Young people are changing the Western Balkans

The year 2021 was very successful for the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). We have taken all the necessary measures and activities, within our competences, with the aim of keeping young people in the focus of interest of our authorities. One of the most important activities was certainly our participation in high-level initiatives and meetings, such as the Berlin Process, where the interests of young people are represented.

The key to success throughout the Western Balkans is respect, trust and cooperation. A different Western Balkans is possible - a region where young people work, stay, progress and create a better future. We all decide whether institutions, authorities, schools, civil society or the media will respond to this challenge together with young people. It is up to us to create a better reality.

Albert Hani, Secretary General of RYCO, said: "Our young people have a fundamental role to play in building sustainable, peaceful societies in the Western Balkans and have much in common, and their hopes and values ​​across this region are extremely well aligned."

When we talk about politics related to young people, it is impossible to develop that policy without the participation of young people. It is necessary to consult young people and offer them equal chances at the negotiating table during the discussions that are held on determining the policy towards young people.

Albert Hani added: "Young people are the main bearers of change, not only in the processes of reconciliation and cooperation of young people, but in all aspects of our lives. We need to strengthen activities aimed at young people and give them more space. This is not a task that should be carried out exclusively by RYCO, but also by authorities, educational institutions, the media and civil society. Only if we enable young people to progress in the right way will we see the results of their enormous potential."

During 2021, RYCO supported 12 regional projects for young people with 330.000 Euros. Twelve social entrepreneurship projects were also supported through the RISE project, within which a new cycle of RYCO cooperation with almost 130 young social entrepreneurs was started.

Within the framework of the initiated exchange project at the school level, which includes a large number of school institutions, 30 will be selected, out of the almost 140 school proposals that have applied, in order to provide them with support in the coming days.

In addition to these submitted proposals that will be supported during the exchange process, more than 200 volunteers had the opportunity to participate in various festivals organized as part of the new regional volunteer exchange program. A significant result achieved in this way is reflected in the fact that all participants gained experience and knowledge, and made new friends traveling around the region, which is the basic intention on which all RYCO's activities and goals are based.

An activity that will certainly be a strong support in developing new connections between young people in the Western Balkans is the digital platform for young people "Hajde.media". This platform was officially launched on December 8, 2021, during the regional ministerial meeting on the topic of youth and education, and in cooperation with 12 journalism faculties of WB6 countries. By sharing their own experiences, young people will gain useful knowledge and information about the professional opportunities offered to them and about events in the region.

As a result of the participation of 500 people, which started with consultations with 24 local youth representatives and 58 interviews that were conducted with partners, main actors, youth organizations, educational institutions and young politicians, as well as 6 focus groups that included the most vulnerable categories, then based on regional consultations with student school bodies, youth umbrella organizations and representatives of the business community - a new strategy for the period from 2022 to 2024 was drawn up.

At the end of this comprehensive consultation process, a contribution to the finalization of this strategy, which will be implemented over the next two years, was also given through the holding of the final Strategic Forum with key partners.