Within the framework of the RYDE project, members of the youth councils from the four
municipalities of Tepelena, Erseka, Gjirokastra and Saranda, contributed to the development of
four Action Plans for youth that reflect their priorities, needs, and aspirations. These plans were
built through consultation workshops and needs assessments in collaboration with the youth
councils, respective municipalities and led by BBA ensuring that young voices were placed at
the center of decision-making.

The content of the action plans highlights pressing issues and concrete solutions in areas that
directly affect young people. Common priorities across the municipalities include the creation of
youth-friendly spaces, greater investment in education and skills development, improved
employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, and increased access to cultural, social, and
recreational activities. The plans also emphasize the importance of youth participation in
governance, proposing structured mechanisms for dialogue with municipal authorities and
greater transparency in decision-making processes.

What makes these action plans particularly valuable is that they are not just aspirational
documents, they are strategic tools that outline realistic measures, timelines, and responsibilities.
Each plan proposes specific actions that municipalities can take in partnership with youth
councils, from establishing local youth centers to introducing capacity-building programs,
strengthening volunteerism, and integrating digital platforms for communication between young
people and institutions.

The Action Plans have been presented to the municipalities and are in consideration to be
integrated into their internal strategic plans. Such integration would ensure that the priorities
identified by young people are not only acknowledged but also formally embedded into
municipal agendas, with dedicated budgets and concrete measures for implementation.

Through this process, the project highlights the true value of co-creation between young people
and institutions. The development of the action plans marked an important milestone, but their
institutional adoption will be the true measure of success, transforming the voices of young
people into sustainable, tangible change at the local level.