In the coastal town of Lezhë, two young individuals have transformed their lives through skills training and employment opportunities supported by the Joint SDG Fund. Their journeys highlight how targeted programmes can help young people transition from uncertainty to stable careers.
Vera, a 23-year-old mother, once struggled to find a pathway into the workforce while balancing family responsibilities. With limited opportunities, her ambitions were put on hold. Today, she feels independent and secure, having built a profession that allows her to support her child and plan for the future.
Similarly, 21-year-old Klodjan had been trapped in a cycle of informal and unstable jobs that affected his confidence and direction. Now, he has found purpose and stability, gaining both professional skills and a renewed sense of self-worth.
Both were classified as NEETs—young people not in employment, education, or training—a growing challenge across Albania. Their turning point came through the Lifelong Empowerment and Protection in Albania (LEAP) programme, funded by the Joint SDG Fund and implemented by United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, and the International Labour Organization.
The programme introduced a Training Voucher system that removed financial barriers and enabled participants to enroll in practical, six-month courses. Vera and Klodjan received hands-on training through Marin Barleti University, in collaboration with the National Agency for Employment and Skills and the Municipality of Lezhë. The training focused on Albania’s growing tourism sector, equipping them with skills in front office management, guest relations, and workplace readiness.
Following the training, both secured employment at Rafaelo Resort. Vera now works as a buffet attendant, gaining financial stability and confidence, while Klodjan serves at the front desk, interacting with international guests and representing his country with pride.
Their success reflects a broader national impact. The LEAP programme has supported 525 NEET youth and vulnerable individuals in developing skills, with 357 transitioning into employment. It has also trained hundreds of at-risk adolescents in digital, financial, and soft skills, supported households with integrated services, and created new pathways for rural women caregivers.
Beyond youth employment, LEAP is addressing demographic challenges such as Albania’s ageing population by promoting long-term care services, which are generating additional job opportunities, particularly for women.
What began in Lezhë is now expanding across the country, with the programme’s integrated approach—linking social protection, skills training, and employment—being incorporated into Albania’s national systems. The stories of Vera and Klodjan demonstrate how access to the right opportunities can turn potential into profession, offering not just jobs, but long-term hope and stability.
