From June 16 to 21, Berane, a small town in northeastern Montenegro, became a meeting point for young changemakers from the Western Balkans. They came together for Youth in Action: SHAPE THE FUTURE 2025, a regional summer camp designed not just to connect youth, but to give them tools to lead, using sport, teamwork, and dialogue as the foundation.
Organized by GIZ, German Development Cooperation, the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the camp was the third of its kind, following earlier editions in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. But this time, the focus sharpened around the idea of Sport for Development, using physical activity not just for fun, but to break down barriers, build trust, and empower youth with leadership and life skills.
During the opening of the camp, representatives of the partner organizations welcomed participants with a clear message: this camp wasn’t just about activities, it was about shaping a better region, together.
Darko Stojanović, General Director of the Directorate for Youth and Cooperation with NGOs at Montenegro’s Ministry of Sports and Youth, highlighted the bigger picture: “This camp represents a concrete example of dedication to young people and to building a shared future in the region. Youth are the key to change and a bridge of cooperation across the region.”
That belief in youth as drivers of regional progress was emphasised by Dina Klingmann, Adviser for Sport for Development and Peace at GIZ:
“Sport has the power to connect people, overcome differences, and inspire positive change in society. This camp is a true example of unity and growth through play and cooperation.”
And for RYCO, which has helped lead this initiative across the region, the message was clear. “RYCO is proud to support this initiative that empowers youth to become agents of change,” said Bojana Lalatović, Program Coordinator at RYCO. “Through sport and dialogue, we create space for reconciliation and mutual understanding.”
Each day was packed, not only with games and team challenges, but with real conversations. Young people tackled topics that matter to their lives: cultural understanding, conflict resolution, communication, and how to take an idea from inspiration to action. The goal wasn’t just to talk about change, it was to plan it.
By the final day, participants had shaped concrete initiatives they’ll take back to their local communities. Whether it was an idea for a youth club, a cultural exchange, or a local sports event, each project had one thing in common, it was born out of connection and built on shared values.
Along with knowledge and skills, the participants left Berane wth something equally valuable, regional friendships and a sense of shared responsibility for the future of the region. Strengthening youth cooperation and mutual understanding remains a key goal of this initiative.
Participants reflected on their experiences with enthusiasm. Mirjana from Montenegro shared: “What I loved most about the summer camp was the creativity, diverse activities, and the positive energy that connected us all.”
Vuk from Bosnia and Herzegovina said: “This was the best experience I’ve had so far, filled with learning, fun, and friendships.”
Ron from Kosovo* added: “The best thing about the camp was definitely meeting amazing people from all over the region.”
Following the previous editions in North Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, this year’s camp in Berane once again highlighted the potential of young people to be drivers of peace, cooperation, and innovation.
As one participant put it, “The camp taught us that even in our differences, we can find common ground, and from there, build something truly meaningful.”
Through initiatives like this, RYCO and its partners continue to invest in a generation of youth ready to shape a better, more connected Western Balkans.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
