Project Coordinator: Sara Zekaj

In an ever increasingly globalized world and knowledge-based economy, producing competent human resources who are knowledgeable and equipped with technical and human skills is a challenging task for higher learning institutions. Through continuous engagement with young people through my job, I have noticed that many young people do not know how to create a good cv or motivational letter and they lack work-ready skills as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity; the ability to deal with complexity and communication. This problem coming from the lack of career counseling modules in the schools, affects their access to the labor market and reduces the chances for them to experience programs of the European Commission for young people.

Higher education institutions in Albania have been participating in many Erasmus (Mundus/ +) projects, especially for exchanges of students and academics. But the further you go from Tirana, the less information there is available for the Erasmus Plus. In some universities the distribution of scholarships is more nepotistic, and applications go through the dean’s office. To summarize, the project, through its activities, aims to promote ongoing educational and professional opportunities of Erasmus + for young Albanians, to improve their professional skills and career development through training and a mentorship program. The activities of the project are thought to be Hold In-Person, Virtual, & Hybrid, subject of change to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, which we also consider as our main challenge. In order to bring some regional perspective to the project, the idea is to include WBAA members as trainers and mentors. The idea is that the young people get trained and mentored from young leaders and experienced change makers from WBAA which will also share their national experiences. On the other side they get to know Albania which helps reduce prejudice and reconciliation process in the Balkans.

The main objective is raising the level of youth employability by improving their professional skills and career development through training and a mentorship program. From writing a cv and motivational letter, to the first phase of an interview for a job, to the skills needed for most positions: leadership skills, motivation for achievement, inner critic, time management, negotiation, presentation and communication skills. It aims also to promote ongoing educational and professional opportunities of Erasmus + for young Albanians. By wanting to give a regional approach to the project, and contribute also to the reconciliation process in the Western Balkans, the workshops and the mentorship programme will be delivered by WBAA alumni, who will share also their national experiences.