Albanian European Integration has been understood as a process where each step has to be implemented properly and In the course of the process, Albania will have to implement fundamental, far reaching reforms.

But, more than being required by the European Union, such reforms are urgently needed for Albania in order to enhance trust in the Albanian economy and in the political system. This would finally enable the country to fully participate in European integration, including rights and obligations. Experiences in the countries, having just entered the EU, demonstrate that the
transformation of the economic and political system has remarkably benefited from EU association and pre-accession strategies. Yet, it is the “European journey” that brings rewards.

One of the main affected categories by the developments and politics of EU Integration will be the youth. Young people are at the heart of what many scholars refer to as “a crisis of representation in democracy. In our country, also a fragile post-communist democracy, the situation of the youth is problematic, especially when it comes to participation in decision-making, within political parties or civil society organisations. Because young people are only discovering politics in a period of mistrust, protest, and growing abstention, these new parameters of their relationship to politics will probably continue to influence their future attitudes and behaviours.

Therefore, it is very important to provide capacity building training for this target group. There should be systematic projects to maintain positive youth support by increasing information on the EU and generating realistic expectations of their inclusion in this process. Young people should be encouraged and supported to act as groups of positive pressure on the government, seeking the continuity and transparency of the reforms necessary for EU integration, but above all, they must be able to build their capacities through the EU mechanisms available to civil society, including youth.

There is an urgent need to improve the quality of education , especially since emigration by young, skilled people is high while job opportunities are lower. Albanian youngsters and their youth representative associations should be previously informed on the available instruments that allow them to pursue their involvement in the policy cycle by advocating for youth interest.

Author : Enejda Groshi, Youth Act Albania