August 7, 2025 | Thursday
With the clear and ambitious goal at its center: to equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to act in defence of the environment and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and with the support of the EU, the Youth for Sustainable Future “Youth for Sustainable Future” empowered young people from municipalities of Lushnja (Albania) and Fushë Kosovë/Kosovo Polje (Kosovo).
This cross-border initiative was implemented by Milieukontakt Albania and the Institute for Development Policy (INDEP) in Kosovo. Although it officially ran from January to November 2024, the activities implemented throughout the project’s duration have had a sustainable and lasting impact on the beneficiaries, which continues to this day.
Through environmental awareness, civic education and international youth exchange, the Youth for Sustainable Future served as a practical model for youth involvement in sustainable development and as a powerful example of strengthening regional cooperation through shared values and action.
With a genuine, hands-on involvement in community-based activities that directly improved the environment that these young people call home through long-lasting intervention and with special focus on SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 11 (sustainable cities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land), throughout the year, participants took part in a diverse range of activities designed to develop both environmental competencies and civic engagement.
The activities included cleaning up polluted areas, planting trees in schoolyards and public spaces, installing waste separation bins, and hosting open information sessions that reached over 600 students. The youth also took part in educational visits to recycling companies, created exhibitions using recycled materials, and participated in a cross-border summer camp held in Lushnja. These experiences helped them develop concrete capacities in environmental activism while also raising their awareness about the powerful role they can play in their communities as change-makers.
What made this project stand out was its inclusive and interactive approach. It created a strong sense of ownership and responsibility among the young participants. Whether it was organising neighbourhood cleanups, planting trees, or crafting art from reused materials, the youth came to understand, through direct action, the vital connection between environmental health and community well-being. Learning through doing proved to be one of the most successful elements of the initiative, with lasting effects on how young people think about and respond to environmental issues.
A particularly impactful component of the project was the cross-border summer camp. For three days, young people from Albania and Kosovo came together for an immersive program that included SDG-themed workshops, educational games, cultural visits, and community activities. Beyond learning and sharing knowledge, this exchange helped build a common regional identity rooted in sustainability. Through direct interaction, youth from both countries strengthened bonds of solidarity, empathy, and cooperation on issues that transcend borders.
The support of the European Union was fundamental, not only in the technical execution of the project but also in expanding its impact both locally and regionally. Beyond providing financial resources, the EU’s involvement lent credibility and visibility to the project in the eyes of the local community and public institutions. The presence and engagement of municipal representatives in various activities, from neighbourhood cleanups to creative exhibitions. reflected the broad-based institutional and civic support the project gained. Moreover, the initiative helped strengthen cooperation between civil society organisations and local authorities, a crucial element in building sustainable and inclusive policies.
At a time when environmental and social challenges are increasingly interconnected, Youth for Sustainable Future stands as a successful example of how environmental awareness and regional solidarity can be fostered through the active engagement of young people. It gave youth a real voice in shaping the future of their communities – and showed that when empowered, they are not just participants in development, but leaders of it.