Itinerary of the Public Money – Youth Reports – Meet up #4

???? Reflecting on the Role and Future of the Lezha Youth Council (KVR)

The meeting focused on evaluating the role, functionality, challenges, and effectiveness of the Lezha Youth Council (KVR) in fulfilling its advisory role for youth policies at the local level. Discussions centered on assessing KVR’s performance during 2023-2024 and identifying opportunities for improvement.

According to Law 75/2019, KVR is required to serve as an advisory body for policies affecting youth. However, analyses revealed significant operational challenges. Key issues highlighted during the session include:

???? Membership Challenges:

• In 2023, KVR began the year with 4 new members, the municipal representative, and the chairperson as the leader. However, two members resigned, citing feelings of being unheard and underrepresented. Another member joined the municipality’s leadership structures, losing her status as an independent representative.
• By May 2024, KVR was left with only one active member, making it impossible to function effectively and underscoring the urgent need for restructuring.

???? Representation Gaps:
KVR’s recruitment primarily comprises high school and university students, leaving young professionals underrepresented. This limits the diversity of voices and issues addressed by the Council.

???? Performance Assessment:
The 2023 report revealed that KVR activities largely focused on workshops, debates, and social events, while its advisory role remained underutilized. While the municipality appreciated KVR’s activities, it provided no concrete examples of local policy impacts driven by the Council.

This meeting shed light on the core challenges faced by KVR and the pressing need for a complete restructuring of its structure. Only through balanced representation and active involvement in policymaking can KVR fulfill its legal role as an advisory body for youth in Lezha Municipality.

This intervention is supported by the BAT Monitor Program (Budget Accountability and Transparency), implemented by the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and funded by the European Union.