Category: <span>News & Events</span>

In the framework of the Digitcreshe project, CCIS and Universiteti Barleti hosted on November 19-20 an inspiring masterclass focused on innovation and the creative industries. Over two intensive days, participants explored groundbreaking topics, tools, and methodologies shaping the future of this sector.

Highlights of the Masterclass:

• Creative Space in Virtual Reality – with PhD. Joan Ikonomi
• AI and Machine Learning in Creative Industries – with PhD. Gerdi Papa
• Creative Entrepreneurship & Digital Marketing – with PhD. Kejda Nuhu
• Design Thinking for Innovation – with MSc. Kostantinos Katsimentes
• Agile Project Management for Digital Creatives – with Prof. Nevila Xhindi (CCIS expert)
• Intellectual Property and Digital Rights in Creative Industries – with Albana Laknori (CCIS expert)

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers and enthusiastic participants who made these sessions impactful and engaging.

Together, we are paving the way for a digitally transformed and innovative creative sector!
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On November 21-22, the CCIS team participated in the managers’ meeting of the Erasmus+ project DIGITCRESHE, hosted at the University Mediterranean in Podgorica. This important gathering not only focused on the implementation of upcoming activities until the project’s conclusion in 2025 but also on ensuring the sustainability and future collaboration of the consortium in similar projects.
As part of this important initiative led by the Polytechnic University of Porto and funded by the European Commission, DIGITCRESHE addresses the skills gap in the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) across Albania and the Western Balkans by aligning educational programs with market needs. The project aims to empower the CCS through digital transformation, active learning, and innovation, helping bridge the divide between education and industry requirements.
Together, we are building a brighter, more sustainable future for the creative and cultural industries! ✨
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Upcoming Event from the Digitcreshe Project Team at CCIS & Universiteti Barleti!
We’re pleased to announce an exciting Masterclass on “Enhancing Digitalization Techniques in Academia and the Creative Industries.”
Dates: December 19-20
Location: Barleti University
This event will host a lineup of expert guest speakers and external professionals who will lead insightful discussions and practical sessions. Participants will gain valuable knowledge on digital advancements that are reshaping both academia and the creative sector.
The masterclass aims to promote knowledge-sharing and inspire innovation by exploring digital tools and methods that support teaching, research, and creative outputs. Master’s students interested in developing these transformative skills are invited to register.
To register, please send an email [email protected] or [email protected]
Join us as we explore the future of digitalization in education and the creative industries!
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On 24^th October, SCiDEV and UZOR hosted a blended event to disseminate the findings of Mapping of Youth Participation in Digital Democracy in Albania and in Montenegro, with the participation of representatives from public institutions, youth and civil society organizations.

The event was moderated by Ms. Nevila Xhindi (CCIS) and was greeted Ms. Bora Muzhaqi, State Minister for Youth and Children in Albania. In her opening remarks, Miss Muzhaqi thanked SCiDEV, as the lead of the EYDR cohort for including the National Youth Agency in Albania for the first time in an ERASMUS+ Youth Capacity building project. Furthermore, she recognized as an added value of EYDR its innovative interconnection between digital skills and digital democracy, as an emerging yet unexplored field of youth participation.

The event proceeded with two consecutive presentations of the Mapping from Albania and Montenegro, where Lutjona Lula (ESN ALBANIA), Jesmina Sengla (SCiDEV) and Maja Nikolic (UZOR) presented the key findings. Lack of engagement, superficial social media interaction (slacktivism) and a mismatch between youth self-assessment and their actual skills especially those related to cyber security were identified in both countries taken into analyze, suggesting that Albania and Montenegro share similar challenges in meaningful youth engagement onsite and online.

The presentations were followed up by a reflective session led by Orkidea Xhaferaj, Digital and Innovation Policy Expert from SCiDEV, which led a discussion with the participants about their thoughts on the study and the current state of youth awareness, digital rights and legal framework.

Throughout the discussion the participants stressed that while youth is aware about cyber security risks and the importance of digital rights, they lack proper skills to address their concerns, thus resulting to limited meaningful digital participation. Regarding legal framework, the participants believed that in the Albanian Context the most pressing issue is not updated legislation, but improved implementation of the current and investing in building a good general understanding of youth about digital rights, privacy and cyber security principles through current educational programs, thus leaning from a solely technical curriculum to a more holistic and inclusive curriculum on digital skills.

The EYDR cohort expresses its gratitude towards CRCA Albania, National Agency of ICT in Albania, National Cyber Security Authority, all the other CSO representatives and youth participants for their collaboration and valuable inputs.

The findings of the Mapping reports and the feedback provided by stakeholders present in the event will be reflected in the Youth Digital Democracy Accelerator Programme which will be co-designed by the project partners throughout November 2024.