| Përshkrimi i aktiviteteve bazë |
QMSZ was formally registered in 2018, but was started as an initiative in 2015. It began with founder Arlis Alikaj organizing local youth to clean up the local River Shkumbin, which had been heavily polluted, as local authorities failed to act. This project was a great success, developing a culture of activism and volunteerism that had not been previously seen in Librazhd, and the initiative has since engaged in other grassroots community projects related to the environment and youth empowerment.
Projects:
- Young Journalists Initiative – Nov 2018 – Mar 2019 – Brought together 15 aspiring young journalists from Librazhd and the surrounding area, training and empowering them to raise their voices on important community issues including the environment, social inclusion, and government accountability
- Young Readers Project – Jan 2019 – Collected and delivered English-language books to underserved village primary school
- Women’s Economic Empowerment – May 2018 – Nov 2018 – Designed and facilitated weekly entrepreneurship course to help local women develop business plans, think entrepreneurially, and forge a support network with their peers
- EcoAlbania Hydropower Environmental Forum – Sept 2018 – Organized and managed all logistics for a roundtable discussion on issues related to the expansion of hydropower in Albania, bringing together over 40 members of local government and civil society
- Young Environmentalists Club – Mar 2018 – June 2018 – Designed and implemented 12-week hands-on outdoor environmental education course for 7 and 8-year old students
- “I Am the Shkumbin” – June 2017 – Directed short documentary on youth activists raising awareness for river protection, which was awarded at Albanian Environmental Film Festival and shown on major national television news network
- Environmental advocacy campaign – Feb 2015 – Sep 2015 – Orchestrated campaign to raise community awareness on river protection, culminating in signing of strategic long-term plan with municipal government
Areas of Expertise:
- Youth activism and empowerment
- Environmental protection and resource management
- Advocacy and awareness-raising campaigns
- Investigative journalism
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