Western Balkans Youth Forum 2025 started in Pristina
The future of the Western Balkans will be reflected in possibilities for young people to travel, move, work and build their lives in the region, and Western Balkans Youth Forum 2025, that is taking place from 16-19 September in Pristina, opened these days the space for dialogue and exchange of ideas on three critical and interconnected areas – migration, security, and economic growth.
Organized by Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) with the support of the Government of the United Kingdom within the framework of Berlin Process, the Youth Forum brought together more than 100 participants, including young people from the region, WB6 governments representatives, EU institutions, regional and international organizations and civil society representatives with an aim to strengthen the role of young people as co-creators of peaceful, stable, and prosperous societies in the Western Balkans.
Opening the Western Balkans Youth Forum on 16th of September, newly appointed RYCO Secretary General (SG), Vladimir Obradović, emphasized the important role of young people as a driving force of the region’s prosperity having in mind the critical moment where youth unemployment remains alarmingly high and brain drain tendencies still concerning. Thus, as he stated, Forum represents a space for real dialogue and action, turning discussions into concrete results.
“Forum is a space where youth shape the agenda and drive the conversation. Your key messages are clear: on migration you urge us to transform mobility from a challenge to opportunity; on security you call to be recognized as peacebuilders, leading the fight against disinformation and social division; and on economic growth you remind us that you need access to finance, to training, to decent jobs, to green and digital futures,” SG Obradović highlighted, marking them as strategic imperatives and guidelines for the stability, prosperity, and European future of the region.
In his welcoming remarks, Speaker of Assembly Dimal Basha stated that young generations should not grow in isolation from one another and inherit division, but foster connection and cooperation.
“We have to move fast. The world will not wait for us to catch up. We have extraordinary youth in our region, full of energy, talent and ideas. Our differences should not hold us back. On the contrary, we should use it to our advantages. If we embrace them, they can propel us forward into a better future,” said Basha. He added that in recognizing similarities, while celebrating our diversity, we will find the path to a stronger and more united Western Balkans, ready to join EU not just geographically, but especially in values and spirit.
Opening ceremony also featured opening remarks of H.E. Jonathan Hargreaves, British Ambassador to Pristina who stated, “We’re proud to be taking on this role, with a clear purpose: by bringing young people of the Western Balkans together to support stronger regional cooperation and tackle shared challenges, help unlock economic opportunities, and work together for a more secure and stable region,”
H.E. Jörn Rohde, German Ambassador to Pristina in his welcoming note highlighted “By empowering young people to engage in dialogue and collaboration, RYCO strengthens the social fabric of the Western Balkans. We will continue to stand by you as a partner, a supporter, and a friend.”
French Ambassador in Pristina, H.E. Olivier Guérot, in his remarks reflected on main topics of the Forum, especially the one related to security stating “I am looking forward to conclusions of this Youth Forum and the results that will be presented in the framework of the Berlin Process.”
Opening the Youth Forum 2025, RYCO Governing Board Youth Representative, Donika Zogu, said “When we speak about the Western Balkans today, we must also speak about our extraordinary potential, about the innovation, creativity, and energy that youth bring. Every young person in this hall carries within them the power to transform the narrative of our region, from a place of tensions to a space of cooperation and hope.”
First day of the Youth Forum continued with the panel on Youth as Regional Connectors in the Berlin Process Era, featuring newly appointed RYCO Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Kreshnik Loka, who emphasized that youth are not just connectors but strategic players in building a more peaceful and integrated region. Panel discussion also included FCDO, Advisor on the Western Balkans and Berlin Process for the UK, Mia Marzouk, German MFA, Head of Western Balkans Development, Niels Von Redecker, Deputy Head of the Council of Europe Office in Pristina, Tankut Soykan and Young European Ambassador Adrijana Nikitović, who sent the joint message on importance of continued support to young generation that builds bridges and foresters regional cooperation.
Youth Forum continues Wednesday 17th of September with series of debates and activities, and will last until Friday, 19th of September when on closing panel participants will present their proposals for policy action that will be further presented in high-level meetings within Berlin Process platform. During the Youth Forum, participants will also have the opportunity to join various cultural and sightseeing activities.
The Western Balkans Youth Forum has served as a structured platform for dialogue, peer-to-peer learning, and youth-led policy advocacy within the Berlin Process. Previous editions have resulted in the Regional Youth Agendas, the 2022 Berlin Declaration, and long-term partnerships between youth and regional and EU actors.