By Olta Shehu, Young European Ambassador
The “Beyond Stress: Empowering Minds” project took a beautiful journey through the Western Balkans, bringing together young people from different corners of Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo to talk about mental health, stress management, and self-care. It was supported by WeBalkans and organised by the Young European Ambassadors (YEA), and each event followed the same spirit, but with a personal touch in every city.
The journey began in Berat on 25 January, where we met a group of young participants eager to learn about mental well-being. Dr Enita Metaj, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, led the informative session, providing insights into how stress impacts our lives and sharing tips on how to manage it. From there, the event moved into a space of fun and creativity. We played ice-breaking games, making sure everyone felt comfortable and open. The interactive session, where participants created paintings for each other, was a true highlight. They didn’t just paint—they also asked questions and shared stories, using their art as a way to deepen their connections. The paintings were exchanged, forming a meaningful bond between the creators. As a final touch, we shared a meal together, providing a relaxed environment for everyone to bond.
The event was made possible with the generous support of Qendra Rinore Berat, who provided the venue, and the MindBlooming community, which helped promote the event through social media for the three events. I was also thrilled to involve Sara Kernuti, a 4th Generation Young European Ambassador, who made a great contribution by participating in the Berat event.
In Tetovo, on 1 March, the event was just as engaging, fun and meaningful. The session, led by Nebahate Ziberi-Imeri, a psychologist, explored stress management techniques in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The structure of the event followed the same pattern as in Berat, with both the informative session and later the interactive one. Given that the event coincided with the first day of Ramadan, we thoughtfully provided individual lunch bags instead of a group meal, ensuring that participants could enjoy their meals at their convenience.
The event was made possible by the support of Europe House Tetovo, and I invited my colleague Shpetim Ramadani, 2nd Generation Young European Ambassador, as the YEA facilitating the event.
The final event in Pristina, Kosovo, took place on 13 March 2025, at Europe House Kosovo. The event brought something equally special. Olti Shehu, a fifth-year medical student, led the session, sharing his passion for mental health and inspiring everyone to reflect on their own emotional well-being. After a fun series of icebreakers, we once again gathered for the interactive painting session.
It was an opportunity for the group to not just express their creativity but also to share their thoughts and dreams through the artwork they gifted to each other. It was beautiful to see how art could help foster such deep and genuine connections. I was pleased to have this time Eljesa Manxhuni, a 4th Generation Young European Ambassador (psychology student), who is also my mentee in the Twinning Mechanism, help facilitate the event.
And then, there was the “Letter to My Future Self” activity at the end of each of the three events—a moment for everyone to reflect and set their intentions. Each participant wrote a letter to themselves, expressing hopes and dreams for the future, and I promised to send these back to them in a year—a gift that would hopefully remind them of their growth.
Across all three events, the participants received small yet meaningful tokens—a package filled with notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and colourful stationery. Each item carried a motivational message, like “You can do this” and “Keep dreaming,” designed to inspire confidence and resilience long after the event was over.
As we wrapped up each event, the spirit of togetherness was celebrated in different ways. In Berat, we shared a delicious lunch, creating a comfortable space to connect further. In Tetovo, participants enjoyed their packed lunches in their own time, and in Pristina, we ended the session with a shared Iftar, bringing everyone together over food and reflection—an especially powerful way to nurture both the mind and soul.
This project wasn’t just about mental health discussions—it was about creating spaces for young people to connect, reflect, and grow. Whether it was through art or meaningful conversations, we built a community of support. Together, we empowered young minds to tackle stress, build resilience, and foster a deeper understanding of mental health.
Looking back, I’m beyond grateful for the way each event unfolded. Each city brought its own energy, and every participant added a unique layer to the experience. “Beyond Stress: Empowering Minds” was more than just a project—it was a journey of connection, healing, and growth. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
In Tetovo, on 1 March, the event was just as engaging, fun and meaningful. The session, led by Nebahate Ziberi-Imeri, a psychologist, explored stress management techniques in a relaxed and welcoming environment. The structure of the event followed the same pattern as in Berat, with both the informative session and later the interactive one. Given that the event coincided with the first day of Ramadan, we thoughtfully provided individual lunch bags instead of a group meal, ensuring that participants could enjoy their meals at their convenience.
The event was made possible by the support of Europe House Tetovo, and I invited my colleague Shpetim Ramadani, 2nd Generation Young European Ambassador, as the YEA facilitating the event.
The final event in Pristina, Kosovo, took place on 13 March 2025, at Europe House Kosovo. The event brought something equally special. Olti Shehu, a fifth-year medical student, led the session, sharing his passion for mental health and inspiring everyone to reflect on their own emotional well-being. After a fun series of icebreakers, we once again gathered for the interactive painting session.
It was an opportunity for the group to not just express their creativity but also to share their thoughts and dreams through the artwork they gifted to each other. It was beautiful to see how art could help foster such deep and genuine connections. I was pleased to have this time Eljesa Manxhuni, a 4th Generation Young European Ambassador (psychology student), who is also my mentee in the Twinning Mechanism, help facilitate the event.
And then, there was the “Letter to My Future Self” activity at the end of each of the three events—a moment for everyone to reflect and set their intentions. Each participant wrote a letter to themselves, expressing hopes and dreams for the future, and I promised to send these back to them in a year—a gift that would hopefully remind them of their growth.
Across all three events, the participants received small yet meaningful tokens—a package filled with notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and colourful stationery. Each item carried a motivational message, like “You can do this” and “Keep dreaming,” designed to inspire confidence and resilience long after the event was over.
As we wrapped up each event, the spirit of togetherness was celebrated in different ways. In Berat, we shared a delicious lunch, creating a comfortable space to connect further. In Tetovo, participants enjoyed their packed lunches in their own time, and in Pristina, we ended the session with a shared Iftar, bringing everyone together over food and reflection—an especially powerful way to nurture both the mind and soul.
This project wasn’t just about mental health discussions—it was about creating spaces for young people to connect, reflect, and grow. Whether it was through art or meaningful conversations, we built a community of support. Together, we empowered young minds to tackle stress, build resilience, and foster a deeper understanding of mental health.
Looking back, I’m beyond grateful for the way each event unfolded. Each city brought its own energy, and every participant added a unique layer to the experience. “Beyond Stress: Empowering Minds” was more than just a project—it was a journey of connection, healing, and growth. Thank you to everyone who made it possible.
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