Albania is the poorest country in Europe, with over 30% of the population living below the poverty line. Over 17% official unemployment, although others estimate it may be as high as 30% in reality.

In 1990 Albania ended 44 years of xenophobic communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven difficult as governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, a dilapidated infrastructure, widespread gangsterism, and disruptive political opponents.

Fusion’s work in Albania began with just three small community festivals in 2005 in response to a ‘please come and help us’ call, which led to ongoing training and support so that the local team could reach out to their own community in their own heart language.

In the face of this we have a committed group of very special young people who want to see their country, and in fact the whole of the Balkans, transformed. They are Erion Dielli (coordinator), Desara Tytymce (Schools work and development), and three other native Albanian trainees (Besi, Lorena and Luciena). They are working with very little resource or support but have big dreams and the plans to fulfil them.

So far this year the team have run one Daytrip per month over the past three months, with the last one having 123 participants! Over 70 young people have indicated they want to change their priorities to work with the team to transform their communities.

Much of the regular work revolves around Day Trips and Talk ‘n’ Tucker small groups. Day trips are run each month, providing a way for increasing numbers of young people to connect with each other and the team in a positive, life changing way and to present them with the challenge to review their priorities.