Thirty-nine participants from eighteen states, including youth from North Macedonia and Kosova, came together in August 2025 for the 7th cohort of OriginAL.
Their journey began in Prishtina, where team-building activities at the Innovation Centre Kosovo and a guided city tour set the tone for connection and discovery.
In Prekaz, participants stood in silence as they heard Vlora Jashari recount her family’s story of sacrifice. This moment grounded them in Kosova’s history and struggles for freedom. In Gjakovë, visits to the Rahovec vineyards and BONEVET offered insights into resilience, innovation, and opportunities for youth engagement.
Crossing into Albania, the group traveled through Shkodër, where they explored the Museum of Memory, a space dedicated to remembering those persecuted during the communist regime. In Gjirokastër, they walked through stone streets, discovering the birthplace of literature and art, while in Sarandë, the beauty of the Ionian coast gave them space for reflection and friendship.
Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offered a window into shared heritage stretching back centuries, while Tirana brought them face to face with history through visits to Bunk’Art, and Albanian Night – reminding them how identity has been shaped by both struggle and creativity.
The cohort’s journey ended with a visit to Krujë, standing at the museum of Skënderbeu, a symbol of leadership and resistance. Here, many participants expressed how this experience deepened their understanding of what it means to carry Albanian roots across borders.
Over the course of two weeks, the 7th cohort strengthened their bonds with their ancestral homeland and with each other. They shared stories, learned history not from books but from voices and places, and created friendships that will carry forward the mission of OriginAL: building identity, belonging, and unity among Albanians worldwide.
