The youth of the Western Balkans are ready to lead cooperation processes and set an example for politicians in the region on how to build better relations, it was announced at the Western Balkans Youth Forum held in Budva.
The forum, organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) in cooperation with the Government of Montenegro, concluded today after four days of discussions, exchange of ideas and joint work by young people from the region on recommendations that will be presented to decision-makers and at the Leaders' Summit within the Berlin Process.
RYCO Secretary General Vladimir Obradović pointed out that it was precisely the conversations and cooperation among young people that showed how much potential the region has for a different future.
He said that it was a pleasure to exchange experiences with more than 120 young people and to see that in conversations they often have better communication than the institutions of the regional government system.
"Something that our governments need to do in the future, and which would be my recommendation, as well as the recommendation of young people, is for institutions and young people to work together, hand in hand, to build a better and more prosperous future for young people in the Western Balkans," said Obradović.
Forum participant Isa Zuhrić from Bosnia and Herzegovina said that the Forum further strengthened his faith in the potential of young people in the region.
He said that after seeing the potential of the young participants, he was filled with optimism and belief that through joint work and cooperation it is possible to contribute to a more prosperous future for the Balkans.
"But most of all, young people are ready to lead and young people are ready to say what we need, how to cooperate and through the examples of cooperation that we have with each other as young people, we can be an example to politicians in the region on how to cooperate, because we can cooperate and we should cooperate," said Zuhrić.
Forum participant from North Macedonia, Zorana Antovska, said that it was especially meaningful to her to have the opportunity to meet young people from the region and exchange experiences with them.
"The main thing we have all learned is that politicians in this region should not only work for young people, but also work with them. We are partners, not those standing on the other side. It is important that we feel like part of the team," said Antovska.
As announced by RYCO, on the last day of the Forum, young people presented recommendations generated during group work, focused on three key areas: a green and sustainable region, peace, security and inclusive societies, as well as skills, opportunities and innovation.
Within the recommendations for the area of peace, security and inclusive societies, young people called for the establishment of a regional framework for youth, peace and security in the Western Balkans, the strengthening of democratic institutions, greater involvement of young people in decision-making processes, as well as the introduction of civic and peace education, media literacy and critical thinking into the education systems of the region.
"Special emphasis is placed on supporting mental health programs, combating disinformation and hate speech, strengthening independent media, regional youth exchanges, and creating a safer and more inclusive society for women, girls, and marginalized groups," the statement said.
RYCO said that, when it comes to the area of skills, opportunities and innovation, participants highlighted the need for greater financial support for innovation, young entrepreneurs and researchers through European programs and regional policies.
"The need to create programs that would enable young people educated abroad to return to the region through grants, support for relocation, launching startups, and strengthening professional opportunities in local communities was particularly emphasized," RYCO said.
In recommendations related to a green and sustainable region, young people called for stronger investments in sustainable development, more available funds for green initiatives, and greater integration of environmental and sustainability topics into formal education programs.
RYCO said that during the previous days of the Forum, numerous panel discussions and interactive sessions were held dedicated to regional cooperation, youth mobility, skills development, peace and security, green transition, and meaningful inclusion of youth in decision-making processes.
The Western Balkans Youth Forum 2026 opened on June 4 in Budva under the slogan "From Dialogue to Results: Youth Shape Regional Cooperation", with the message that young people must play an active role in shaping the future of the region.
The event brought together more than 100 young people from the region, as well as representatives of governments, regional and international organizations, the civil sector and the diplomatic community, and was supported by the Open Society Foundations, the Municipality of Budva and the Badgers company.
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