About the Project 

The Youth-Focused Digital Academy aims to increase employability among young people aged 18-25 from Kosovo and Albania, with a particular focus on young women and disadvantaged communities with limited access to education and opportunities. 

Implemented by Kosovo Center for Digital Education (KCDE) with support from OSF – Western Balkans, the project equips youth with future-relevant digital skills through certified training in Software Testing, Cybersecurity, Digital Design, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

The Academy’s approach combines technical skill-building, digital inclusion, and social equity – empowering young people to access high-demand ICT jobs while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable digital economy. 

Local Impact 

The project directly targets 45 youth participants (aged 18-25) from Kosovo and Albania, training them for high-demand digital professions and helping to bridge the gap between education and employment. 

Each training module – from Software Testing and Cybersecurity to Digital Design and AI – has been designed to meet the current labour market needs, ensuring practical and employable outcomes. 

Beyond technical skills, the project promotes gender equality and inclusion, with a focus on young women and marginalized groups who face structural barriers to digital participation. This inclusive model supports national strategies such as Kosovo’s Employment Strategy 2024-2028 and Albania’s Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan 2023-2024. 

Regional Impact 

The Youth-Focused Digital Academy contributes to a broader Western Balkans digital transformation agenda by strengthening regional cooperation and creating a shared model for youth digital empowerment. The initiative builds bridges between Kosovo and Albania, facilitating cross-border learning, peer exchange, and joint employability initiatives in the ICT sector. 

By preparing young professionals with high-value, future-proof digital skills, the project helps align Western Balkans labour markets with European standards and supports EU priorities in equity, inclusion, and digital transformation. 

Ultimately, the Academy serves as a replicable model for regional youth-focused digital initiatives, paving the way for a more connected, skilled, and inclusive Western Balkans.