Kotor – On February 6th, 2026, a high-level visit was held to one of the awarded Superschools programs, implemented as part of the second cycle of this regional initiative, connecting secondary schools from Kotor and Tirana. The event brought together representatives of the European Union, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Ministry of Sports and Youth of Montenegro, and RYCO. This visit was an opportunity to showcase the ongoing student exchange between these schools and highlight the importance of engaging the students in intercultural dialogue while making meaningful and lasting connections between them.
During the visit, students from Asim Vokshi school from Tirana stayed in Kotor, where they participated in educational programs and workshops to further strengthen their collaboration and acquire new knowledge. Officials attended a workshop titled “Tradition-uncovered” which was facilitated by the teachers’ coordinators. The aim of this workshop was to deconstruct gender stereotypes through motifs from folk art and tradition of Montenegro and Albania, which was followed by a short discussion about students’ experiences from participation in the Supershools project. Students also visited Perast museum, where they had a peer-to-peer session about the local traditions and cultural heritage.
Riccardo Serri, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro:
This is one of the projects that is very close to our heart because it is about getting young people together and enabling them to get to know each other and talk about many common issues. It is incredible to have this opportunity, especially considering that just a few decades ago Albania and Yugoslavia were distant due to the historical circumstances. Now, both Montenegro and Albania have come very far in the EU integration process and have torn down the walls that kept their societies apart. Young generation is very lucky to be able to get together so easily and to one day be under the same roof of the European Union.
Ralf Reusch, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Montenegro:
The title of this project “Shared ground – Untold stories” implies new discoveries and joint adventures while also emphasizing that young people have a common starting point and a place to come together and exchange experiences. This perfectly reflects what Superschools program is all about.
Darko Stojanović, Director of the Directorate for Youth at the Ministry of Sports and Youth:
Superschools is not merely a program – it is an ethical practice which allows young people to learn that identity is not something we should defend against each other but something we refine with others. When students from different cities, countries and cultures come together they do not loose themselves – they discover themselves more fully.
Edin Koljenović, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro:
We want to enable young people to stay in the Western Balkan region to create a better region, better societies and to build your families to stay in the region. The precondition for all of this is to have peace and stability. Unfortunatly, this was challenging for the Western Balkans region as we witnessed wars and divisive regimes throughout history. We have a chance to make a better future and this is why Superschools is so important – it gives us a chance to build bridges of friendship and intercultural dialogue across the entire region.
The Superschools program enables students from different local communities to take part in seven-day exchanges, during which they engage in joint activities that foster intercultural dialogue, share experiences, and participate in peacebuilding initiatives across the region. This program encourages young people to develop tolerance, openness, and a better understanding of regional perspectives by directly experiencing the cultures, traditions, and values of their peers.
About the Superschools program
Superschools is a RYCO program for school exchanges in the Western Balkans. Its objectives are to support peacebuilding, reconciliation, and intercultural learning and dialogue among schools, students, and their communities. The program is part of the multi-donor project “Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme,” co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
