Youth say no to weapons during OSCE Presence in Albania awareness campaign

From September to November 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania conducted an awareness campaign for youth on the risks and misuse of firearms, focused on gender-based violence. The outreach activities – in Tirana, Elbasan, Lezha and Shkodra – were organized in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior and Albanian State Police, and with the engagement of numerous actors from local communities such as the municipalities, civil society organizations, Local Safety Councils, students and teachers.

Youth and teachers played a central role in the campaign, leading the activities and serving as the voice of the community. Through discussions, artistic expressions and performances in public theatres in Elbasan, Shkodra and Lezha – attended by 550 students – they sparked powerful conversations about the risks of firearm misuse. These events not only raised awareness, but also fostered a shift in mindset, helping to challenge attitudes toward gun violence.

A highlight of the events was the participation of Big Basta, the rapper and composer of the campaign song “Leji armët” (Give up the weapons), who helped deliver key messages directly to the youth. Students also engaged with the development of a street installation memory wall against firearms.

Throughout the outreach activities, Head of the OSCE Presence Ambassador Michel Tarran emphasized the importance of community involvement in raising awareness about youth and gender-based violence. He stressed the value of partnerships with local actors such as civil society and Local Safety Councils to ensure the sustainability of these efforts.

The outreach activities were part the project “Assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons”, implemented by the OSCE Presence with the financial support of the European Union, Germany and France.