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Workshop 3 of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Youth – Y-O MODEL Project | Campobasso, 26–27 May 2025

“Political Advocacy in Action” – 35 inspiring young leaders from Albania, Italy, North Macedonia, and Kosovo gathered in Campobasso for an intensive two-day workshop under the EU-funded YOM – Youth Observers Model project!
Through practical sessions, participants explored how to advocate for good policies shaped at national and local levels, strengthened their advocacy skills, and learned how to engage and advocate effectively with societal actors. A powerful study visit to the Municipality of Campobasso, including a creative exchange with the Mayor, advisors, and council members, gave youth firsthand experience of local governance in action.
Workshop Highlights:
“The Power of Advocacy: Your Role in a Democratic Society” – Dott. Alessandro Melillo, PRISM
“Building Strategic Alliances for Political Advocacy” – Prof. Dr. Nevila Xhindi
“EU Youth Strategy and Opportunities” – Prof. Valentina Ndou
Hosted by EuRelations GEIE, this workshop brought new energy to cross-border youth collaboration, deepened participants’ understanding of how to drive real change through advocacy, and strengthened youth leadership across Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Italy.
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Our research team at CCIS was proud to take part in the annual meeting of the CoRex COST Action

Our research team at CCIS was proud to take part in the annual meeting of the CoRex COST Action – Comparative Research on the Executive Triangle in Europe, held in Bratislava on 20–21 May 2025.
This unique Action connects researchers across Europe who examine the interplay between executive politicians, top civil servants, and ministerial advisers — a critical yet underexplored field of comparative governance.
Representing Albania, our team — Prof. Dr. Nevila Xhindi, Ph.D. Olta Qejvani, and M.Sc. Enis Sokoli — contributed to the Albania country report, focusing on appointment practices, institutional structures, and the politicization of executive roles. These findings will contribute to a forthcoming edited volume on executive governance across Europe.
A major achievement of the meeting was the development of a coding protocol for mapping executive roles across countries and over time — a foundational tool for future comparative analysis and joint publications.
A special acknowledgment goes to Dr. Olta Qejvani for her outstanding contribution, bringing not only academic insight but also valuable practitioner experience to the table.
We’re proud to be part of this important international collaboration advancing evidence-based governance.
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Happy Europe Day!

On this important day, the Center for Comparative and International Studies (CCIS) proudly celebrates our shared European values and commitment to unity, peace, and cooperation.

We are working diligently to implement EU-funded projects in close partnership with our collaborators in Albania, the Western Balkans, and the European Union—advancing democracy, empowering youth, and promoting sustainable regional development.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the European Commission for its continued support. Together, we believe that through collaboration, we can solve challenges and build a more peaceful, resilient future.

We’re excited to take part in today’s Europe Day activities—celebrating connection, purpose, and partnership!

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Day 2 of the EDUFAIR Workshop at the University of Salento, Italy!

CCIS is proud to be a key partner in the EDUFAIR Erasmus+ Project, funded by the EU and coordinated by Kolegji Profesional i Tiranës, in collaboration with partners from Italy, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Albania.
Today’s workshop offered a rich agenda with insightful sessions:
Antonella Longo – Shadow AI in Education: Risks & Benefits (University of Salento)
Gianluca Abbruzzese – AI for SMEs (Lasco)
Elisabetta Raguseo & Selena Serena Proietti – AI in Education: The Case of Zenclass (Polytechnic of Torino & Zendata)
✏️ Chiara Marini – AI Tools for Teaching & Literacy (University of Salento)
Kejsi Gaxha & Jesmina Sengla – Digital Rights & AI (SCiDEV – Center Science & Innovation for Development)
An intensive and inspiring day full of learning, sharing, and collaboration with committed partners!
Tomorrow we look forward to visits in AI labs and working spaces to explore the application of AI in education in practice!
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EDUFAIR is heading to Italy!

From May 5–7, 2025, partners of the Erasmus+ project EDUFAIR will gather at the University of Salento for an international study visit on AI in Education: Ethics, Innovation, and Practical Implementation.
This dynamic three-day visit will bring together educators, researchers, policymakers, and EdTech professionals from Italy, Bulgaria, Albania and Kosovo to:
⬩ Explore AI-powered tools for personalized learning and institutional innovation
⬩ Debate the ethical, legal, and pedagogical implications of AI
⬩ Strengthen cross-border collaboration in higher education
Lecce, Italy
May 5–7, 2025
Topics: AI ethics, pedagogy, digital rights, institutional transformation
Stay tuned for updates and insights!
ℹ “Advancing quality higher education in the Western Balkans through facilitating AI integration in Teaching, Learning, and Research” (EDUFAIR) is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education program and is implemented under the leadership of Professional College of Tirana, in partnership with Center for Science and Innovation for Development (SCiDEV), Center for Comparative and International Studies (CCIS), University “Ismail Qemali” Vlorë, University “Fan Noli” Korçë, University “Kadri Zeka” Gjilan, Universum International College, University of Salento, and University of Library Studies and Information Technologies.