Junior Achievement® (JA) is a program that fosters work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and uses experiential learning to inspire students to reach their potential. The JA curriculum is delivered by community volunteers who share their personal experiences with students, transforming the key concepts of lessons into messages which empower students to believe in themselves, take initiative and build an entrepreneurial mind-set. Junior Achievement® Albania programs are offered as elective courses to 11th and 12th graders in high schools throughout Albania. Participating students learn about the 21st century global marketplace through: Business Ethics, Success Skills, Student Company, Be Entrepreneurial and Leader for a Day.
Junior Achievement High School
Junior Achievement High School
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12.20.2022
JAA modules in financial and entrepreneurial education will soon be implemented in secondary vocational education in Albania
Following the 10-year contribution to financial and entrepreneurial education of Albanian youth, through the implementation of Junior Achievement of Albania modules in pre-university education, AADF signed today the Cooperation Agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Economy, a document that creates new opportunities for the implementation of these elements in secondary vocational education in Albania.
The agreement was signed on the premises of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, by the Minister Mrs. Delina Ibrahimi, and AADF Co-CEOs Mr. Martin Mata and Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli, in the presence of the executive director of Junior Achievement of Albania, Mrs. Blerina Guga and former beneficiary students of the JAA programs whom today manage their own businesses and startups, which had their beginnings in the “JAA Student Company” program.
Guided by the common goal, to promote financial education and entrepreneurship in Albanian schools, this agreement comes as clear evidence of the steps taken to implement the strategic priorities of the European Union for education and professional training, a priority area for cooperation within the European Education Area 2021-2030.
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01.09.2018
JA Core Curricula in High Schools
As part of Junior Achievement implementation framework in Albania, Mr. Martin Mata Co-CEO of Albanian-American Development Foundation and Mrs. Lindita Nikolla, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on continuation of JA program as high school core curricula. Memorandum promotes entrepreneurship education for high school students emphasizing the importance of practical and project based learning. These modules, didactic toolkits, teacher training, business community engagement and organisation of activities in local and national level will feed student’s competence on entrepreneurship, enhance financial literacy and market knowledge and will contribute to closing the gap between education and the labor market. Junior Achievement program in Albania is in its sixth year of implementation as a strategic investment of Albanian-American Development Foundation and an institutional support of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.
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11.30.2017
JA Europe Annual Conference 2017
This year, Junior Achievement Europe Annual General Meeting, took place on 29-30 November, in Sofia, Bulgaria. Mr. Martin Mata was invited as Chairman of the Board JA Albania together with Ms. Suela Bala, CEO of JA Albania. During the meeting, Mr. Mata held a presentation on the role and the contribution of the AADF to JA Albania, while this case was presented to all the JA countries worldwide.
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04.06.2017
Leader for a Day 2017
“Leader for a Day” is an initiative of JA and aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders.
The closing ceremony of this event was organized on April 4th, 2017, which remarked the 5th year of this edition.
Until today, JA Albania program is implemented in 642 secondary schools, being taught by over 740 teachers and reaching 43,590 Albanian students.
The ceremony was opened by Ms. Suela Bala, CEO of JA, welcomed by Mr. Martin Mata, AADF Co-CEOs and Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement, followed by Mr. Ryan J. Roberts, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Albania and concluding from a student representing the JA Alumni.
Mr. Ketan Makwana, invited as special keynote speaker, is known as an advisor to UK Government on youth and enterprise policies, works with International Governments & Ministries on Enterprise Eco-System Development.
During his speech, he highlighted that “There are no bad ideas just a poor execution. While growth may seem invisible at first, it is the continuous nurturing of the youth mindset that will bring innovation in the future.”
Junior Achievement (JA) of Albania is a program implemented in high schools (general and vocational) sponsored by the AADF.
“Leader for a Day”
45 new high school graduates experienced a unique day by attending a typical day of work with executives, and dignitaries in the public sector as well as with prominent representatives of the business community in Albania. Over forty-five institutions in the public and private sector participated, 38 of which are strong businesses operating in Albania. Throughout the entire day, students had the opportunity to shadow the executives of the respective companies where they learned more about their roles and overall responsibilities that each leader executes on a day to day function. The shadowing process is crucial in the development and cultivation of the youth as it allows visibility and inspiration to leadership.
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03.31.2017
Regional Innovation Camp, Tirana
Regional Innovation Camp, a tradition of Junior Achievement Albania, turned into a nationwide competition and incubator ideas, which defies the youth of Junior Achievement network with the real problems.
Mr. Martin Mata, AADF Co-CEO and Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement, welcomed the activity, highlighting the importance of the Camp which stimulates, motivates and encourages creativity in young people so that they can become responsible citizens and be ready to respond to future challenges.
This program is implemented in secondary schools (general and vocational) and it is an investment of the AADF.
The Executive Director of Junior Achievement, Ms. Suela Bala thanked the guests and informed them about this activity, organized in Tirana and financed by Albanian Association of Banks & Alpha Bank.
As every year, student ideas are evaluated by a panel of jury members from the business community, who evaluate students’ creativity, innovativeness of the idea, impact and whether the idea is implementable, and teamwork. -
11.03.2016
Regional Innovation Camp Pogradec
On November 3, 2016, ran in Pogradec the first edition for the 2016-2017 academic year of Regional Innovation Camp with the participation of 30 high school and vocational school students of Elbasan, Peqin, Librazhd, Pogradec, Korçë, Devoll, Kolonjë.
Students were grouped into 5 teams with 6 members each. The proposed challenge was: “How to increase the business clientele by improving marketing techniques through the use of mobile technology?”
All students worked throughout the day, overcoming all the challenges of a working day: cooperating in a group where members did not know each other, finding and proposing the best solution, conceiving a simple business plan in the format of a concept paper, etc.
The winners (NearMe Team) proposed a mobile application that connects businesses with clients, giving them suggestions and recommendations by identifying their preferences.
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09.29.2016
JA Alumni, Pathways to Employment- Internship Startup Edition, a successful experience
Tirana, Sept. 29th 2016- Junior Achievement Albania lunched its new initiative: “JA Alumni, Pathways to Employment- Internship Startup Edition, a successful experience” which was welcomed by Mr. Michael Granoff, Chief of AADF Board, representatives from Ministry of Education and Sports, partners from business community in Albania and representatives from Junior Achievement Alumni Network.
This initiative is initially piloted with Intesa San Paolo Bank and aims to quip and prepare university students and recently graduates from primarily (but not limited to) JA Alumni Network for the job market in Albania, through a structured Internship program in partnership with business community and different institutions operating in Albanian market.
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03.23.2016
Leader for a Day 2016
Junior Achievement (JA) of Albania is a program implemented in high schools (general and vocational) sponsored by the AADF. “Leader for a Day” is an initiative of JA and aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders. Agna Group and Intesa San Paolo Bank sponsored the “Leader for a Day” ceremony for the fourth year in a row. Stakeholders of JA also include the Ministry of Education and Sports and Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth.
Mr. Martin Mata, co-CEO AADF and Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement, delivered an opening speech by thanking all participants and expressing the commitment of AADF to support JA for the sustainable development of the country. JA Albania is implemented in 170 secondary schools, being taught by over 200 teachers and reaching 12,000 Albanian students.
The ceremony was opened by Ms. Suela Bala, CEO of JA and Deputy Minister Ms. Nora Malaj, Deputy Minister, Ms. Adela Karapicim, the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj and representatives of Agna Group. “Leader for a Day” Forty-five new high school graduates experienced a unique day by attending a typical day of work with executives, and dignitaries in the public sector as well as with prominent representatives of the business community in Albania. Over forty-five institutions in the public and private sector participated, 35 of which are strong businesses operating in Albania. Students accompanied the executives and dignitaries to learn more about the roles, functions, and responsibilities of a leader. Students were engaged in various working activities by the host and were given the opportunity to experience the commitments of being a leader and a decision-maker.
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02.19.2016
JA Regional Innovation Camp Fier
Mr. Martin Mata, AADF Co-CEO and Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement, was invited to introduce the “Regional Innovation Camp Fier” initiative of Junior Achievement. This program is implemented in secondary schools (general and vocational) and is sponsored by the AADF.
The Executive Director of Junior Achievement, Ms. Suela Bala thanked the guests and Bankers Petroleum for their financial support, and informed the participants about the initiative. The youth camp stimulates, motivates and encourages creativity in young people so that they can become responsible citizens and be ready to respond to challenges which help increase social welfare.
Student ideas are evaluated by a panel of jury members from the business community, who evaluate students’ creativity, innovativeness of the idea, teamwork, impact and whether the idea is implementable.
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11.05.2015
JA Regional Innovation Camp
Junior Achievement of Albania organized another Regional Innovation Camp on November 5 with financial support from Tirana International Airport and in-kind support from AGNA Group. 30 participating students of Grade 11 represented 28 schools from central Albania. In the format of an intensive full-day competition, the Camp activities encouraged the youth to develop innovative ideas to respond to a business challenge that the airport management presented. Under guidance and advice of mentors from the business community, students worked in groups and presented their propositions as business solution concepts. A jury consisting of three business representatives evaluated the propositions. More information is available on the website of Junior Achievement of Albania.