LEAD Albania

Shqip

The concept of the LEAD Albania program is derived from the White House Fellows Program in the United States. Its purpose is to provide gifted young Albanian professionals with first-hand experience in the process of governing Albania and a sense of personal involvement in the leadership of society through a one-year Fellowship placement attached to a top-ranking government position. Ten fellows are placed in the program’s first year and are spending the fellowship year attached to most senior positions within the Prime Ministry, Office of the President, Ministries, and Municipality of Tirana. Placements are made based on the fit with the Fellow’s interests and background. The Fellowship experience will be further supported by an educational component where Fellows learn about a series of topics that include, but are not limited to: European integration, public policy, decision making, foreign policy, security policy, leadership, and soft skills development.

It is widely recognized that investing in the capacity and growth of future leadership pays dividends far greater than the cost. Most Western nations have significant opportunities for potential leaders built into their educational systems and public institutions. Albania’s resources for leadership development are limited and the demand for educated, experienced innovative professionals and leaders is high, particularly in the public sector. The country has a demonstrated and growing need for talented and incentivized young leaders who can devise creative ways to tackle challenges. The LEAD Albania program is designed to address this need innovatively as it offers a long-term, hands-on experience combined with targeted training opportunities.

In addition to providing high quality training for gifted young professionals, the LEAD Albania program will have the added benefit of bringing their skills and talent into governmental institutions. The program envisions that Fellows will not only learn in their positions but that they will also contribute significantly to the productivity, efficiency and innovativeness of the host institutions.