On July 25-26, 2011, the first meeting of the partners of project SIMPLE (Strengthening the Identity of Minority People Leads to Equality) was held in Pescara, Italy. The first activity of the project was an intensive training on the financial and methodological management of the project and the coordination on the start up of the activities for each partner organization.

SIMPLE aims to achieve social cohesion among Adriatic Countries through the strengthening of cultural diversity values, in order to improve the life quality and the attractiveness of the Adriatic Region.

CDI is a partner of project SIMPLE and is responsible among others for the coordination of the Permanent Adriatic Observatory for the elaboration for the guidelines on the enhancement of the minorities communities as an economic resource, supports the project for the establishment of the Agency for Multiethnic Economic Development, as well as will establish the communication platform of the project.

On 19 April 2012, in occasion to the second Steering Group of the Project and of the first Training Seminar & Open Workshop “Governance systems against discrimination and violence towards minority and migrant women and other groups at risk”, SIMPLE project will officially launch its website (www.simpleproject.eu ). All documentation of the project is made accessible, along with links to specific sites and documentation about Partners of the Project and Minorities Issues in the South East Europe.

The Project SIMPLE is an innovative institutional cooperation and capacity building project that aims to achieve social cohesion among Adriatic Countries through the strengthening of cultural diversity values. The project is expected to improve the life quality and the attractiveness of the Adriatic Region. The project is financed by the IPA Adriatic CBC Programme 2007-2013 under the Priority 1 – Economic, social and institutional cooperation. The overall objective of the project is to elaborate joint strategies and approaches in the Adriatic Countries for the promotion of the equality and non-discrimination culture, as a basic value for the peaceful coexistence of all citizens, without distinction of race, religion and ethnic origin.

An important role of the project website is to capture and publish the social dynamics that aim to strengthen the minority groups cultural identity in the project area and to enable sharing data and expertise with the targeted Minorities associations and communities and with the public at large.

The website designed, prepared and managed by the Cooperation and Development Institute, partner of the SIMPLE Project, will be an easy tool providing:

– Project wide visibility, easy availability and download of all outputs, in a perspective of sustainability and replication of models and tools;

– Constant Information dealing with Adriatic minorities (laws, events, studies) through the online monthly magazine “SIMPLE NEWS”;

– On line request for joining the Permanent Observatory;

The project website has also a function of internal communication, with a reserved web-community area for project joint working, documents exchanges and database. It will also provide links and information about activities to be held within the project time frame and other relevant events, publications and fact-sheets.

11/11/2013

The Directorate General for Enlargement of the European Commission has published its annual report 2012 on the IPA pre-accession assistance to the candidate and potential candidate countries for the EU. The report, in the section dedicated to international cooperation projects with EU countries (page 18), has selected the project SIMPLE, leaded by Istria Region (Croatia) and where Cooperation and Development Institute is one of the partners, as an innovative cross-border initiative for social cohesion in the countries of South-Eastern Europe. The report highlights how the project contributes to strengthening SIMPLE values of diversity and to promoting equality of human rights.

To download the report click here , and to learn more about the project consult the project site www.simpleproject.eu

In organization of the Istria Region and under the president of Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovic’s high patronage, today in Rovinj was held closing conference “1st Adriatic Intercultural Day”, which is being held within the European project S.I.M.P.L.E. (Strenghtening the Identity of Minority People Leads to Equality).

Closing Conference of Project SIMPLE, hosted by the Lead Partner, Istria Region, on the 1st Adriatic Intercultural Day

IRANA, February 5 / ATA / – The Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) has been awarded the International Journalistic Award for media coverage of issues related to the integration of minorities into society.

At an event in Rovinj, Croatia, ATA journalist Ita Semi was named one of the top four European reporters.

She won this international prize as part of a project on the theme ‘Daily portraits of the cultural society of the Adriatic’, funded by the European Union.

The integration of minorities and disadvantages into society was the main objective of an anti-discrimination initiative launched in the Adriatic countries.

Every January 31, countries such as Albania, Montenegro, Italy, Slovenia and Croatia organize joint activities as part of the harmonious cohabitation of minorities within their societies.

The Italian Union in Slovenia initiated this inclusive project in South East Europe.

Representatives of the five Adriatic countries (Italy, Albania, Montenegro, Slovenia, and Croatia) presented examples from their countries, highlighting the efforts made to integrate minorities and people in need into society .

Deputy Minister of Social Welfare and Youth Bardhylka Kospiri informed the participants of this activity about the situation of minorities in Albania.

“Albania has ratified all international convections on the rights of minorities and disadvantaged strata. Ethnic minorities and people in need are an integral part of Albanian society. Albanian laws prohibit discrimination, these categories of people can integrate into society, “said Kospiri.

The organizers of this activity considered the media as the most important partner for the integration of minorities and unfavorable layers in the societies of the Adriatic countries.

Four journalists from Albania, Italy, Croatia and Slovenia won the prize for best media production. The awards ceremony took place at the end of this activity.

From 5th to 13th December, in Palermo, Italy, took place the Training Course “EIRENE – European Intercultural Education towards a New Era of Understanding”. This training was addressed to youth workers, youth leaders, youth advisors and project managers working in the youth field. The project funded by the Erasmus+, gathered participants coming from 17 different countries (Italy, Bulgaria, Greece, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Slovak Republic, Macedonia, Turkey, UK, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia). CDI was a partner of this project, and brought its best research experience in the field of EU projects focusing on social cohesion and recently in youth cooperation within the Berlin Process.

All the participants actively participated in the following non formal education activities:

– Creative intercultural exchange of opinions, views and experiences about cultural backgrounds, social cohesion aspects, like peace and intercultural dialogue, expressed through non formal education;
– Theoretical and practical sessions of the approach of nonviolence; design and creation of a “Log-book”
– Interactive workshops on peace building, mediation and communication.

Click here for more information about the project.

Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI) in the framework of the project “The management of migration flows: Analysis and Strategies for Solutions” supported by Hanns–Seidel Foundation (HSS), carried out a fact-finding mission on 29/04/2016, visiting the refugee camp areas in Greece (Idomeni, Kozani, Evzoni) and Border Crossing Point of Kapshtica.

Data were collected and interviews were hold in order to support the research phase on the management of migration flows at the Albanian border, including asylum seekers in Albania.

Findings of the research will be presented in a special event where relevant stakeholders will participate, in order to inform and enhance the political and media debate prior to the Paris Summit WB6 in the framework of Berlin Process.

Among Syrian refugees in the refugee camp in Kozani

Indoor environment of the refugee camp in Kozani

Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with Hanns -Seidel Foundation organized on Friday, June 10th, 2016, the Workshop “Migrant’s Path to Europe: the Albanian Step of the Balkan Route”

The workshop was focused on the situation of migration flows in Europe and its impact in Albania, as well as the internal and external factors that condition the migrants’ entry in our country.

The experts pointed out Albania’s role in the Balkan Migration Route and gave their assessments if our country could become the next destination for migrants or simply serve as a temporary transit one; highlighted the key factors that provoked the migration flows flee toward the EU countries and indicated the geographical position of the Balkans; discussed the management and control issues of Albanian border points, as well as the trafficking of human beings across the Adriatic Sea; also affirmed the importance of respecting the human rights of foreigners in relevant Albanian institutions; provided an overview of issues and procedures on how to receive asylum in Albania, and emphasized the institutional cooperation among the Albanian government and EU partners.

This workshop brought together experts from national authorities and organizations (Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs that deal with migration issues), Albanian Committee of Helsinki, the prestigious German newspaper “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, German Embassy in Tirana, and other organizations which focus on migration-related aspects. Each workshop session was followed by a question and answer space, where the participants had the opportunity to debate with respective speakers and experts.

The analysis of migration factors and Albania’s position will be published soon on CDI’s website www.cdinstitute.eu and on its public policy portal www.shtetiweb.org

Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with European Movement in Montenegro and European Movement Novi Sad, National Youth Service and with the support of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), organized in Tirana on October 14, the workshop “A mapping and comparative assessment of the Youth Organizations in the Western Balkans”- Presenting the profile of Albanian youth organizations.

The workshop presented the results of the project “Enhancing Regional Youth Connectivity” providing a mapping of the youth organizations in the three partner countries, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia. The event was attended by representatives of national and regional youth organizations, CSOs, Albanian national institutions and Media. Mrs. Merita Xhafaj, General Director of Social Policies in the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, highlighted the importance of institutional collaboration with youth organizations and CSOs in Albania and pointed out the importance of this policy brief for the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, so that this office could address the identified needs and gaps of the youth organizations in Albania through its future activities.

Mrs. Dafina Peci, General Secretary of National Youth Congress emphasized the role of RYCO in improving the youth cooperation and communication in the Western Balkans with the aim of promoting reconciliation and peace building values. Mr. Kreshnik Loka from National Youth Service underlined the inspiring values of RYCO in youth exchanges and reconciliation processes in the Western Balkans.

193 youth organizations, including youth movements, umbrella organizations, CSOs focusing youth, etc., from Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have contributed to the conduct of a comparative assessment of the profile features of the youth organizations, their activities, needs and constrains, and expectations from the upcoming Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), soon to be established in Tirana.

The research provides concrete recommendations to youth policy-makers and youth organizations. Specific country findings were presented by Mrs. Krisela Hackaj, Team Leader of the regional research, Mrs. Ivana Boskovic for Montenegro and Mr. Milisav Milinkovic, Serbia.

Mrs. Hackaj highlighted the urgent need for establishing proper data registers mapping youth activities in Albania. This allows building grounded youth policies and having proper monitoring and evaluation of the strategic framework. Providing intensive support to rural and out-of-capital youth initiatives is also important to a balanced social development process in the country. Movements in schools, universities or other learning environments and volunteering activities need also to be encouraged.

For a detailed insight on the findings you can read the policy brief here. You may also consult a comparative Factsheet with main features of the youth organizations of the region.

02.12.2016

From 20th to 22nd November, in Novi Sad, Serbia, took place the Regional Youth Leadership Forum co-organised by the Novi Sad office of the European Movement in Serbia, the European Fund for the Balkans and the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence. This forum was addressed to socially active young professionals and leaders between the age of 19 and 30, who had the unique opportunity to dialogue and exchange their opinions and listen to influential speakers and guests. Current international as well as regional affairs were at the foreground of the Forum, most prominently issues such as the consequences the “Brexit” campaign holds for the future of the EU and the increasingly relevant question of European federalism; the widespread rise of the political far-right across Europe;

The CDI colleague Migena Bufi participated in the forum panel: European Union and the Western Balkans: Challenges for the Future Leadership in the New Europe. CDI presented its work in the field of youth was done, i.e the study “Mapping of youth organizations in Albania, Serbia and Montenegro” as well the current project on promoting RYCO and its field activities among the youngsters in Albania. In this panel were addressed issues such as: Who are going to be our leaders in the near future? Do we have leadership capacities to continue the process of the Ever Closer Union once we become the members? Among others is has been discussed how the western Balkans as a region can contribute to EU.

16.12.2016

Cooperation and Development Institute in partnership with Hanns Seidel Foundation organized on Friday,  December 16^th, 2016, the round-table“Comprehending Albanian Migration to Germany: 2014-2016”.

The authors of the study with the same title presented the main findings of the research which provided an investigation to understand the recent migration outflow originating from Albania during 2014 – 2016, the push and pull factors that influenced the decision to migrate and the profiles and perspective of the returnees.

One of the co-authors of the study, Prof. Esmeralda Shehaj from the Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Tirana,  emphasized the key factors that provoked migration flows of Albanian nationals to Germany, and pointed out main data in reference to this phenomenon i.e. 53,805 Albanians submitted an application for asylum in Germany in 2015! Only 55 positive decisions out of 23,300 final decisions regarding asylum protection were taken from German authorities in 2015! Only 10 asylum requests, out of 34,000 asylum requests from January­to October 2016, were approved. 

Mr. NeshatZeneli, also a co-author of the study, Director of Employment Service at the National Employment Service of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, highlighted the necessity of spreading information to inform people on legal migration to Germany in order to avoid illegal departures.  Mr. Saimir Boshnjaku from the Border and Migration General Directorate, State Police, underlined the role of Albanian State Police in the process of returned/readmitted Albanian unaccompanied minors from other countries and the measures undertaken to manage migrants’ repatriation in general. While, a young Albanian returnee, AkilVarfi, shared his experience as a former asylum-seeker in Germany and stated the main reason that pushed him at his family to leave Albania.

 The research, conducted by Cooperation and Development Institute, took place from April until October 2016 and included desk review, media monitoring, in-depth interviews and field visits.

The event brought together experts from national authorities,  academia, and counted on the participation of researchers, returnees, CSOs, and other interested parties.

Full analysis of the study will be published soon on CDI’s website www.cdinstitute.eu and on www.shtetiweb.org

A Factsheet of the main findings can be accessed and read here.