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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!

 

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Promoting and Celebrating European Diversity Month 2024.

In an era marked by constant change, CCIS is adapting swiftly to ensure continuous success.
CCIS and #ANAD -SHKSHNJND in a joint effort, are embracing the future of work through inclusion and diversity with training for career development for sign language interpreters in Albania, supported by UNDP.
Diversity and inclusion are indispensable values for fostering innovation and cultivating a resilient workplace prepared to navigate challenges and overcome pressing contemporary issues.
Join us during European Diversity Month 2024 as we celebrate and promote the power of differences in shaping a modern, forward-thinking workplace where curiosity, fluidity, and acceptance thrive, elevating the sharing of knowledge.
Be part of the future of work—where embracing diversity is not just a choice but a strategic necessity.
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Partnership Continuation in the DIGITCRESHE Project.

The CCIS is pleased to share the news regarding its further partnership and collaboration in the DIGITCRESHE Project, that stands for the Digital Transformation in Education for the Cultural and Creative Industries.

 

The goals of this project are:

– Improvement of the quality of the higher education institutions (HEI) offer in the Balkan countries.

– Making the use of new digitalized methodologies and tools in the field of creative industries possible.

– Increase the percentage of students that express higher satisfaction from the skills gained in the new curricula.

– Developing, adapting and re-defining the curricula, courses and learning materials in HEI.

 

Throughout the project, there will be at least 30 joint activities for cooperation among the partners from the Balkan countries and the HEI from the EU member states. Hence, a broad range of stakeholders will be involved in order to harmonize the competencies and skills of the graduates with the labor market. In order for the project’s goals to be met,  several activities will be held, starting from Creative Labs, Teacher Mobility and Training, Master Classes, Intensive Study Programs as well as Online Learning and Community Platforms.

For further details of the collaboration, please feel free to read the provided leaflets of information, as follows.

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Participation in the U2SID Project Workshop at Salento University.

CCIS team is proud to announce its participation and contribution to the achievement of the U2SID project workshop at Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell’Innovazione – Uni Salento.

 

This workshop was an Erasmus+ CBHE project, funded by EU Commission for the 2023-2025 time period. The hard-work and the presentations of the CCIS team assisted in the aim of the project, to continue harnessing the power of the digital innovation for a brighter future.

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Celebrating European Youth Week 2024!

Organized by the European Commission, the European Youth Week is a very important event that encourages young people to engage in Europe’s activities and decisions. From April 12 to 19, 2024, discover opportunities, share your talents, and connect with leaders and decision-makers.
CCIS is proud to work with youth in Albania, the Balkan Region, and EU countries through projects supported by programs like Erasmus+, CERV, IPA, and RYCO.
Our goals for European Youth Week:
– Encourage young people to be active citizens and vote.
– Showcase positive developments for youth.
– Promote opportunities like Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps.
– Address important topics such as democracy participation, digital access and youth policy.
Learn more about our initiatives and join us in empowering youth!
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Enhancing Digital Skills and Competencies, while defining IT Qualifications and Curricula within Albania’s Higher Education System – U2SID Workshop in Tirana

At CCIS, we are proud to be key partner in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the U2SID Erasmus+ an Erasmus+ Capacity Building Project aimed at promoting comprehensive and inclusive digital transformation in the Western Balkans region.

Our team participated on 27-28 March, 2024.at the workshop organized by the Mediterranean University of Albania in Tirana.  The workshop aims to accelerate the process of digital literacy at partner universities in Albania, leveraging the findings of the U2SID Accelerator Program.
The U2SID project plays a pivotal role in fostering innovation in higher education, aligning it with the needs of the labor market, regional development, and society at large. By facilitating knowledge transfer and generating economic and social value through the dissemination of teaching and research outcomes, U2SID promotes robust collaboration between universities and various stakeholders, including the private sector, policymakers, civil society, and media. The objective is to enhance the digital competence of both students and staff.
The workshop’s primary objective is to integrate digital literacy strategies into the priorities of higher education institutions, enabling the modernization of study programs at all levels and facilitating networking between higher education institutions and various sectors, including the economy, politics, business, and civil society.
The “Enhancing Digital Skills and Competencies, while defining IT Qualifications and Curricula within Albania’s Higher Education System – U2SID Workshop in Tirana” constitutes a crucial component of the education and training process. It engages teaching staff, students, and industry professionals, guided by the U2SID Digital Accelerator Program.
The first day of the workshop focused on the findings of the U2SID Accelerator Program, with guest professors from the University of Salento discussing Exponential Technologies and Digital Transformation Canvas. This collaborative session aims to leverage the expertise of teachers staff from partner universities, students, and industry professionals.
The workshop’s target audience on the first day included the middle generation of teachers and associates, mainly from the Mediterranean University of Albania, aged between 30 to 50 years, known for their adaptability to change. On the second day, the focus shifted to students, addressing their interests in hardware potential, software functionality, networking, and security, based on the U2SID needs assessment at Mediterranean University.