World Bank supports youth civic engagement in Albania

TIRANA April 23 – The World Bank on Monday announced the winners of the Small Grants Programme for 2007, its press office reported. Youth civic engagement was the focus of the Small Grants Program for this year. It aims at helping to promote greater youth participation and discussion at the national and local level on issues related to youth policies, education, social accountability, governance, public transparency, etc. It also will give voice to youth groups and help ensure that their needs and concerns are factored into policy and program formulation, and empower marginalized and vulnerable youth to exercise the public rights for access to information. It also aims at encouraging regional cooperation for youth civic engagement and knowledge sharing activities.
An External Advisory Board of the Bank carefully reviewed 43 project proposals and selected eight for funding, a statement said. The total amount of the SmGP for this year was $35.000 and the amount for each project varied from USD 4,000 to USD 6.000. Geographical distribution of the projects covers areas such as: Shkodra, Vau i Dejes, Tirana, Farka, Kucova and Saranda. They were: Promotion of youth entrepreneurship projects and capacity building to face the transition from University to labor market, Students in Free Enterprise in Albania (SIFE Albania), Tirana. Establishing a Youth Forum at Kucova Municipality to increase participation and access in regional decision-making, Shoqata e Bashkive, Kucove. Integrating young disabled persons, Qendra Keshillimore per Njerezit me Aftesi te Kufizuara, Shkoder. Engaging young people in monitoring of social services in Vau Dejes municipality, Shoqata Misionaret e te drejtave sociale, Vau i Dejes. Encouraging greater youth participation and discussions about their daily concerns through a network of radio programs all over the country, Shoqata e Pavarur e Medias Lokale and Shoqata e Gazetareve Profesioniste Joniane, in Saranda. Involvement of the youngsters of Farka commune in the process of preparation, implementation and monitoring of the local government budget, “ARG” Centre, Tirana Youth Civic Engagement through direct, concrete Civic Actions, PASS, all over Albania The Bank in Tirana and the Youth Voice Group will cooperate with the Grant recipients to ensure that the objectives and the goals of the agreed programs are met. Based on the success of the SmGP projects the World Bank looks forward to strengthening its cooperation with NGOs in Albania on social and economic development issues.
The program provides grants to civil society organizations to promote dialogue and disseminate information about development. The Program was created in 1983 and is funded by the Development Grant Facility of the World Bank. The Small Grants program in Albania is managed by the World Bank Country Office.