RADICAL GREEN IN SHKODËR: YOUNG PEOPLE, ART AND BIODIVERSITY FOR MORE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
From 21 to 23 September 2026, the European project’s second transnational event brought together creative workshops, environmental protection and dialogue between communities. Focus Europe ETS supported the partnership in turning youth participation into practical action.
Reclaimed materials transformed into works of art, installations inspired by biodiversity and a mural created together with young people: these are some of the results of the three days of Radical Green in Shkodër, Albania. From 21 to 23 September 2026, the ARKA Youth Centre and the Shkodër Historical Museum hosted the project’s second transnational event, “Art for Earth: Youth Shaping Sustainable Cities Creatively”, organised by CODE Partners and focusing on the relationship between creativity, participation and environmental responsibility.
The event continued the work begun at the first meeting in Valletta, bringing together young people, artists, cultural organisations, institutional representatives and international delegations. At its heart was a shared objective: to involve younger generations in the green transition through experiences that enable them to put forward ideas, work together and take action in their own communities.
Radical Green is funded by the European Union under the CERV – Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, through the Networks of Towns strand. Coordinated by Valletta Local Council, the project involves a partnership of organisations from Malta, Italy, Albania, France and Belgium. Focus Europe ETS, which conceived and drafted the proposal, acts as the project Secretariat and coordinates communication and dissemination of the results.
From dialogue between territories to working together
The opening day at the ARKA Youth Centre connected the experiences gained in Valletta with the objectives of the Albanian meeting. Contributions from CODE Partners, local institutions, the coordinator and Focus Europe introduced the programme, while exchanges between the partners provided an opportunity to present initiatives and good practices on sustainability, art and youth participation. Discussions also addressed the Local Climate Action Groups, the local groups through which the project connects young people, institutions and cultural organisations.
The move from presentations to practical activities characterised the whole meeting: participants were more than recipients of information; they helped to create the artworks and develop environmental messages to share with their communities.
Reuse becomes art, nature becomes a creative space
The “From Waste to Art” workshop involved young people in working with plastic, glass, paper, metal and textiles, exploring how discarded materials can acquire a new purpose through artistic expression. The creations translated the themes of reuse and environmental protection into visual messages developed through group work.
With “Nature as a Creative Space”, attention shifted to the landscape: stones, branches, leaves, sand and other natural elements became materials for temporary artworks inspired by Shkodër’s ecosystems and biodiversity. Two different approaches, united by reflection on the relationship between what we use, what we discard and the environment around us.
The programme included a contribution from artist and entrepreneur Stela Tosca on sustainable art and a session led by digital artist Klodian Zhivani, focusing on the possibilities offered by digital art and augmented reality for communicating environmental challenges. The subsequent co-creation activity, “Our Radical Green Shkodër”, brought together local and international participants to develop ideas on biodiversity, recycling and sustainable cities, with discussion of possible applications in the partner territories.
An installation and a mural to tell the story of biodiversity
The final day made the connection between young people, art and local heritage particularly visible.
At the Shkodër Historical Museum, sculptor Petrit Bilali led the collective Land Art activity “Celebrating Shkodër’s Biodiversity”. Young people, including students from “Oso Kuka” secondary school, took part in designing and creating a temporary installation devoted to the city’s biodiversity and natural heritage. The experience, also linked to European Heritage Days, highlighted the principle of “leave no trace”, combining artistic creation with respect for the place hosting it.
At the ARKA Youth Centre, artist Diomen Borici worked with participants to create a mural on biodiversity and sustainability. The artwork brought the project’s messages into a space used daily by the youth community, complementing the temporary nature of Land Art with another form of collective expression.
Focus Europe’s contribution and dialogue between institutions
The participation of Focus Europe ETS accompanied the artistic activities with work to connect partners and territories. During the event, director Fabio Roccuzzo stressed the importance of involving younger generations in environmental and cultural responsibility.
The initiative also included a discussion between Focus Europe director Fabio Roccuzzo and Edmond Ndou, President of the Shkodër Regional Council. The dialogue addressed sustainable tourism, cultural and natural heritage, environmental protection and youth involvement, identifying areas of common interest for future cooperation and European project proposals.
The association’s contribution lies in this connection between local activities and international cooperation: supporting dialogue between communities and helping shared experiences develop into new project opportunities.
Photos, videos and results available in the project archive
The account of the event continues on the official Radical Green website, updated with a section dedicated to events. The Shkodër page brings together the activity report, photo gallery, video and Event Description Sheet, while keeping the materials from the first meeting in Valletta accessible.
Focus Europe thanks Arta Nikolli, Marjan Lukani and all the staff of CODE Partners and the ARKA Youth Centre for their organisation and hospitality, alongside the artists, institutions, partners and all participants. Particular thanks go to Paolo Barone for his valuable photography and video work, which enables the experiences to be documented and shared.
The project will continue with the next meeting in Corsica, at the Parc Naturel Régional de Corse, focusing on discovering environmental heritage and involving young people through activities in the local area and creative storytelling. The meeting is being prepared for November 2026; dates and the programme will be agreed with the host partner.
Discover the project, watch the video and consult the event materials on the page dedicated to Shkodër.
Some images from the event
Radical Green in Shkodër — Photograph: Paolo Barone — 1 Radical Green in Shkodër — Photograph: Paolo Barone — 2 Radical Green in Shkodër — Photograph: Paolo Barone — 3 Radical Green in Shkodër — Photograph: Paolo Barone — 4 Radical Green in Shkodër — Photograph: Paolo Barone — 5
Photographs: Paolo Barone.
Radical Green – Increasing citizens’ participation in the green transition through art performances and cultural initiatives. Project no. 101249579 – CERV Programme, Networks of Towns.
Comments