The Western Balkans Youth Forum 2026 concluded in Budva after four days of dialogue, collaboration, and exchange among young people from across the region. Throughout the Forum, participants worked together to develop recommendations that will help shape discussions on regional cooperation and be presented at key Berlin Process events, including the Leaders’ Summit. The Forum
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Dear Applicants, We are pleased to announce that the evaluation process for the 7th Open Call “RYCOnnecting”, launched on December 31, 2025, has been successfully concluded. This call attracted a remarkable level of interest, receiving a total of 157 applications involving 258 partners, highlighting strong engagement and collaboration across the region. Following the Administrative and Eligibility Check, 145 applications advanced to the next
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Budva, Montenegro, 5 June 2026 — The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the European Youth Card Association (EYCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation and advancing youth-focused initiatives across the Western Balkans. The MoU establishes a framework for closer collaboration between the two organizations, with a shared commitment to promoting
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Budva, Montenegro – As part of the Youth Forum 2026, RYCO and the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans co-designed the panel “Youth Leading the Green Transition: Shaping a Sustainable and Stable Region,” bringing together regional voices to discuss how young people can move from environmental activism to meaningful policy influence. The panel highlighted that a
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A more stable, connected, and prosperous Western Balkans cannot be built without young people, mutual trust, and regional cooperation — this was the key message of the opening panel of the Western Balkans Youth Forum 2026, “From Paris to Budva: A Decade of Youth, Dialogue and Change.” Reflecting on the achievements of the past decade
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The Western Balkans Youth Forum 2026, jointly organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the Government of Montenegro under the Chairmanship of the Berlin Process, was officially opened today in Budva with a clear message: the future of the region belongs to a generation of young people ready to shape it through their
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Dear participants, Welcome to the Western Balkans Youth Forum 2026, taking place from 04 to 07 June 2026 at Hotel Avala in Budva, Montenegro, under the theme “From Dialogue to Delivery: Youth Shaping Regional Cooperation.” About the WB Youth Forum 2026 The WB Youth Forum brings together young people, decision-makers, partners, civil society representatives, and
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As one of the grantees supported through RYCO’s RYCOgnizing YPS program, funded by the German Development Cooperation, HERA is implementing the project “Youth Connect: Building Inclusive Participation Through Local Partnerships.” The project is carried out in partnership with the Youth Council of Macedonia and in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth,
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Tirana, 26 May 2026 – RYCO held the first meeting of its 3rd Advisory Board cohort, in Tirana, marking an important step in strengthening the organization’s advisory mechanisms and strategic dialogue with experts and partners across the region and beyond. The meeting brought together Advisory Board members to discuss RYCO’s structure, governance, programmatic work, and
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RYCO’s Local Branch Office in North Macedonia, together with UNFPA, UNDP and OSCE Mission, supported the implementation of a three-day capacity building workshop aimed at strengthening the capacities on the Youth, Peace and Security Ageda of the Youth Officers from local-level public institutions, as a joint initiative supported by the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography
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