Our Story
The OriginAL is inherently tied to Albanian origins, as its name suggests. It started as an idea aiming to allow young diaspora individuals to explore their Albanian heritage from diverse vantage points.
The OriginAL is a GERMIN and the Global Albanians Foundation (GAF) joint program. The program was inspired by Birthright Israel, Birthright Africa, Reconnect Hungary, and Birthright Armenia, among other similar initiatives worldwide; the program endeavors to offer a cost-free volunteer, educational, and cultural encounter to young Albanians in the diaspora (aged 18-24) in their countries of origin.
Throughout the 2022–2025 program, the achievements have been remarkable. With over 2,000 applications received, the strong interest clearly reflects the growing appeal and impact of the program. However, only about one in ten applicants could be accepted, underscoring the need to expand the program’s capacity and funding in the future. The extensive outreach across 25 countries highlights its truly global reach and diversity. To date, three dynamic cohorts—comprising 225 participants, with an additional 25 expected to join the 8th cohort—have taken part in the program. Moreover, its influence continues to grow, with a social media reach exceeding 2.0 million.
Our Mission
OriginAL’s mission is to build a program that brings thousands of Albanian youth on a free two-week trip to their homeland countries every year that will:
· Connect them to strengthen their sense of Albanian roots, identity, and belonging;
· Provide an immersive cultural and educational experience, and
· Build bridges for Albanian youth to network and collaborate
OriginAL will plant the seeds for its Alumni to stay connected and take on future leadership roles that promote and contribute to the development of their homeland and diaspora communities around the world.
Our Community
OriginAL will change the way that Albanian Diaspora Youth perceive their homeland countries by promoting its people and wonders in the most realistic way. We believe that one of the main obstacles in our path to development is the lack of direct communication and contact between each other. Therefore, by bringing the Diaspora Youth closer to their origins, OriginAL hopes to motivate them to continue to explore their Albanian identity and support for the homelands, as well as maintain long-lasting connections with the Albanians they meet on their trip. OriginAL will encourage participants to take active roles in their communities and to participate in follow-up activities worldwide.
