Albania developed national strategies and action plans, in order to include and support young people. The National Youth Strategy 2022-2029 sets an important priority on young people’s involvement in politics and society through their participation in community issues and decision-making processes. Numerous research studies indicate that the majority of young individuals initiate their political and civic involvement at the local level, where they participate in grassroots democracy and embrace constructive behaviors, standards, and prospects for their future.

This report aims to analyze youth participation based on a set of predefined indicators of civic and political engagement. It also includes a number of recommendations for enhancing youth participation in local decision-making processes and civic initiatives in Has Municipality.

Youth involvement in decision-making processes and civic initiatives significantly contributes to the sustainable and endogenous development of local communities. When carried out in collaboration with decision-makers, inclusive youth engagement can influence policy outcomes and curb political and civic tokenism, so it is important to promote deliberative models of youth participation. The involvement of young people in public debates should be accompanied by increased transparency and information on local initiatives, youth programmes, and budgets dedicated to youth.

This report, through recommendations, brings a contribution to the advancement of the existing interventions undertaken by the Municipality of Has aligned with the National Youth Strategy 2022-2029.

The publication of this report was supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Tirana. The views, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this report are solely those of its author(s) and do not reflect the views of the Konrad-Adenauer Foundation.