What if every citizen in Albania could contribute directly to improving public services with just a few clicks? Through the project “Digital Voices for Local Inclusive Democracy,” the association Young Intellectuals, Hope (IRSH) is helping residents of Shkodra, the fourth largest city in northern Albania, become active participants in local decision-making.
By monitoring commitments included in the Social Contract signed by the Mayor of Shkodra and engaging citizens through digital platforms, the project seeks to strengthen accountability and improve public urban transport — one of the main concerns that affects thousands of people every day throughout the city.
The Social Contract reflects priorities identified by citizens and outlines commitments that local authorities have pledged to address during the 2023–2027 mandate.
Civil society organizations play an important role in ensuring that these commitments do not remain merely promises on paper. Through monitoring, advocacy, and citizen engagement, organizations such as IRSH help create a stronger connection between local government and the community it serves.
Why public transport?
Among the priorities included in the Social Contract, IRSH selected public urban transport as one of the areas to monitor and advocate for. Public transport is much more than a means of moving from one place to another. It enables access to education, employment, healthcare, and social activities.
The Municipality of Shkodra comprises 11 administrative units and has a population of over 202,250 residents. Public transport is regarded not only as an essential social service that supports mobility and inclusive development for different groups of the population, but also as an important means of protecting the environment in a city renowned for its outstanding natural beauty.
For many citizens, especially students, elderly people, and vulnerable groups, public transport is an essential service that influences their daily quality of life.
At the same time, public transport remains a frequently discussed topic among residents. Citizens often raise questions about accessibility, functionality, routes, schedules, and overall service quality. Understanding these concerns is the first step toward identifying possible improvements.
Using digital participation to engage citizens
The main goal of the project is to strengthen inclusive civic participation through digital tools and promote greater accountability in local governance. To achieve this, IRSH launched an online advocacy campaign through social media platforms, encouraging citizens and public institutions to work together to improve public transport services.
One of the key activities of the project is an online survey designed to gather citizens’ opinions and perceptions regarding public urban transport in Shkodra. Through the survey, residents can share their experiences, identify challenges, and express their expectations for future improvements.
The survey is currently being disseminated through IRSH’s social media channels and community networks. Citizens are invited to participate and contribute their views, helping create a clearer picture of how public transport is perceived by those who use it every day.
The launch of the online survey represents one of the most significant moments of the project so far. Traditional forms of public consultation often reach only a limited number of people. Digital tools, however, create opportunities for broader participation by allowing citizens to engage at their convenience and from any location.
The survey aims to provide a platform where every voice matters. Whether someone uses public transport daily or only occasionally, their experience can contribute to a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the current system.
More importantly, the initiative encourages citizens to move beyond being passive recipients of public services and become active contributors to local development.
Building a foundation for evidence-based advocacy
As the project continues, IRSH expects to collect valuable information that will help identify key trends and concerns related to public transport services. Once the survey period is completed, the collected data will be analysed and used to develop evidence-based recommendations.
These findings will be shared with local stakeholders and public authorities as part of ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of public transport in Shkodra.
Rather than relying on assumptions, the project seeks to ensure that future discussions are informed by citizens’ actual experiences and priorities.
Although the project is still ongoing, it has already demonstrated the potential of digital participation as a tool for strengthening local democracy. By creating opportunities for citizens to express their views and contribute to policy discussions, the initiative promotes a culture of accountability and cooperation.
The expected outcomes extend beyond the public transport sector. The project also aims to encourage greater civic engagement, strengthen trust between citizens and local institutions, and demonstrate how digital tools can support more inclusive decision-making processes.
For IRSH, this experience reinforces an important lesson: Meaningful change begins when citizens are given an opportunity to participate. Through collective action, open dialogue, and digital engagement, local communities can play an active role in shaping the future of the services they depend on every day.
For more information, see our Facebook page.
