Young Leaders Program - First Edition (Recap)
EVENT
ERDEC launched the first “Young Leaders Program” in the scenic Rugova region of Peja on 28-29 November 2020. The program brought together 20 motivated young participants, from across Kosovo, equipping them with essential skills in community planning and modern leadership through interactive workshops, teamwork, and network-building activities.
MCW Global, through its global work and research, has found that cultivating leadership skills among youth and supporting them in clearly defining the vision and mission of their goals are the most impactful elements in empowering young people to address socio-economic challenges within their communities.
As part of our mission to empower youth and strengthen local communities, on 28 – 29 November 2020, ERDEC launched the first “Young Leaders Program” in the scenic Rugova region of Peja. This pioneering event, supported by Kosovo’s Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, brought together 20 aspiring young leaders from across Kosovo to participate in a two-day immersive training program.
Participants have engaged in lectures, workshops and discussions around modern leadership and how to make a difference in their communities. The program has provided a platform for participants to engage together through sharing invaluable experiences and new ideas, on how to overcome the challenges faced by local communities around Kosovo. The program was comprised of two modules: Vision, Mission and Planning on Day 1 and Modern Leadership on Day 2.
Day 1: Vision, Mission, and Planning Module
The initial session focused on essential elements of strategic planning for community impact. Participants worked with trainers to identify pressing issues in their communities and developed actionable plans to address them.
Through a combination of theory, interactive workshops, and team presentations, participants explored key concepts in planning, including setting clear vision and mission statements, identifying funding sources, and structuring effective action plans. The goal was to empower each participant to recognize their potential in shaping positive change in their communities. This was done methodically through teaching participants how to define encountered issues clearly in a vision statement and then unite people around the common vision and work together synergistically towards betterment of the societies we live in.
Day 2: Modern Leadership Module
Day two emphasized the traits and skills needed to lead effectively in today’s dynamic environment. Participants examined the characteristics of strong leadership and the importance of building a diverse team. Through hands-on workshops and group activities, they practiced debating, campaign-building, and assigning roles within teams, learning to lead by example and to value collaboration. The module underscored the power of unity and the role of young leaders in fostering teamwork to address community challenges.
Socializing and Network-Building Activities
Between training sessions, ERDEC organized social activities to encourage participants to form connections that enable a future network of young leaders in Kosovo. These interactions underscored the event’s mission to build a collaborative network of motivated young leaders.
With strict adherence to COVID-19 safety guidelines set by Kosovo’s National Institute of Public Health, the event accommodated 20 participants aged 16-24. ERDEC extends its sincere thanks to the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports for their invaluable support, and to the dedicated young leaders who contributed to this inspiring program launch.