Fast Forward

The project “Engage, connect and empower youth for a sustainable green future” is focused on two European Youth Goals: quality learning and sustainable green Europe. It aims at implementing a creative strategy in terms of capacity building for the new generation actually facing the problems of tomorrow related to environment degradation, climate change, and sustainability issues. The target group of the project is youth trainers/workers, organizations, young activists in Albania, local/national authorities, and citizens of Albania and Europe. The project will focus in bringing the EU practices and translate them into tangible tools for youth in Western Balkan in order to fast forward the green transition.
The core of the project, capacity building, will be achieved through a critical number of activities, such as ToT, Youth exchanges, toolkits and manuals. These activities will spill over throughout non-formal learning providers benefitting staff, youth, and key stakeholders in the process.
This project is being developed in partnership with six organizations: Build Green Group and AlbanianSkills from Albania, BRAVO – Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eco – Logic from North Macedonia, The Balkan Forum from Kosovo and Brigaid EU Project from Spain.

Monitoring Meeting

As part of the project, a monitoring meeting was held on September 9th by Project Officer Christelle Philips of EACEA. The session focused on reviewing key milestones, timelines, and work packages, allowing the project partners to assess both strengths and areas for improvement. This meeting confirmed the successful progress of the project, made possible through the joint efforts of our partners.

Training of Trainers (ToT)

Valencia, Spain

The Fast Forward: Engage, Connect, and Empower Young People for a Sustainable Green Future project marked an important milestone with the successful Training of Trainers (ToT) event held in Valencia, Spain on June 26-27. Over the course of two days, trainers from all partner organizations—AlbanianSkills (Albania), Brigaid EU Project (Spain), BRAVO – Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Build Green Group (Albania), and Eco-Logic (Republic of North Macedonia)—gathered to set the foundation for the youth exchange program.

Day 1:
The first day of the training introduced the trainers to the project’s methodology and focused on preparing for the upcoming youth exchanges, which will be implemented across the five partner countries: Albania, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Spain.

Day 2:
The second day featured an interactive session on developing the Training KIT and a comprehensive introduction to the project’s Communication Plan, aimed at enhancing both the effectiveness of training and the overall communication impact. Participants provided key feedback to fine-tune upcoming project outputs and activities.

As a result of this training, young people from partner countries will have the opportunity to engage in educational programs that focus on pressing topics such as climate change, the green agenda, and digital green skills.

Vlorë, Albania

This dynamic five-day event held on August 26-30, brought together 30 participants from six partner organizations: Build Green Group and AlbanianSkills (Albania), BRAVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Eco-Logic (North Macedonia), The Balkan Forum (Kosovo), and Brigaid EU Project (Spain).

The event began with engaging activities facilitated by Ismail Sehiç from BRAVO, allowing participants to connect and create synergy. Drenusha Canolli, Project Manager at The Balkan Forum, presented an overview of the organization’s mission, activities, and goals, helping participants understand the broader context of the project.

The second day opened with a group activity to foster further collaboration, followed by two insightful sessions. Oljam Dervishi explored the impact of climate change on natural and human systems, while Anira Gjoni focused on communicating climate change to the public and engaging communities. Participants worked in groups to prepare presentations on the impact of these topics in their respective countries and developed activities on creating Integrated Impact Assessment Models.

On the third day, participants delved into understanding climate data and explored tools for effective climate action. A highlight of the day was the storytelling session, where groups crafted climate narratives and action plans, emphasizing the role of impactful communication in driving climate awareness and solutions.

Over the five days, the ToT event combined creative activities, research, and presentations, all aimed at equipping young trainers with the skills to lead future youth exchanges. The Fast Forward project aligns with two European Youth Objectives: Quality Learning and Sustainable Europe, ensuring that young people are at the forefront of tackling environmental challenges.

Youth Exchange

Struga, North Macedonia

From December 1-6, nine young people from Kosovo participated in the second youth exchange of the Fast Forward Project in Struga, North Macedonia. This exchange provided a platform for participants to explore topics related to the environment and climate change while connecting with peers from Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Spain.

Throughout the exchange, participants engaged in a variety of activities, including:

• Workshops on sustainability
• Nature walks to explore the local environment
• Meetings with North Macedonian officials to discuss environmental policies
• An International Night celebrating the unique cultures of each country

Bringing together 30 young people, this exchange fostered cross-cultural understanding and encouraged fresh perspectives on global challenges.

Peja, Kosovo

From February 3 to 7, The Balkan Forum hosted 30 young changemakers from Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Spain in Peja for a transformative Youth Exchange under the Fast Forward project. Over five days, participants explored the urgent issue of climate change through interactive workshops, expert discussions, cultural exchanges, and field visits, gaining valuable insights into environmental sustainability and collective action.

Learning from Experts, Learning from Each Other

The exchange featured impactful sessions led by climate and policy experts, including Agim Mazrekueku, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning; Uran Haxha, an investigative journalist; and Genc Krasniqi from the Institute for Development Policy (INDEP). Under the guidance of trainer Sytrime Dervisholli, participants engaged in thought-provoking workshops on climate action, exchanging ideas and solutions to address environmental challenges in their communities.

Beyond discussions, participants took part in immersive experiences, including a visit to Rilindja Gjelbër, a sustainability initiative focused on green development, and the School of Art in Peja, where creativity and sustainability intersect. The exchange also fostered cultural understanding through an International Culture Night, where participants showcased their diverse traditions, highlighting the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing global challenges.

Durrës, Albania

From February 24-28, 2025, the Fast Forward Youth Exchanges continued with Youth Exchange 4 (YE4) in Durrës, Albania, bringing together young participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Spain for five days of learning, collaboration, and action.

During the exchange, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on climate change, youth activism, and environmental policies. Key topics included the protection of the Vjosa River and strategies to combat climate disinformation. Through interactive workshops and teamwork, participants developed ideas and action plans aimed at fostering a more sustainable future.

Kick-off meeting

The successful kick-off meeting for the Fast Forward project was held in Tirana, Albania on April 13-14. This initiative unites five partner organizations from across Europe: AlbanianSkills (Albania), The Balkan Forum (Kosovo), Brigaid EU Project (Spain), BRAVO – Bosnian Representative Association for Valuable Opportunities (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Eco-Logic (Republic of North Macedonia).
During this meeting, partners came together to plan the next steps in engaging and empowering young people for a greener, more sustainable future. The main focus of the Fast Forward project is to support youth in becoming key actors in environmental action and education.