Belgrade – 20 schools from Serbia have been awarded the title of “Superschool” this year, and their proposed projects were presented today at a public event called “Meet the Superschools,” organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Selected schools and their programs will contribute to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and intercultural learning and dialogue within the framework of the Western Balkans School Exchange Program.
Alongside the representatives from the selected schools, the event was attended by representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy, the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development.
Opening the event, Mr. Vladimir Obradović, RYCO Secretary General, underlined that Superschools has grown into one of the organization’s flagship programs, bringing together thousands of students and teachers across the Western Balkans. He highlighted that the initiative is not only about mobility, but also about trust-building, reconciliation, and creating opportunities for young people to shape a shared regional future.
“Superschools are not just an exchange project. They are a story of cooperation, trust, and shared learning that overcomes barriers and fosters new friendships. Through the three previous cycles, more than 3,000 students from across the Western Balkans had the opportunity to travel, to meet their peers, and to discover that similarities are stronger than differences,” said Obradović.
Ms. Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, congratulated the 20 schools selected in this round of the Superschools programme.
“Their open-mindedness and curiosity are inspirational and encouraging. The European Union will continue to stand by the youth of the Western Balkans — supporting their creativity, mobility, and opportunities to learn, connect, and build friendships across borders. Because in their hands lies the future of this region and of our entire continent.” said Halacheva.
Speaking on behalf of Germany, H. E. Ambassador Anke Konrad emphasized the long-standing commitment of Germany to this program. “Germany has supported the Superschools program from the very beginning: Superschools is far more than a school exchange scheme – it is a unique platform that actively fosters mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue, and reconciliation among young people across the Western Balkans.”
Addressing the audience, Ms. Ivana Antonijević, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth, underlined the importance of regional exchanges for peacebuilding and reconciliation:
“Through the Superschools program, young people gain the opportunity to connect, learn from one another, and build lasting friendships across borders. By investing in these exchanges, we invest in stronger regional cooperation, mutual understanding, and a more sustainable future for the Western Balkans.”
Ms. Anđelka Mirković, Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, highlighted the importance of this initiative:
“This project is of great importance, not only for enhancing students’ knowledge and skills and for the professional development of teachers in specific fields and project management, but also for building attitudes and a strong value system. Through this kind of exchange of knowledge and experience, all students will have the privilege to make new friends, develop intercultural sensitivity, and contribute to mutual understanding among young people in the region.”
The upcoming exchange activities will be conducted from November 15 of this year through April 15 of next year. During this period, school principals and teachers will coordinate and develop these activities with the support of RYCO and its mentors. You can view the list of 100 secondary schools from the region, including 20 from Serbia, on RYCO website.
During the implementation phase, each partner school will organize one exchange visit to the partnering one lasting up to 6 days, with students traveling accompanied by one or two teachers. Through the exchange scheme, students and teachers will have the chance to travel, present themselves, their schools, and customs to their hosts, and learn new things about local communities all throughout the region. More than 100 exchange proposals were submitted for the Superschools 4th Open Call, which placed special emphasis on the concept of homestays — a unique opportunity for students and schools to participate in bilateral exchanges within their local communities and homes. In this call, 13 partnerships are implementing homestays.
Background
About the Superschools program
Superschools is RYCO program for school exchanges in the region with the objectives to support the peacebuilding and reconciliation process and intercultural learning and dialogue among schools, students and their communities. The program is part of a 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 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).
About RYCO
RYCO is an intergovernmental organization that stewards and promotes regional and intercultural cooperation of young people within and among Western Balkans societies. RYCO’s programs focus on creating opportunities for young people to engage in activities that build mutual understanding and reconciliation in the civic, social, educational, cultural, and sports domains. RYCO initiates and participates in policymaking and advocates for reform. It supports the development of a political and social environment that empowers and facilitates youth exchange.
