In early September 2025, I had the privilege of being in Shkodra with two groups of teachers for accredited trainings in Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD). On paper, it was just another professional training. In reality, it was much more—it was a milestone in a journey that started years ago as a small passion project of mine and has now become part of Albania’s education system.
From hobby to movement
When I first began introducing ESD in schools, it was simply something I believed in deeply. I wanted young people to have the tools to recognize risks, set boundaries, and respond to violence. At that time, it felt like a hobby—a small extracurricular effort that might or might not take root.
But something happened that none of us could ignore. Teachers started noticing changes in their students. They saw them standing taller, speaking up more, and showing confidence in situations where before they had been hesitant. And slowly, institutions began to recognize its potential.
I was fortunate to find two amazing partners in this endeavor: UN Women in Albania and the Swedish Embassy. Together, we began a journey that is still ongoing today.
In 2022, ESD was included in Albania’s National Youth Strategy. Today, it is part of extracurricular programs in more than 85 public schools across the country.
The September trainings
The two trainings in Shkodra were part of this growing story.
On 1–2 September, we held a refresher for 24 teachers already implementing ESD. It was a chance to revisit advanced facilitation skills, share challenges, and celebrate successes. Teachers who had once been skeptical of ESD stood and shared their stories.
“When I first started with ESD, I wasn’t sure how it would work with my students. But I quickly saw the difference—students became more confident, more aware, and more willing to speak up. It has been a valuable addition to our school life.” – Manjola Llanaj
“For me as a teacher, ESD has been equally empowering. It taught me new ways of communicating, of setting boundaries, and of understanding the importance of awareness. I feel that it changed something in me personally.” – Liri Shaqiri
From 2–4 September, 22 new teachers from 18 additional schools joined a three-day accredited Training of Trainers. They left ready to bring ESD to their own students and afterschool clubs for the very first time.
On 2 September, both groups came together. That session was particularly powerful—more like a community gathering than a training.
Looking forward
The trainings were not without challenges—short notice for some participants, venue changes, and the usual start-of-school-year rush. But in the end, what stood out was the engagement and determination of everyone involved. If ESD teaches us anything, it’s adaptability.
Now, the work continues. Today, ESD Albania follows up and mentors 85 schools across the country. We provide monthly online mentoring, facilitate exchanges between teachers and students, and support the accreditation process. Teachers are already applying what they learned, building safer and more inclusive environments in their schools.
But to keep this momentum alive, we need support. Resources are essential for mentoring sessions and for equipping ESD Clubs with the tools they need to thrive. This is not only an investment in a program—it is an investment in Albania’s youth, in safer schools, and in a culture of empowerment.
A lesson in change
Something that began as a simple passion, today has grown into a movement. Teachers often tell me that ESD feels “different from anything we have done before.” I believe this is why it has taken root—not only as a methodology but as a mindset shift.
Sometimes change in education doesn’t come from the top down. It starts small, from a place of care and conviction. With persistence, it grows. And eventually, it becomes too impactful to ignore.
That is what Empowerment Self-Defense has become in Albania—a way of changing the youth’s future, one classroom at a time.
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