TIRANA – RYCO Program Manager Mr Besnik Vasolli and RYCO Program Assistant Mr Sokol Zeneli met with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Albania, on Thursday, 10 June. The meeting took place at the premises of IOM in Tirana and was attended by Chief of Mission/Western Balkan Sub-Regional Coordinator at IOM Albania Ms Laura Lungarotti, Head of Office Ms Alma Jani, and Program Coordinator Mr Genci Pjetri.
Mr Vasolli started the discussion by focusing on RYCO’s strategic objectives and projects. He emphasized the importance of regional youth cooperation and reconciliation for a better Western Balkans where youth feel connected, engaged and empowered.
In continuation, Ms Lungarotti presented the role and mission of IOM in the region. She underlined that the prevention of youth violent extremism, especially in regards to marginalized youth, development of soft skills and cooperation with institutions, relevant stakeholders and youth councils at the local level is an important area that needs to be further supported.
Both parties discussed possible avenues of cooperation in the field of youth. They took the opportunity to reflect and discuss on RYCO’s current and upcoming projects for youth cooperation in the region by affirming willingness to collaborate on new joint approaches related to the missions of both organizations.