Itinerary of the Public Money – Youth Reports – Meet up #6

Discussing Responsible Governance: “The Public Money Trail – Youth Reporting” Initiative

In one of our recent meetings, aspiring activists from H.A.N.A came together as part of the initiative “The Public Money Trail – Youth Reporting” to continue discussions on responsible governance and the management of public funds at the local level. Operating within Lezha Municipality, H.A.N.A is dedicated to fostering accountability.

Although we typically gather to explore the role we can and should play in advocating for better public money management, this time, our discussion began with reflections on the tragedy at the “Fan Noli” Elementary School in Tirana. Meanwhile, we await responses from Lezha Municipality regarding the budget allocated for schools under the ZVAP Lezha jurisdiction.

When asked about their perspective on education in Albania, participants described it as “a mess that looks good from the outside,” pointing to deeply rooted, unaddressed issues. They spoke not only about formal education but also about the superficial answers they often encounter, recognizing the lack of genuine engagement.

Over the course of two hours, the discussion delved into:

• Barriers to nurturing and expressing talents.
• Activities organized for numbers and quantity rather than quality.
• The lack of community spaces for meaningful interaction.
• Pressures faced by teachers.

Participants also shared their thoughts on how schools addressed the recent tragedy with students, noting that discussions were superficial and failed to address core issues. It was emphasized that teachers are often under pressure not to speak openly, leaving critical matters unaddressed.

One question asked in a school left participants surprised and divided in their opinions: “Why do boys react with such aggression?” This led the conversation to reflect on gender roles in Albanian society.

It’s moments like these—when youth speak passionately and demand the truth be told—that inspire us to build platforms and safe spaces for meaningful conversations.

This is the core club of aspiring activists at H.A.N.A. If you are a young person with a strong sense of awareness about what we should demand from the government and institutions, there’s a place for you here! Join a small community of peers who listen, ask questions, and take action.