Scouting in Albania joins as the 176th Member Organization of World Scouting
World Scouting is pleased to welcome Scouts of Albania as its 176th Member Organization.
Scouting in Albania has a rich history that dates back to the 1920s. Albania was a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement from 1922 until the National Scout Organization dissolved in 1939 due to political events on the eve of World War II. Scouting was subsequently banned, but it reemerged in 1991 after the collapse of communism in the country Scouting reemerged and went through a period of transition for several decades.
In 2019, the European Scout Region began to support the development of Scouting in Albania with a strategic and sustainable approach to growth leading to a unified, co-educational, multi-ethnic and inter-religious movement in the country, and putting the organisation on a path towards full membership status.
The growth and development of Scouting in Albania benefited from the support of two valuable partners, Alwaleed Philanthropies and Erasmus+, starting in 2021, to develop Scouting in the region of the Western Balkans. The project aims to engage young people in quality non-formal education activities promoting active citizenship, particularly among young people with fewer opportunities, including minority communities. The support builds on past experiences to ensure robust local grassroots Scouting and good governance for the organisation that meets the quality standards of Scouting’s Global Support Assessment Tool.
“The support provided to the National Scout Organizations has significantly strengthened their organisational capacity and broadened their reach across various communities in Albania. The progress achieved so far is promising, and we are committed to further supporting their growth and development,” said Matthias Gerth, Chairperson of the European Scout Committee.
Currently, Scouting in Albania involves 390 children, 160 adults and 49 trained Scout leaders spread across the country. In addition to the capital, Tirana, Scouts are active in regions such as Berat, Diber, Elbasan, Fierit, Kukesit, and Shkoder.
Scouting in Albania is committed to expanding its reach, leveraging the potential of more than 700,000 young people between the ages of 5 and 24 who live in the country. By utilising the Scout Method, they aim to provide young Albanians with high-quality non-formal education experiences, while fostering personal development and strengthening communities.
Looking ahead, World Scouting remains committed to supporting the growth of Scouting in Albania, ensuring that more young people across diverse areas and communities have the opportunity to experience the benefits of Scouting.
