Project Goal: The programme aims to increase, as well as encourage the participation of the Albanian youth and their views in the decision-making process at the national and international level.

Project Description:  UNYD is a well-established initiative in around 40 member states, demonstrating the UN’s commitment to supporting youth participation in high-level forums and meetings, as a mechanism for shaping the future and working towards the 2030 Agenda. In Albania, it is established and run by UNAA in partnership with the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Youth and Children.

UNYD Albania is enshrined in the belief in the potential of the Albanian youth as the key factor that will bring change and development to the country. Our invested interest since the establishment of UNAA has been the creation, empowerment, and enabling of role models for the youth to be active and to be at the forefront of meaningful actions. This specific programme is an opportunity to contribute to forming civic role models, increase the participation of youth in political bodies at the international level, and provide a mechanism for them to be heard.

Each year, two young people between 18-28 years old are selected to officially join the National Delegation of Albania to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, as youth advisers. Their participation in the largest global forum of diplomacy includes attending the high-level week; coordinating with the Albanian Mission to the U.N. regarding coverage of intergovernmental conferences and side events, and culminating with the youth delegates’ speech in the Third Committee of the UNGA on behalf of the Republic of Albania. Before and after delivering a speech at the UNGA, the youth delegates receive all the necessary training through a set of preparatory meetings, weekly briefings with UNAA and different trainings by former UN Youth Delegates in Europe and UNAA’s staff. 

The programme includes a process of national consultations with Albanian youth and youth NGOs in different cities and regions in Albania, in order to equip the selected youth delegates (YDs) with a better insight into youth needs and potential. It also encourages the YDs to design small local/national initiatives on a pressing issue for young people in Albania. 

The two chosen Youth Delegates for 2023 will actively engage in the 78th UN General Assembly in New York. They will serve as youth advisers, offering insights and guidance to the Albanian delegation on matters concerning youth. Additionally, they will participate in the overall activities of the delegation, which includes attending meetings, participating in informal negotiations, and contributing to discussions within the Third Committee of the UNGA.

Since its launching in 2019, it has so far supported the successful mandates of three generations of youth delegates, culminating with their inclusion in the National Delegation of the Republic of Albania to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). More information on UNYD Albania can be found on the programme’s website www.unyouthdelegate.al.