In the first days of April 2026, Pristina hosted the Regional Leadership Tour of RYCO Secretary General Vladimir Obradović and Deputy Secretary General Kreshnik Loka. The visit marked an important milestone in the context of RYCO’s 10th anniversary and contributed to strengthening cooperation with youth as well as key regional and international actors. The delegation, consisting of SG, DSG, Head of the Local Branch Office Krenare Gashi-Krasniqi, Program Officer Dardana Fetahu, together with local representatives, met with government officials, diplomats, civil society representatives, and young leaders to promote youth empowerment and regional integration.
On April 2, the day began with a meeting at the Ministry of Sports and Youth, where they were welcomed by Minister Blerim Gashani and his Advisor, Donika Zogu. During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration with the new Minister’s cabinet on shared priorities related to youth participation, peacebuilding, and regional cooperation.
Following the meeting with the Ministry, next in line was the British Embassy, where Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves reinforced the UK’s commitment to youth-led initiatives like the Youth Forum and RYCO’s broader mission.
Later, the delegation had a fruitful lunch with the French Ambassador, Olivier Guérot, and the German Ambassador, Rainer Rudolph. The discussion focused on shared projects between RYCO and the French and German embassies, such as the “Tree of Dialogue” and the Harmony Hero Award. SG and DSG thanked the ambassadors for their continued support, particularly for the Youth Forum and peacebuilding efforts such as the RISE and Superschools initiatives.
In the afternoon, DSG and HLBO visited the Klan Kosova studio for a media appearance, where they discussed the challenges faced by youth in the region and the importance of increasing youth cooperation. They shared insights into RYCO’s work and the upcoming Youth Forum in Montenegro, which will gather youth leaders from across the Western Balkans to address regional challenges.
The final day of the visit, April 3rd, began with a high-level meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his Sherpa, Ms. Lorena Sekiraqa. The conversation focused on Kosovo*’s continued support for RYCO’s regional programs and its role in the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda.
Later in the morning, RYCO team visited the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, where they met with Ambassador Gerard McGurk and his team. The discussions highlighted the importance of amplifying youth voices in peacebuilding efforts and furthering cooperation on the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda. The OSCE’s work on supporting civil society and empowering youth espiacilly through the Dialogue Academy Network Alumni (DANA) was noted, due to the cooperation with the Local Branch Office.
The visit culminated with a reception, where RYCO grantees, beneficiaries, and partners gathered to discuss the successes of ongoing initiatives and explore future collaborations. The event was a testament to the power of collective action and the shared vision for a peaceful, inclusive future driven by the region’s youth.
As the tour continues next to Sarajevo, we reflect now on the conversations held in Pristina, proving the ongoing commitment of RYCO and its partners to make youth the cornerstone of a brighter future for the Western Balkans.
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*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.
