Lezhë, Albania · Established 2018 · 7+ years of continuous operation
Holding power to account in northern Albania — since day one.
[SQ] The only independent youth centre in Lezhë. We do civic education, investigative media, electoral oversight, and satirical journalism — for the north of Albania, with growing relevance across the Western Balkans.
- Projects completed since 2018
- 25+
- Mobilised for civic work in northern Albania
- € 498K +
- Electoral cycles observed and documented
- 3
- International donors and partners
- 10+
Why H.A.N.A.’s work matters in Lezhë.
Why this work matters in Lezhë.
Lezhë is a high-emigration, low-opportunity environment where youth civic participation is minimal and local institutions face little accountability. Brain drain removes the most educated young people. Political capture of civil society is common. Media is weak and often compromised.
H.A.N.A. was created to disrupt this cycle — not by waiting for change from above, but by building the conditions for democratic participation from the ground up.
This work is not welcomed by everyone: H.A.N.A. has been publicly labelled an 'enemy of education' by local authorities precisely because it holds them to account.
Trusted by leading international institutions working on democracy, governance, and youth participation.
- Albanian Center for Quality Journalism
- Anna Lindh Foundation
- EU Delegation
- Embassy of Netherlands
- European Endowment for Democracy
- Faktoje
- Forumi i Mendimit të Lirë
- German Embassy
- HET Actiefonds
- IDM Albania
- KRIIK
- Leviz Albania
- Lush Charity Pot
- Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg
- Qendra “Streha”
- Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO)
- SCPA
- SMART Balkans
- SeeCheck Network
- Swedish Embassy
- U.S Embassy in Tirana
A story from Lezhë
From a city with no space for youth — to leading a newsroom at 18.
When Kejvin Kola first walked into H.A.N.A. Centre, he was looking for something to do after school. The first time he appeared on camera, he needed three takes just to introduce himself.
Within two years, he was producing investigative media content, appearing regularly in youth-led news segments, and had joined the staff team.
He is 18 years old. He grew up in Lezhë. He had no prior media experience.
He is not an exception — he is what H.A.N.A. is designed to produce.
OUR INDEPENDENCE
No political ties. No business interests. Funded only by transparent international grants.
H.A.N.A. is fully independent from all political parties, government institutions, and private business interests. We are not affiliated with any political movement. Our work is funded exclusively by international institutional donors whose grants are publicly disclosed.
AUDIENCE PATHWAYS
Find your path with H.A.N.A.
Three doors into our work — choose the one that matches how you want to engage with civic life in Lezhë.
METHODOLOGY
How we work
A four-step process that turns public records into public accountability.
Document
We gather public records and field evidence.
Investigate
Journalists verify and cross-check sources.
Publish
Findings reach the public through media and the newsroom.
Press for change
We use the findings to demand institutional response.
What’s on
Events
Meet Our New Host for “Good Morning Lezhë – Season 2”
We are thrilled to introduce the host who will guide us through the much-anticipated second season of our series.
Transparency
Every grant, every line item, every report — published.
All institutional grants H.A.N.A. has received since 2018 are publicly disclosed on the Transparency page, alongside annual financial reports, project audits, and donor letters. We hold ourselves to the same standard we ask of the institutions we cover.