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International Youth Day 2024!

On this International Youth Day, CCIS proudly celebrates the vital role that young people play in driving digital innovation and shaping a sustainable future. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” highlights the power of youth in developing technology to address global challenges.
At CCIS, we are committed to empowering youth across Albania, the Western Balkans, and Europe through local and international initiatives.
Currently, we are implementing two Erasmus Youth Capacity Building projects supported by the European Commission EYDR and Youth Observers Model—which focus on promoting digital rights and enhancing youth involvement in policy-making.
By celebrating the digital contributions of young people today, we are inspired to continue fostering innovation and collaboration towards a more sustainable and inclusive world.
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Deadline Extension for Y-O Model Applications.

Deadline extended!!!
We are looking for 15 young people from each country: Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Italy aged 19-30, to join 4 youth observation groups, contribute to 4 national policy papers, and collaborate on 1 regional policy paper.
If you are passionate about youth engagement and policy shaping, apply now: https://bit.ly/3XKthU0
The call marks the launch of our new project “A Cross Regional Predictive Model for Youth Policy Shaping – Youth Observers” (Y-Os). Our goal is to raise the capacities of youth and promote strategic cooperation between youth organizations across these regions. We are happy to join forces with partners in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Italy to to empower young people to shape youth policies in the region.
This project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Youth Capacity Building Programme.
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EYDR Project Research Focus Group in Tirana.

 

One of our national research focus group: Discussing digital rights and how youth in Albania understands and percieves them.

We at CCIS are happy to testify how young people are informed about most of their digital rights. Yet, they are willing to explore and get more engaged. Stay tuned for the full report and in the meantime fill in the survey as well.

Link: https://forms.gle/XXJnqGE6gPPnrqTR7

“Youth Participation in Digital Democracy: From Digital Skills to Digital Rights of Youth with Fewer Opportunities in the Western Balkans” #EYDR will engage, connect and empower young people in the digital world, through developing their digital skills and raising awareness about their digital rights with an approach that balances protection and participation so they can fully participate in the digital democracy.

#EYDR is led by @scidev.center in partnership with:
Beogradski centar za ljudska prava|BCHR
Asociación Youropia
CCIS
ESN Tirana
Agjencia Kombëtare e Rinisë AKR
UZOR
SHARE Foundation

EYDR is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the Europian Union.

 

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CCIS Team’s Expert Representation in a STSM in Portugal.

Our expert, Msc. Enis Sokoli from CCIS, participated in a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) in Porto, Portugal. This mission aimed to foster collaboration between civil society and the industry sector under the COST Action on Intergovernmental Coordination from Local to European Governance CA 20123. Mr. Sokoli and SME Prodigy Proper Consulting representatives visited the municipalities of Vila Nova de Gaia and Santa Maria da Feira, meeting with key officials.

 

The mission’s primary goals included forming specialized collaboration teams, creating a joint task force, engaging contributors like Knowledge Transfer Offices, and facilitating personnel exchanges. These efforts aimed to build trust, enhance governance structures, and promote sustainable partnerships and development.

 

CCIS’s participation in research networks like COST Action is crucial for accessing expertise, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, influencing policy, and enhancing capacity building. This involvement ensures civil society voices are represented in decision-making processes, contributing to societal development and innovation.

 

We at CCIS are proud of our involvement in many COST Actions and our ongoing contributions to these initiatives.

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CCIS Partnership in the DIGITCRESHE Project in the International Workshop in Salento,Italy.

The CCIS project team is highly proactive in promoting and disseminating the impactful work done as a one of the partners in implementing Erasmus+ projects. Recently, thanks to the invitation of prof Valentina D. Ndou the team participated in the International Workshop “Promoting and Facilitating Collaborative Virtual International Learning in the Western Balkans’ Higher Education Institutions,” organized by Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy, from July 3-5, 2025 Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Innovazione – UniSalento.

This workshop, part of the COWEB Erasmus+ CBHE EU-funded project coordinated from EPOKA University, aims to build capacities in Western Balkan Higher Education Institutions by implementing strategies that promote digital transformation in education. Similarly, the Digitcreshe project, another Erasmus+ initiative coordinated from Porto University, Portugal involving CCIS as one of the partner, focuses on improving the quality of Higher Education programs for the Creative and Cultural Industries in the Western Balkan countries through digital transformation.

 

The #digitcreshe project aims to create physical facilities, such as Creative Labs, in Western Balkan HEIs to support various educational activities. CCIS had the opportunity to visit the #unisalento #creativehub as the Università del Salento is one of the leaders in establishing Creative Hubs.

#digitcreshe project will develop a virtual learning and collaborative platform to foster a common educational approach in the Western Balkans, similar to COWEB’s goal of designing course content that enhances 21st-century skills and competencies.

 

Participating in this workshop provided a valuable opportunity for CCIS to share and disseminate the successes and challenges of the DIGITCRESHE project with colleagues from the COWEB – Virtual Collaborative Learning in the WB HEIs

 

This dissemination activity aligns with one of DIGITCRESHE’s objectives to promote a shared online learning platform, serving as a foundation for establishing a network of academic institutions in the creative industries.

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The CCIS team participates in the International Workshop of U2SID Project.

The U2SID Project CCIS project team had the opportunity to participate in the International Workshop “Promoting and Facilitating Collaborative Virtual International Learning in the Western Balkans’ Higher Education Institutions” organized by Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy from July 3-5, 2025.

 

This event was held within the framework of the COWEB Erasmus+ CBHE EU-funded project- coordinated by Epoka University, which aims to build capacities in the Western Balkan Higher Education Institutions by implementing strategies that promote digital transformation in education. The U2SID project- coordinated by University of Shkodra aligns with this goal by fostering inclusive digital transformation through increased collaboration between universities and other stakeholders, including businesses, policymakers, civil society, and the media.

 

The U2SID project supports the development and uptake of digital skills to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive digital transformation. This workshop provided a valuable opportunity for CCIS as U2SID partner to share and disseminate the U2SID project experience with colleagues from the COWEB project-both of which are Erasmus EU-funded initiatives.

 

This dissemination activity aligns with one of U2SID’s objectives: to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive digitalization. Engaging in such international collaborations enhances our collective efforts to make digital advancements accessible to all sectors of society.

 

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Call for Application to be part of the Y-O MODEL.

Become a Youth Observer-Lead the Change in Your Community!

Call for Application for youngsters from Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo and Italy
to be part of the Project No. 101131525 – Y-O MODEL ERASMUS-YOUTH-2023-CB

A cross regional predictive model for youth policy shaping – Youth Observers.

Are you a young individual passionate about making a difference in your community and influencing youth policies?
We invite you to apply to be part of an innovative project aimed at shaping youth engagement in politics and society!

Project Overview:
The project “A Cross Regional Predictive Model for Youth Policy Shaping – Youth Observers” is a 24-month initiative aiming to create a new model for youth engagement in politics and society named “Y-Os” (Youth Observers). This project includes participants from Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Italy, encouraging policy dialogue, cooperation, networking, and the exchange of best practices. It aims to raise the capacities of youth and promote strategic cooperation between youth organizations across these regions.

Project Objectives:
• Introduce “Youth Observers” (Y-Os) as an innovative way for youth policy engagement.
• Encourage stronger regional youth cooperation by identifying and connecting issues based on the EU Youth strategy.
• Promote policy dialogue and cooperation among youth organizations.
• Enhance networking and exchange of best practices.
• Raise the capacities of youth to participate effectively in policy shaping.

Coordinating Organization:
Mesdheu Center (MC-Albania)
Partner Organizations:
Qendra Shkence dhe Inovacion per Zhvillim (SCiDEV), Albania
Center for Change Management (CCM), North Macedonia
Qendra per Studime Krahasuese dhe Nderkombetare (QSKN/CCIS), Albania
Institute for Development Policies (INDEP), Kosovo
EURelations GEIE, Italy

Eligibility:
– Youth aged between 19-30 years from Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Italy.
– Passionate about youth engagement, politics, and societal issues.
– Committed to participating in all project activities, including seminars, study visits, training sessions, and the final conference.

Activities:
• Youth Observer Groups and Participants:
• Establish 4 Youth Observer Groups (Y-Os), one in each partner country.
• Select 15 youth per Y-O, per country, around August 2024.
• Seminars and Study Visits
• Youth two-day seminars (blended format: online and in-person) and study visits with 5 participants from each partner country:
Y-O’s two-day seminar and study visit in Macedonia, around January 2025 (25 participants in-person + online).
Y-O’s two-day seminar in Kosovo around August 2024 (25 participants in-person + online).
• Y-O’s two-day seminar in Italy, around May 2025 (25 participants in-person + online).
• Training and Documentation
• Hold 4 online meetings to discuss policy papers internally, around January 2026.
• Organize 4 policy round tables as policy dialogue, one in each partner country.
• Design 4 policy papers, one per partner country, within September 2024.
• Finalize a regional Policy Paper titled “Mapping youth issues in engagement in policy dialogue,” one for each partner country, around January 2026.

Final Event:
Organize a final project conference in Tirana, around February 2026.

Application Process:
To apply, please submit the Applications to: Email/Link
Deadline for Applications: 1-21 July 2024
For more information, please contact: [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CCIS Joins NECE Prep-Lab in Tirana!

On June 18-19, 2024, CCIS had the privilege of participating in the Networking European Civic Education (NECE) festival prep-lab in Tirana. Together with local stakeholders and partners, we delved into essential topics such as #civiceducation, #youthengagement, #creativeindustries, and the unique challenges faced in the #WesternBalkans.
Here are some key takeaways from our discussions:
1. Civic Education:*We emphasized the importance of cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to enhance civic education and democratic participation.
2. Empowering Youth: We explored the complexities of engaging young people in cultural and innovative projects, highlighting issues like low participation rates, high emigration, and regional mobility challenges. Stronger links between formal and informal education, local belonging, and addressing distrust in institutions were key points.
3. Policy and Reform: New policies and reforms are crucial to support youth programs and artistic endeavors. We called for critical self-reflection, respectful disagreement, and cross-sector collaboration to tackle shared challenges in the creative industries.
4. Environmental Challenges: Significant issues like #wastemanagement, #recycling, and #deforestation require systematic work and collaboration. Creating incentives and readiness to invest in environmental protection are essential steps forward.
5. Digital and Media Literacy: In our post-truth era, #medialiteracy should be integrated into education as a cross-cutting topic. Shared #emotionalintelligence can enhance engagement and interest.
6. Brain Drain: High emigration rates, especially among the educated, highlight the need for initiatives to empower teachers, support the Roma community, integrate inclusiveness in education, and foster return migration.
The exchange of ideas and experiences at the Lab underscored our shared challenges and the pressing need for innovative, collaborative solutions.
The event was a great opportunity for CCIS to share and disseminate the work done with the implementation of our currently EU-funded projects like U2SID Project, #Digitcreshe, #digitcreshe #EYDR and Youth Observer Model- YO- Model #ErasmusPlus
The #NECEFestival, led by the Civic Innovation Hub in partnership with #SCIDEV, provides a platform for visionary thinkers to present bold ideas for the future.
One of NECE’s most exciting formats is its annual #festival, gathering actors from across Europe and beyond. This year, from November 14-17, the festival will focus on the topic of #BORDERS and will take place in the vibrant city of #Tirana, Albania.
Preparations are in full swing!
Stay tuned for more updates and join us in shaping the future!
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CCIS Participance on the Second IGCOORD Conference

The team of CCIS was pleased to participate on the Second IGCOORD Conference on “Vertical and Horizontal Coordination: Tools, Mechanisms, and Barriers to Solving Complex Policy Issues”. The conference was held from 13 to 14 June 2024, at the Darmstadt Castle, also known as Technische Universität of Darmstadt.

In addition to the latter mentioned, CCIS research work dealt also with the COST Association, the European Cooperation in Science and Technology.

Below, you will find a few snapshots of the conference, and for more updates feel free to follow our work and news.

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Midterm Evaluation Report Delivery for U2SID Project.

In late May, CCIS delivered the mid-term evaluation report for the Erasmus + CBHE U2SID Project project. The report was presented during a project steering committee meeting. The findings highlight the project’s significant contributions to improving digital literacy among students and lecturers in Albanian higher education institutions (HEIs), aligning with national priorities and European standards.
Key Highlights:
Relevance: The project addresses critical digital literacy needs in Albanian HEIs, leveraging EU expertise to align with national and European standards. The Needs Assessment Survey underscores the project’s alignment with the target audience.
Effectiveness: Efficient project management and careful planning ensure smooth cooperation and task distribution. Regular monitoring and adjustments promote inclusive participation, with comprehensive research validating outcomes.
Efficiency: Budgeting and financial management are handled with care, supported by effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning mechanisms. Active communication and dissemination enhance knowledge sharing and visibility.
Sustainability: The project adopts a long-term approach to sustain digital literacy skills beyond its lifespan, fostering long-term collaboration through clear roles and responsibilities.
Impact: The project significantly boosts the capacities of Albanian HEIs in digital literacy, with research providing valuable insights for future initiatives. Positive feedback and engagement on social media highlight its tangible impact on target audiences.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance digital literacy and foster innovation in Albania and Europe!