PULSE Balkans, The Regional Youth Cooperation Office and Yunus Social Business Balkans Celebrate Fifth Anniversary of RISE Project in Tirana.
Tirana, Albania – On November 5, 2024, RISE (Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurs) marked a significant milestone by celebrating its fifth anniversary in Tirana, Albania. The event served as a platform for underlining the project’s achievements over the years and showcased the impact created by bringing together prominent stakeholders, inspiring young social entrepreneurs, diplomats, and entrepreneurial leaders from the Western Balkans.
The event commenced with remarks from distinguished speakers, demonstrating support and collaboration that underpins the success of RISE. Mr. Albert Hani, Secretary General of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), emphasized the pivotal role of RISE in fostering reconciliation within the Western Balkans. His sentiments were echoed by representatives from the French and German embassies, Mr. Remy Privat, cooperation attache at the French Embassy in Albania, and Mr. Jan Maibom, political expert, at the German foreign office, who reiterated their commitment to supporting youth-driven social entrepreneurship for building resilient communities. Mr. Gerond Ibrahimi, Director of Albania’s National Youth Agency, along with Ms. Chloé Lepage of PULSE Balkans, the organization coordinating the RISE Project, and Mr. Shkëlzen Marku from Yunus Social Business, highlighted the significance of RISE in nurturing the next generation of changemakers.
Mr. Albert Hani, Secretary General of RYCO
Mr. Rémy Privat, Cooperation Attache at the French Embassy in Albania
Mr. Shkelzen Marku, Director of Yunus Social Business Balkans
A comprehensive presentation showcased RISE’s remarkable achievements over the past five years. The project has played a transformative role in strengthening the region’s social entrepreneurship ecosystem, working closely with six local support structures to enhance their capacity. Through RISE’s program, young social entrepreneurs gain access to mentorship and tools, enabling them to create solutions for pressing social challenges. RISE alumni have made impactful contributions across diverse areas, including education, environmental sustainability, and community development, reflecting the project’s lasting influence on communities across the Western Balkans.
The highlight of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Kreshnik Loka, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Tirana. The panel featured young social entrepreneurs who are part of the RISE Journey and have successfully turned their visions into impactful social enterprises.
The panelists included:
- Gjyljana Bakalli, Almanart: Gjyljana’s social enterprise, Almanart, focuses on the promotion of local artists through its cultural platform.
- Ajvi Bajrami, Digispark: Ajvi discussed how Digispark offers digital training to youth in its community in Elbasan.
- Ornold Bazaj, Reality Escapers Albania: Ornold shared how responsible tourism support local communities in Vlora.
- Orven Bregu, Things Lab: Orven discussed his work with Things Lab, an innovation hub encouraging creativity and new skills to youth to solve their own challenges.
- Ina Kerciku, Personazhi je Ti: Ina highlighted her initiative to build literacy and creativity skills and a love for learning from an early age.
With five years of impactful work behind it, RISE continues to foster a network of socially conscious entrepreneurs, amplifying their voices and supporting their missions. Through this anniversary event, RISE reaffirmed its commitment to building more inclusive, resilient, and better societies, one entrepreneurial project at a time.