EU4Schools restores hope in Albania

The #EU4Schools initiative, worth €75 million, was launched soon afterwards, bringing hope to pupils and teachers in the 11 most affected municipalities. Nora Kushti is a communication specialist with UNDP in Albania and says, “The demand for support was high, as schools and kindergartens were destroyed, leaving students and children without proper learning facilities. Some of these educational institutions were already in poor condition, and the earthquake only exacerbated the situation.”

During the reconstruction process UNDP has combined two key principles: #BuildBackBetter and #BuildBackTogether. “Building back better” means creating stronger structures which can resist earthquakes and natural disasters, meeting the highest international standards of quality and safety. All 63 education facilities, benefitting 24,000 pupils and teachers, will also be fully accessible for pupils with disabilities and will have dedicated spaces for medical care and psychological support.

Meanwhile, “Building back together” has offered a unique opportunity to engage beneficiaries in the reconstruction of their own education institutions and to tailor the design to their needs. There have been 58 consultation meetings and 16 other events organised so far which have brought together around 1,900 pupils, parents, local government representatives, and local institutions, promoting ownership and securing the sustainability of the investment.

So far, 38 schools have been completed so around 10,000 children are studying in modern facilities just like their peers in any European Union country. “The new schools are fantastic and boast ultra-modern facilities including gyms, state-of-the-art libraries, modern labs, energy-efficient cooling and heating systems, and full accessibility for children with disabilities, including elevators and emergency exits: these schools are truly top-notch,” says Nora.

The Transparency Portal is a unique aspect of this project. This offers real-time updates on the reconstruction progress and strengthens the EU4Schools open data and transparency commitment. The portal provides open and comprehensive access to the reconstruction process, fostering trust among beneficiaries and the public.

The project has also run the “I Love My School” public awareness campaign. Through this campaign, children come together to discuss topics related to their schools, including gender equality, environmental protection, climate action, and Albania’s EU accession path. It’s clear that the project has brought a sense of hope to the community, as the new and colourful schools provide a tangible investment in education. As Nora says, this is a “long-term social and human capital investment by the EU, which will yield enormous returns.”