Innovation Challenge: Youth Guarantee Programme in Albania

Deadline: 16 February 2025

Are you a young people aged 18-29 in Tirana, Shkodra or Vlora and do you have ideas and passion to help young people in your city have employment, education or vocational training alternatives? Would you like to participate in a unique experience, where, together with other young people, youth organizations and local actors, you create innovative solutions and services for your peers? If yes, then the EU4Youth project invites you to join the Innovation Challenge, an opportunity to create new solutions and bring change to your communities!

The Youth Guarantee has been implemented for more than 10 years in the European Union countries. The main objective is the integration of young people into the labor market, supporting their professional and social development.

The Youth Guarantee is currently being piloted in the municipalities of Tirana, Vlora and Shkodra by the National Employment and Skills Agency, with the support of the EU4Youth project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP and UNICEF. Upon completion of the pilot phase, the Youth Guarantee will be extended to the regional level, and then nationally.

Benefits

You will learn how to work with formats like Techstars Hackathon and “human-centered design”.
Opportunity to meet and collaborate with local experts and stakeholders.
Opportunity to create impactful solutions for the youth of your city.
Opportunity to introduce yourself and get involved with the Youth Guarantee program.
Certificate of participation and reference letter from UNDP and UNICEF.
For young people with winning ideas: opportunities to win prizes and short-term professional engagements with UNDP and the National Employment and Skills Agency.

How will the innovation challenge work?

Selected applicants for the Innovation Challenge will participate in a multi-phase process, facilitated by international and Albanian mentors. It is essential that young people and organizations selected for the Innovation Challenge commit to participating in all its phases!
- Phase 1: Introductory Session (Online)
  - Objective: Introduction to the Youth Guarantee and the Innovation Challenge process.
  - Activities:
    - A collective online session introducing the Innovation Challenge (2 hours).
    - An individual online session with each participant (1 hour).
  - Period: February 21 – March 4, 2025.
- Phase 2: 2-Day Techstars Hackathon (In-Person)
  - Objective: Co-designing solutions for activating and providing services to address the challenges of NEET youth.
  - Activities:
    - A 2-day Techstars Hackathon with all participants in one location.
    - Participants work in teams to create service prototypes for NEET youth with guidance from mentors.
  - Dates: March 5-6, 2025.
- Phase 3: Design Challenge in Each Region (Tirana, Vlora, Shkodër) (In-Person)
  - Objective: Validation of proposed models to address the unique challenges of NEET youth in Tirana, Vlora, and Shkodër.
  - Activities: One dedicated workshop in each city (Tirana, Shkodër, Vlora).
  - Period: March 17-26, 2025.
- Phase 4: Prototype Finalization Session (Online)
  - Objective: Validation and finalization of proposed models.
  - Activities: Online sessions to validate and finalize identified models.
  - Period: March 27 – April 4, 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

Young people: Age: 18-29 years old.
Residents of the municipalities of Tirana, Shkodër, Vlora.
Creative and eager to learn.
Willing to work in a team and engage in co-design.
With motivation and commitment to actively participate in at least Phase 1 and 2 of the Innovation Challenge.

For more information, visit UNDP.