Activity 1: Raise the capacity of the newly-formed Youth Advisory Commission (YAC).
The Youth Advisory Commission participated in 4 trainings that consisted of the structure of electoral campaigns, campaign management and decision making processes. This topic was selected by YAC after conducting a needs assessment which found that this was the most important knowledge gap needed to be fill. 20 youth participated in the training - 15 females and 5 males. A few other members from the Durrës Youth Movement also participated in the training because they were extremely interested in this topic and could be trained to replace any member of YAC if they leave the group. As a self-managed group, the Durrës Youth Movement decided the additional trainings will be held in the second half of the year as the first half of the year was focused on IEC (information, education, communication) campaigns for voting awareness. The second training was on lobbying and advocacy aiming to raise the youth capacity to voice the community’s concerns. The third training was on coalitions and networks, showing how organisations can network successfully. The fourth training was on student governance covering leadership, fundraising, responsibilities, right to representation, and being politically aware.
Activity 2: Continued participation in and monitoring of city council meetings.
From January to December, DYM participated in 7 city council meetings that covered social economic aid, housing, local taxes and the participatory budget. They are invited to monitor the meetings and are a part of the citizens advocacy panel (CAP). DYM is now experienced in monitoring the decision making process. Youth know how the participatory budget works and are officially invited to communicate community priorities and address the municipality while the budget is compiled.
Activity 3: IEC campaigns designed and implemented by Durrës Youth Movement (DYM) on the election process.
The final activity was organised in two parts. Two weeks before the municipal elections DYM organised Votefest, an event to promote voting in a fun environment with speeches, videos, dancing, and music. Next, DYM organised the week before the elections to have tents in key locations in Durrës with informational material and volunteers to engage the community in the importance of voting and to answer any questions they might have about the process. During May all volunteers were trained on the electoral process and what to expect during their shifts in the tents. Through a series of meetings and brainstorming sessions the DYM organised 3 awareness campaigns to reach 3 target audiences around Durrës to reach a greater audience.
The first was to target first time voters by attending 3 high schools in Durrës and the outer suburb of Katund i Ri to provide trainings for students of voting age and on student government. They covered topics such as voting procedures and why the youth vote is important. The group also surveyed the students to determine what designs and expressions would have the best impact in promotional material.
The second activity was to create a promotional video to target the greater Durrës community to show the value of voting for everyone. This was broadcast on social media and the local television station Adria TV.
Activity 4: POP plan of action implemented by Durres Youth Movement (DYM) on the election process.
POP was implemented by the Durrës Youth Movement. The actions were the responsibility of the leaders of the DYM since the beginning of 2015. They accomplished all of the respective actions that were described by the POP plan with the final portion of the electoral promises to be executed after the municipal elections in June 21st. 5 meetings and focus groups were organised with around 70 youth from the community to prioritise youth needs and concerns which were shown to community members and a petition was signed to gain support for the contract. They identified 8 youth needs and concerns that were written into the social contract which the candidates signed in agreement on June 6th. 180 youth attended the signing of the contract after each point of the contract was discussed amongst candidates and attendees. The event was covered by local and national media TV, in print, and in candidates’ social media. The candidates mentioned that meeting the needs of youth in the social contract was an important part of their campaigns.
As a result, more people have been informed about democracy and democratization which will lead to increased participation of civil society and community members in local decision making processes.
The social contract is already signed and its implementation by the municipality is being monitored. It is currently too early to tell if the efforts have been successful but we have scheduled multiple meetings to follow up and efforts are ongoing.
Activity 5: DYM-designed and implemented IEC campaigns on Days of Values.
Because of the good relationship CSDC maintains with partner organizations and institutions (Durrës municipality, State Social Services, World Vision, Community Center Today For The Future, World Hope, Terre des Hommes, Hope Of The Orphans, and other NGO’s) in the Durrës area, DYM decided to participate in additional Days of Values. The partners provided additional resources and funding for these events. During these events DYM members delivered promotional materials and supported organisers. The recognition of Days of Value successfully educates and raises awareness on positive values, especially relating to issues concerning children and women. DYM decided to assist the partner organizations and institutions in the following events:
8th of March - International Women’s Day
3rd of May - Coast Clean Up
15th May - International Family Day
22nd May - Clean Albania In 1 Day
Additionally, CSDC took a greater role in leading local efforts for the following Days of Value:
17-19th April - Global Youth Service Days (During the 17-19th April the DYM organised 3 events per day for the GYSD (Global Youth Service Day). The first activity was held as an activity in the paediatric ward of Durrës Regional Hospital. In the framework of GYSD (Global Youth Service Day), youth created a friendly atmosphere for children hospitalized in the paediatric ward.
Celebrations continued on the second day with orphaned children. Delicious meals, birthday cakes, and a festive atmosphere was provided for 35 children. Often orphaned children are overlooked and something as special as their birthdays are forgotten, it is important to make them feel valued as members of society.
The last activity was a donation of books to the public library in Durrës. Books were collected from around the community to contribute to the collection of materials in the library that are now available to the public.
All participants of the GYSD received certificates from Youth Service America to thank them for being every day heroes for their community.)
20th May - International Orphans Day - DYM collaborated with Hope of Orphans Association to organize a day of events to raise awareness and promote to the community the rights and needs of orphaned children.
1st - 31st October - National Anti-trafficking Month (October National Anti-trafficking Month, organized by KRAT (Regional Committee on Anti-trafficking in Persons). CSDC is part of the technical table on this issue. Durrës Youth Movement was involved to promote actions against trafficking of children in ‘Shkollën e Re Kënetë’, ‘Met Hasa’ school in Porto Romano area, Sukth i Ri" High School in Sukth., Multi – functional center in Nishtulla. Youth served as peer educators in student outreach activities.)
24th November - 10th December - 16 Days Against Domestic Violence. (16 Days Against Domestic Violence (November 25-December 10): The DYM was involved in organizing informational events at high schools to promote anti-violence. The main event took place at Shijak Municipality; the DYM invited members of anti-domestic violence organizations to discuss the situation in Durrës, and to educate the students on their efforts. The DYM put on a reenactment of a domestic violence situation in order to foment further discussion. Informational pamphlets were also distributed. The goal of the event was to discuss ideas for how to take the work against violence further, at a local and national level)
5th -8th December - Volunteer Day / Youth Day (Youth day is considered by DYM as a Day of Values. In 2015, that day was promoted by the voluntarism gallery. It was displayed at the Culture Palace and citizens were invited to view pictures of youth doing volunteer work in the community. During the event donations of gifts were accepted for children in need. The event was quite original and many local NPOs and individuals joined.)
Activity 6: Develop and distribute a quarterly newsletter.
In March 2015 DYM wrote, designed, and edited a newsletter called ‘Rinis’. The format was slightly changed from the 2014 version and was designed as a booklet or zine. Copies were sent to NGOs, state institutions, and youth organizations in the post. Additional copies were distributed to different locations around Durrës to people that would be interested in reading the magazine. A few members of DYM were also interviewed on TVSH, discussing the group, its mission and activities, and presenting the magazine.
YAC met 4 times to discuss the content and structure of the zine. The articles that were included in the magazine were a critique on urban development, the impact of YAC and DYM on the 2015 elections, green spaces in Durrës, the importance of voting in the 2015 elections, and youth exchanges and collaborations in Europe.
Activity 7: Youth exchange with other civil society organizations inside and outside of Albania.
DYM collaborated with NGOs in Kosovo (Ec ma ndryshe, PEN and FIQ - Civic Initiative Forum). Groups shared their experience working on civil society projects and explored the potential for future collaborations. These exchanges not only serve as valuable learning opportunities but they help empower partners to support each other in future efforts.
