The visit of Ms. Sabban was the opportunity to officially launch the Regional Employment Fund of Shkodra in the presence of Gjovalin Kolomba, President of the Shkodra Regional Council. This fund is the first financial instrument in Albania enabling a regional administration to improve youth employment at the regional level: « We know that employment is the first social integrator. The effort to create this fund is really crucial since almost 46% of Albanian citizens are under 25 years old. AER has always valued entrepreneurship and youth participation in European affairs, particularly through its mobility program Eurodyssey and Youth Regional Network (YRN)” said Michèle Sabban.

 Ms. Sabban stressed in the presence of all Albanian regional Presidents that AER would  provide support and expertise for the future initiatives to give young people the place they deserve on the labour market. 11 out of 12 Albanian regions are currently members of AER: Berat, Dibër, Durrës, Elbasan, Gjirokastër, Korçë, Kukës, Lezhë, Shkodër, Tiranë and Vlore. “The establishment of this fund may provide a compelling argument in favour of the creation of a permanent fund for employment and social issues – like the EU structural or social funds that exist in many countries around the world”, she concluded.

 Tomorrow the AER President will meet the President of the Republic of Albania, Bamir Topi. Together, they will discuss different regional models adopted in the AER member regions, as Albania is currently debating and reflecting about decentralisation. On this occasion Ms. Sabban will present to Mr. Topi the AER 2010 Regionalism Report.