Youth and Education

We are interested in improving the lives of young people locally and globally, and education is a vital aspect towards this goal.

Education is crucial in eradicating poverty and promoting sustained, inclusive, and equitable economic growt, as well as promoting sustainable development. Increased efforts towards education accessibility, quality, and affordability are central to global development efforts. ACER works with the governmental authorities and policy-makers to strengethen institutions’s accountability for creating and fostering food systems that protect children’s right to nutrition, as well as making safe, affordable, nutritous and sustainable diets a reality for children overall Albania. ACER has been active in contributing to the adoption and enforcement policies, and the regulatory framework that protect them, their families, and communities from harmful food marketing practices, chemicals, preservatives, and environmental destruction.

Completed Projects

Period	Donor	Name of the Project	Summary
Jun 2022 – Sep 2024	World Vision Albania	End-of-project evaluation: EU funded project ‘Community Centre for Disability Services” Prrenjas.	The project’s aim is for children and youth with disabilities in Prrenjas municipality to be provided with opportunities to realise their full potential. Through this project, children and youth with disabilities will have the chance to receive integrated specialised services at home, through a mobile unit, in a community centre and through inclusive education practices at schools through trained mobile and community centre units of specialists, support teachers and psycho-social staff in schools. Youth activism and volunteering is another pillar of this project. Youth will be trained to become active citizens and supported to undertake their activities in support of disability and social inclusion.
Feb 2024 - May 2024	Save the Children Albania	Pathways tO Wellbeing, Empowerment and Resilience for Adolescents and Youth (POWER 4 AY)	This survey targets youth aged 10-24, including families, to assess their access to education, social services, employment, and public services. The selection criteria are based on the identification of vulnerabilities, including lack of access to education, social services, housing, credit, employment, health services, and basic social rights. The survey aims to collect data to better understand the challenges faced by these groups and improve access to essential services.
October – November 2022	World Vision Albania / EU	End of project evaluation: “Pathways to career development: Preparing Albanian and Montenegrin Youth for Career Opportunities in the Tourism Sector”.	The evaluation aims to assess the impact of the EU-funded project “Pathways to Career Development: Preparing Albanian and Montenegrin Youth for Career Opportunities in the Tourism Sector.” It will contribute to discussions on the replicability and sustainability of such interventions, appraising the project and identifying best practices to guide future efforts in preparing youth for the job market in cross-border areas like Shkoder and Ulcinj.
July 2020–Jan. 2022	UNICEF Albania	Improving the Nutrition Status of School Age Children in Albania	The project focused on addressing nutritional challenges among children and promoting healthier dietary habits. The initiative aimed to reduce malnutrition, combat micronutrient deficiencies, and raise awareness about the importance of balanced nutrition for children’s growth, development, and academic success. Key activities included conducting assessments to identify nutritional gaps, collaborating with schools to integrate nutrition education into curricula, and engaging families and policymakers to support child-centered nutrition policies. The project also aimed to facilitate access to fortified foods and address food insecurity in vulnerable communities, ultimately creating a supportive environment to improve children’s nutrition and overall well-being.
June 2020	Mary Ward Loreto Foundation	Causes about Un-Ethical and Corruption Behaviours in Education System in Albania	The main goal of the survey on Ethics and Corruption on Education system in Albania, was the identification of problems such as corruption in the education system, need for improvement of the curricula, teacher competence and the role and influence of parents in the education system. The survey targeted one high school and one faculty, in the University of Tirana. In particular, this survey collected data addressing 3 categories: students, parents and teachers in two levels: high school and university. The sample consisted of 1000 respondents. The study was focused mainly on the following issues: Researching the reality of the education system from High School to University level revealing the reasons why the system is not functioning for the benefit of the students and the desires of the parents and to note any good qualities which might emerge in the research; Researching and measuring the competence of the teachers in the implementation of the curriculum in the education system; and Researching the role and influence of the parents in the implementation of the education system.
Feb. – Sept. 2018	UNDP	School lunches, after school care and students’ performance – evaluation of the upcoming pilot programme in the municipality of Tirana project	The aim of this study is to evaluate school lunches and after school care as well as students’ performance project that the Municipality of Tirana has piloted in 2018. ACER is in charge to assess the impact of the pilot and to provide evidence of the program’s effectiveness. The program is tested in four primary schools in Tirana, targeting pupils of 3, 5 and 8 grade. For the purpose of the study a quasi-experimental design followed by mixed-methods sequential explanatory design will be employed in 4 reference schools and 4 control groups, which have same major characteristics. This design consists of three distinct phases: a quasi-experimental design followed by a correlational study and in the end will be conducted a qualitative study. Following this approach, the quasi-experimental design will measure the impact of the program on students’ academic results, health and learning outcomes. These data will me gathered via three customized questionnaires that are developed for pupils, teachers and parents. The correlational study will measure the perceptions of children, parents and teachers regarding the projects. In the end, the qualitative data and their analysis will refine and explain the statistical results by exploring in more depth students’ views about the school lunches, after school care and students' performance.
May – September 2017	FAO	A study of the current legislative and policy framework for supporting an integrated multi-sectoral national SFN Programme in Albania	The objective of this assignment was to address some of the issues that have been identified as key to the effective design, development and implementation of the pilot SFN project. The activities undertaken will help to strengthen institutional capacity in Albania to develop and implement the planned integrated, multi-sectoral pilot project, and ultimately, to the development of a national programme.
Jan. 2017–	UNICEF	Evidence-based Communication For Behavior Change Strategy (CBCS) on Changing the Attitudes of Parents and Public at Large about Roma Children Access to School in Albania	The CBCS's overall goal is have parents (Roma and non-Roma) and teachers in four targeted counties (Berat, Durrës, Shkodër and Korça) at 12 schools, three per each county to support Roma children inclusion in compulsory education. More specifically, the strategy aims at influencing (i) parental practices of Roma parents related to the education of their children; (ii) non-Roma parents’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge related to inclusive education and non-discrimination; and (iii) teachers’ capacities to create an inclusive learning environment. It is planned to achieve the abovementioned targets by empowering parents, teachers and children to identify and report discrimination at schools, providing data about the benefits of inclusive education for the community and media, strengthening the capacities of educators and journalists on inclusive education and supporting community stakeholders to take an active role in this process. Whenever possible, media is used as an instrument to influence public perceptions on Roma by promoting positive role models and by increasing the presence of Roma children and adults in routine daily programs rather than having specific programs for them.
May – Sept. 2016	Mary Ward Loreto Foundation	Ethics in Albanian education system	The aim of this study was to identify and analyze ethical conducts perceptions in today’s schools in all levels of education (kindergarten, elementary school, high school and university) in Albania from all frontline actors. These actors include 6 main groups: kindergarten educators, parents, pupils, teachers, students and professors. The first phase of the project is the development of a measure of unethical behaviors in Albanian Education System. The purpose of this phase of the study was to create a large, inclusive pool of exemplars of unethical behavior, so that together they reflect the domain of behaviors meeting our definition of unethical behaviors in Albanian Education System. The instruments used for the development of the project were qualitative and quantitative and include approximately 3000 questionnaires, 92 in-depth interviews and 3 focus groups. The study covers all 12 Albanian districts and provides quantitative and qualitative information regarding ethics in education system in a national level. Afterwards policy recommendation will be developed for each education level in order to address unethical behaviors.
Aug. 2014–Jan.2015	UNICEF Tirana	Social welfare for children in Albania public Expenditure review	The "Social Welfare for Children in Albania: Public Expenditure Review" project, led by UNICEF Tirana, focuses on evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of public spending on social welfare programs for children in Albania. The review analyzes current budget allocations, financial management, and the impact of social welfare policies on children's well-being. By examining the distribution of resources, the project aims to identify gaps and opportunities for improving the targeting, implementation, and sustainability of child-focused social welfare services. The findings will inform policy recommendations to enhance the impact of social welfare programs on vulnerable children and ensure better use of public funds.
August-December, 2014	UNICEF	Public Finances / Expenditures On Children Welfare In Albania	The aim was to compare distribution trends within a regional / local perspective, paying particular attention to territorial reform, which has been identified as one of the main priorities of the 2013-2017 government program and aims to improve the quality of local public services through increase their efficiency, as well as citizens' access to local public services.
March - April 2014	Mary Ward Loreto (MWL) Foundation	Pilot Study: Ethic And Corruption On The Albanian Education System	This project aimed to examine the extent of unethical behavior and corruption within Albania's education sector. This project focused on identifying the root causes of unethical practices, such as bribery, favoritism, and misallocation of resources, and assessing their impact on the quality of education and student outcomes. Through research, surveys, and engagement with key stakeholders, including educators, students, and policymakers, the project sought to raise awareness about the challenges posed by corruption and unethical behavior. The findings from the pilot study were used to develop recommendations for promoting ethical standards, improving transparency, and creating a more accountable education system in Albania.
2012	Ministry of Education / GoA	Evaluation Of The “National Social Inclusion Strategy”	The project, led by the Ministry of Education of Albania, aimed to assess the effectiveness and impact of the National Social Inclusion Strategy in promoting social inclusion for vulnerable and marginalized groups, such as children, youth, and people with disabilities. The project focused on evaluating the strategy's outcomes in areas like education, employment, social services, and access to public resources for disadvantaged communities. Through a review of strategic objectives, analysis of the implementation process, and feedback from key stakeholders, the evaluation identified challenges and provided recommendations for improving inclusivity, service delivery, and equal opportunities. The goal was to ensure the strategy is achieving its intended outcomes and to strengthen Albania's efforts in fostering social inclusion.
Jan. 2011–Oct. 2012	UNICEF Tirana	Thematic Study: How to Improve Responsiveness of Service Providers in Identifying, Reporting and Referring Cases of Violence against Children	The purpose of the present study was to identify the strengths and challenges of the systems and service providers in identifying, reporting and responding to violence against children in Albania. The study aimed to provide clear recommendations to improve relevant Albanian public services and the system of monitoring and complaints, and to illuminate the opportunities in on-going efforts to reform child protection systems that may serve to strengthen the system. In order to fulfill the goals of the study, three main research areas were explored: a) Identification, recording and reporting of cases of VAC; b) Referrals of cases of VAC and service trajectories; c) systemic mechanisms for action/change, including monitoring, evaluation and best practices.
May – June 2011	EIDHR	Project Evaluation: “Capacity and community building through women’s empowerment, youth leadership and children education”	Based on the project identified objectives and indicators, the evaluation report intended to assess the impacts to date of project implementation in three main directions: capacity building, awareness and community building, advocacy and lobbying, as well as mobilization; Ascertaining estimated results achieved in the course of project development. Overall, this evaluation report focuses on the description of the action and its performance level, effectiveness of the action, relevance and achievements. An assessment to date of the evaluation criteria, with an emphasis on relevance, effectiveness, compatibility issues, with a focus on impact level of project interventions in a twofold approach, both internal impact from the direct achievements at beneficiaries level, and external impact from the community perceptions perspective in the light of sustainability of the projects results and potential interventions/cooperation in the area.
2011	HEKS and EED	Evaluation Report of the “Professional and Integration Project for Street Children and Teenagers in Difficulties”	The purpose of this evaluation project is to provide an overview of the activities and the results of the “Professional Alternative” center. The evaluation process was centered on meeting with the most relevant beneficiaries, and tries to evaluate the role that the PA program had played in their life and activities. These identified target group include the current and former students, student’s families, as well as relevant stakeholders such as entrepreneurs and businessmen that have hired former students, local governance authorities (municipality), the employment office, regional education directorate, partner NGOs, the teachers and management staff of the PA itself, etc. The evaluation was done mostly through a questionnaire, but also by having focus group interviews where possible with specific individuals. It tries to single out the strong points of the program, as well as come up with some recommendations that could help the staff in their future endeavors. Building on past evaluation projects, there is a large focus on the issue of sustainability by trying to evaluate how the program can strengthen its role, relevance, accountability, and effectiveness in the future, and how it might deal with a possible shortage of donor funds in the future.
July – September 2011	GoA/ Ministry of Education and Science	Survey For Teachers Satisfaction At Work”	The project aimed to assess the job satisfaction levels of teachers across the country. This survey explored factors such as work conditions, professional development opportunities, compensation, and overall work environment. By gathering feedback directly from teachers, the survey seeked to identify areas for improvement and inform policies that can enhance the teaching profession, promote a more supportive work environment, and ultimately improve the quality of education in Albania.
September 2009 - January 2010	UNICEF	Consultancy to reporting on the implementation of social inclusion strategy vis a vis child rights (only for those policies that affect child’s rights	The project intended to support government to analyze from a child rights point of view the progress vis a vis the achievement of the targets of the strategy for Social Inclusion. The first objective of the project was to measure the progress of the Strategy for Social Inclusion and report, using the evidence based policy impact analysis performance indicators So as, to measure the impact of specific sectorial policies on the realization of child’s rights, using child welfare indicators, previously developed and shared with stakeholders. The second objective consisted in advocating for and provide inputs into the development of the National Plan of Action for Children for 20 10-2015, within the context of SAA/IPA criteria, harmonized with government NSDI. So as, to provide strategic directions towards the elaboration of the National Plan of Action for Children for the period 2010-2015, including the monitoring and evaluation mechanism as per the standards of SAA/EU Social Inclusion Joint Report.
July - October 2009	IOM	Conducting a survey to assess the links between informal employment and migration of young people in Albania	The overall goal of the Nationwide Survey on informal employment and migration of young people in Albania is to support the integration of various youth employment policy objectives through promotion of youth employment as a national priority. Main objective will address the problematic of disadvantaged youth from rural areas with targeted labor market measures aiming to identify emerging occupations in Kukës and Shkodra regions (prefectures) as a skill survey. The project will require the creation of a comprehensive baseline report of the existing social and economic conditions. The baseline report will then enable an impact assessment of youth, migration policies and informal employment. The main objectives of the survey were to: Identify the demographic, social and economic characteristics of the population and manpower according to different variables; Identify the occupational structure and economic activity of the employed persons, as well as their employment status; Identify the reasons behind the desire of the employed persons to search for a new or additional job; Measure the economic activity participation rates (the number of economically active population divided by the population of 15+ years old). Identify the different characteristics of the unemployed; Measure unemployment rates (the number of unemployed persons divided by the number of economically active population of 15+years old) and the discouraged workers according to the various characteristics of the unemployed, and the persons; and Identify the changes overtime that might take place regarding the above-mentioned variables.