Youth Bootcamp in Northern Albania Empowers Young People to Speak Up Against Digital Violence

Young people from northern Albania, came together for a two-day boot camp aimed at helping them recognize, challenge and respond to violence, both online and offline.

The activity engaged more than 30 young women and men from four municipalities in northern Albania: Dibër, Klos, Bulqizë and Mat. It created a safe and interactive environment where participants could learn about different forms of violence, understand their consequences, and explore how young people can contribute to safer and more inclusive communities.

The boot camp focused on recognizing different forms of violence, including physical, psychological, sexual, economic and technology-facilitated abuse, and understanding their consequences for individuals, families and communities. Participants also learned about legal protections, reporting mechanisms and available support services, strengthening their ability to seek help and guide others when violence occurs.

The activity was organized by Different & Equal and Agrita Vizion organizations, working to prevent gender-based violence and support women and girls in rural areas, as part of the project “Empowering Women for Rural Development in Northern Albania”, implemented by UN Women and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS).

According to Sidorela Horeshka, Director of Agrita Vizion, in 2025, a total of 28 cases of violence against women and girls were reported in Dibër Municipality, highlighting the persistence of this issue, as well as the continuous underreporting and the need to raise awareness and conduct community engagement activities around all forms of violence and avenues to seek help.

“Young people are at a critical stage of development. Early interventions through education, counselling and positive activities help prevent frustration, anger or social pressures from turning into violence. Programmes that work with young people help them learn communication skills, emotional management, conflict resolution and healthy decision-making”, said Sidorela Horeshka of Agrita Vizion, a local organization working to empower and provide services to women in rural Albania.

A strong emphasis was placed on youth leadership and peer-to-peer advocacy. Through group discussions, role plays and creative workshops, participants were encouraged to challenge harmful social norms, reflect on their own attitudes and develop youth-led awareness initiatives, including campaign ideas, posters and digital content aimed at promoting non-violence and respect.

For many participants, the boot camp expanded their understanding of violence beyond what is immediately visible.

“Psychological and online violence are often not taken seriously, even though they are very widespread and cause deep emotional scars. During the boot camp days, I understood more clearly how frequent and dangerous online violence is. I also learned that violence affects not only the victim, but also their relationships with family, friends and the wider community, leading to isolation and insecurity,” Ergita Reçi, one of the young participants from Dibër, reflected on the impact of the activity.

Ergys Sadiku, also from Dibër, said that the discussions reinforced a sense of responsibility to act rather than remain silent.

“The discussion about psychological violence struck me the most, because it is often invisible to others but it has a strong adverse impact on the person who experiences it. Now, I would think twice before staying silent.”

Another participant, Amaerda Lusha, from Dibër, emphasized the importance of staying informed and actively engaging in learning opportunities:

“Take part in as many activities as possible that provide information you will need in your everyday life.”

Sidorela Horeshka from Agrita Vizion drew attention to the local context in northern Albania, where traditional gender norms remain strong:

“Dibër continues to be a patriarchal area, and gender-based violence remains widespread. Early marriages are still a factor directly increasing the risk of violence. The migration of men and boys, leaving women to care for their families on their own, is quite common. While awareness of gender equality has increased, as reflected by more women and girls reporting violence, the situation remains challenging.

The activity was supported by UN Women Albania as part of its efforts to prevent violence against women and girls and strengthen youth engagement in promoting gender equality, particularly in rural areas.

The boot camp was delivered in collaboration with UNFPA Albania and Be a Man Club, bringing together expertise on youth engagement, gender norms and prevention of violence.