASSOCIATION RRUGA DON BOSKO, EDIL-AL, KULLA 4, KATI 8, AP 52/ POSTAL CODE 1026 PO BOX 87 TIRANA ALBANIA OFFICE@BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG WWW.BEYONDBARRIERS.ORG +35544860136 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2020.