This summer, Albania was filled with artistic and awareness raising events encouraging citizens to get informed and choose the right paths before considering migration. Over 14 community initiatives were organized in Shkodra, Kukes, Dibra, Lezha, Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Vlora, Pogradec, Berat, Gjirokastra and Brussels, by the network of influencers of the “Albania is YOU!” campaign, in cooperation with local institutions. 

Through the proactive engagement of local influencers in the last months, we aimed to reach out to Albanian citizens and especially to young people, to: 
•    Raise awareness and change current perceptions and behaviors on migration, 
•    Propose responses to the main challenges and current needs,
•    Motivate and encourage the groups with the potential to choose irregular migration to consider all economic and educational opportunities in Albania as well as regular migration channels activities.

Berat and Brussels welcomed Photography Exhibitions, while in Lezha, hundreds of high school students joined peer-to-peer discussions and said their words through an Essay Competition.  A competition with artworks by young people coming from city center and rural areas, on migration and possibilities of Berat for self-development was organized. In Belgium, the Albanian diaspora got involved to provide potential migrants with a correct and up-to-date view of a possible safe migration, through radio shows, photo exhibitions and open discussions with Albanian students and migrants. 

The main boulevards in Durres and Pogradec turned into galleries of posters and messages on the risks and costs of irregular migration to the EU, during the journey, after arrival and upon return in case of a failed migration project, as well as local opportunities in Albania.

In an open-air Wheat Festival in Fier and public gatherings in the city center of Elbasan, we discussed with the local community about socio-economic problems leading to migration and the importance of regular and safe migration paths in order to protect children, youth, and community member. 

Street art in Dibra, Tirana and Shkodra was enriched with three new mural painting placed in public areas and aiming to impact on people’s choices and perspectives about unsafe migration routes, and the importance of investing in the country. 

In Kukes, Gjirokastra and Vlora, through youth debates, open discussions and summer camps, we talked directly with youth, encouraging them to explore local alternatives that allow for personal, professional, and economic development.

These events were organized as part of the “Albania is YOU!” awareness raising campaign, in the framework of the ARISE ALL project, co-funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Migration Office of the Belgian Federal Office for Home Affairs, and the Repatriation and Deportation Service of the Netherlands.