Publications & Resources
National Guide for Localising the Youth, Peace & Security Agenda in Albania
A practical framework for NGOs, government institutions, youth workers and young people to translate UN Security Council Resolution 2250 into concrete action.
About the Guide
This practical guide was developed by the Youth Voice Network of Organisations (YVNO) within the framework of the United Nations initiative “Youth for Inclusion, Equality and Trust”, supported by the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and implemented in Albania by UNDP and UNFPA.
The guide provides a clear, actionable roadmap for localising the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda — established by UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) and reinforced by Resolutions 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020) — within the specific context of Albania. It is designed for civil society organisations, central and local government institutions, youth workers, activists, peacebuilders and young people themselves.
The guide re-positions the YPS Agenda from a “youth issue” to a “fundamental issue for national prosperity” — requiring support from all levels of governance and all ministries, not only the Ministry of Youth.
The 5 Pillars of the YPS Agenda
The guide analyses Albania’s context through the five pillars of Resolution 2250, adapted to the Albanian reality:
Participation
Meaningful inclusion in decision-making
Protection
Physical and digital security of youth
Prevention
Preventing violence and radicalisation
Partnerships
Multi-level coalitions for implementation
Reintegration
Supporting youth affected by migration
What the Guide Covers
The guide is a comprehensive operational manual — covering theoretical foundations, practical tools, step-by-step instructions and concrete examples from Albania and the Western Balkans:
- 1Albania’s Legal and Policy Framework — Constitution (Art. 54), Youth Law No. 75/2019, the National Youth Strategy 2022–2029 and other relevant legislation as the foundation for YPS localisation.
- 2Principles of Meaningful Youth Engagement — Inclusivity, gender equality, transformative gender approaches, intergenerational partnerships and power dynamics.
- 3Challenges and Opportunities — In-depth analysis of barriers and entry points for each of the five YPS pillars in the Albanian context, including digital safety, school environments and youth spaces.
- 4Implementation Pathways — Strategic roadmaps, sectoral policies, local projects and support services for advancing the YPS Agenda at national and local level.
- 5Step-by-Step Implementation Guide — Context analysis, stakeholder mapping, strategic planning, risk management, coordination mechanisms and monitoring & evaluation frameworks.
- 6Financial Resources and Sustainability — The “70-20-10” budgeting rule for youth projects, innovative financing, gender-responsive budgeting and long-term sustainability strategies.
- 7International Best Practices — Lessons from Finland’s National Action Plan, Jordan’s 2250 National Coalition model and the OSCE YPS Roadmap (2025).
Key Recommendations
- Develop a dedicated National Action Plan (NAP) for the YPS Agenda in Albania, with measurable objectives, clear roles and allocated resources, co-created with young people.
- Strengthen existing youth participation mechanisms — the National Youth Council, Local Youth Councils and Public Safety Councils — rather than creating parallel structures.
- Build the capacity of government officials, youth workers and young people on YPS principles, meaningful participation, gender sensitivity and the “do no harm” principle.
- Advocate for dedicated youth budget lines at national and local level, applying the 70-20-10 budgeting rule.
- Integrate systematic monitoring and evaluation into the policy cycle, with age- and gender-disaggregated data and active youth involvement in the M&E process.
- Launch awareness campaigns to shift public narratives about youth — from passive recipients to active agents of peace and security.
- Leverage regional cooperation through RYCO and other Western Balkans platforms to exchange good practices and counter divisive narratives.
Who Is This Guide For?
- Civil society organisations and NGOs working on youth, peace and security
- Local and central government institutions, including municipalities and ministries
- Youth workers, activists and peacebuilders implementing programmes on the ground
- Young people themselves — as co-creators and implementers of the YPS Agenda
- International organisations and donors supporting youth policy in Albania
This guide is grounded in the findings of the Youth Needs Assessment on the UN YPS Agenda (YVNO, 2025), field data from focus groups in Tirana, Korça, Pogradec and Shkodër, and international references including the “Shared Future” study on youth perceptions of peace in the Western Balkans.
Authors and Contributors
The guide was produced through a broad collaborative process led by YVNO. The drafting team was coordinated by Andi Rabiaj (Executive Director), Kostian Jano (Board Member), Armela Pengili (Act for Society Centre), Rediona Skëndaj (Expert & Trainer) and Anxhela Kokoshi (Peer Educator), with contributions from Elida Nuri and Rodika Goci. Visual design by Liona Metushi. Supported by UNFPA Albania.
Disclaimer: The views, conclusions and recommendations expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations, the Peacebuilding Fund, UNDP or UNFPA. All references to Kosovo should be understood in the context of UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999). © 2025 Youth Voice Network of Organisations (YVNO). All rights reserved. Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
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