Young people in rural areas of Albania are mobilised to address environmental problems in their communities, using social networks and digital platforms to seek solutions from institutions.
According to an article published by international media medium Global Voices, an initiative in the municipality of Maliqi, in Korca County, has managed to collect 506 signatures in a petition requiring the cleanup of the Devol River and improved waste management.
River pollution and garbage collection along the coast are among the main concerns of local residents. The problem became especially evident after the November 2025 floods, when heavy rainfall and waste affected the blocking of water canals and the spread of water on agricultural land and populated areas.
The initiative is supported by the nongovernmental organisation KEZUS Centre, which during 2026 has trained 44 young people from the Maliqi municipality to use digital tools in documenting environmental problems and public awareness.
Young people have developed photos, videos and social networking materials, documenting pollution along the Devall River and in agricultural areas of Pojan and Lozhan villages. In all, 30 materials created during this initiative have been published on the internet to draw attention to the state of the environment, the Telegraph broadcast.
Through online petition, organisers demand that Maliqi City Hall take measures to clean up polluted areas and co-operate with citizens for preventing waste disposal. The initiative aims to increase public pressure and encourage institutions to react to a problem affecting the environment, agriculture and livelihood of residents.
KEZUS Centre Executive Director Dhorjela Cela has stressed the importance of including young people in decision-making processes and using technology to seek institutional accountability. Through this project, young people have gained experience in recording problems, organizing public campaigns, and conveying community requests to authorities.
The initiative in Maliq proves that civic engagement and the use of digital tools can help raise environmental issues in public attention. However, improving the situation will depend on concrete measures to be taken to clean up the Devall River and prevent further pollution./Telegraphy/
