Kick-off Meeting
Date: 19 – 20 December
Place: Berat, Albania
The Kick-off Meeting of the RiseUp-WB – Raising Innovation, Skills & Empowerment for Youth in the Western Balkans project was held in Berat, Albania, officially launching the initiative and bringing partners together for the first time. This initial gathering marked the beginning of a structured and collaborative effort to strengthen youth empowerment across the region.
During the meeting, partners aligned on a common operational framework, clarified responsibilities, and confirmed implementation timelines for the upcoming period. Coordination mechanisms, communication flows, and quality standards were agreed to ensure effective and coherent delivery of all project activities.
The partnership unites diverse expertise and complementary perspectives from civil society, local governance, and international youth cooperation. Musik Art, Municipality of Berat, EuropeYou, NECI Albania, and OBOTI NGO bring together experience in youth work, community engagement, policy dialogue, and innovation, creating a solid and dynamic foundation for meaningful and sustainable impact.
Together, the consortium establishes a strong foundation for sustainable impact and meaningful opportunities for young people in the Western Balkans.
RiseUp-WB – Raising Innovation, Skills & Empowerment for Youth in the Western Balkans
``My participation in the TOT training within the RiseUpWB project was a very valuable and inspiring experience. As a teacher and school principal from the Municipality of Berat, I had the opportunity to further develop my professional skills, especially in the areas of innovation and youth empowerment.
The training was well-organized, interactive, and created a collaborative environment that encouraged the exchange of ideas and best practices. I am very grateful for this experience and motivated to apply the knowledge gained in my community.``
``Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a training course on youth entrepreneurship in the Balkans, representing my association, Musikart. One of the most enriching aspects was the international exchange: collaborating with peers from various nations allowed me to observe different, dynamic approaches to problem-solving, significantly broadening my perspective.
Lastly, this experience was a fantastic opportunity to discover Kosovo firsthand—a territory rich in potential, buzzing with energy, and driven by a contagious desire to grow``
``Participating in this Training of Trainers in Kosovo has been a truly enriching experience, both professionally and personally.
The workshops were highly interesting, practical, and engaging. Each session provided useful tools, real examples, and meaningful opportunities to exchange experiences with participants from different countries, which made the learning process even more inspiring.
I am leaving this experience with new skills, fresh ideas for future projects, and valuable international connections with people and organisations committed to youth work and non-formal education.``
``Being part of the Training of Trainers #2 in Prishtina was a genuinely enriching experience. The sessions covered everything from digital facilitation to volunteer coordination, but what stayed with me most was the energy of the group — people from different countries and backgrounds, all committed to making a real impact in their communities. I came back with practical tools, new perspectives, and connections I know will last beyond t
