National Albanian American Council

NAAC advocates for Albanians and promotes peace and economic development for all in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy, promoting respect for human rights, and conducting educational and developmental programs.

By implementing the USAID-funded Hope Fellowship Program, NAAC aims to promote the development of women and youth, specifically, to increase the impact they can make in sustainably developing their communities. Hope Fellowships recruits and trains emerging leaders from Albania, Kosova, Macedonia and Montenegro, developing personal, participative and activist leadership skills in an inclusive learning environment. The fellowship experience is designed to enhance the competence and confidence of women and men leaders at this critical time for democracy-building in the Balkans.

As Kosovars create a new government and economy and the other program countries continue their transition and reforms, the inclusion of women in decision-making roles in government, politics, business, and civil society development requires urgent attention. The goals of the program include : Strengthening institutional partnerships with civil society by increasing public participation in governmental processes; and Strengthening in-country human capital, increasing inter-ethnic cooperation, and increasing regional stability and cross-border cooperation by sharing best practices on leadership, advocacy, youth, anti-corruption, and management and communications issues.