EUROPE/ONLINE – Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania Mr Kreshnik Loka took part in the second Adriatic Ionian Youth Organisations Forum, held online, on 26 October 2021. The event navigated the role of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR) youth in territorial cooperation and in shaping the transition to an innovative, more sustainable and resilient development of the Adriatic Ionian region.
The first part of the forum was dedicated to inputs coming from different stakeholders working with youth on local, regional and European level. The opening inputs were given by representatives of DG- REGIO, the Regional Cooperation Council, the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office, the Association of European Border Regions (AEBR), the Municipality of Tirana and the National Youth Congress of Albania.
All participants shared with the audience their ongoing initiatives benefiting the youth and created a platform for synergies between them.
The Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania Mr Kreshnik Loka shared with the participants the three main programs of RYCO, namely the Regional Exchange Scheme for High Schools – Superschools; the Regional Cross Border Volunteer Program – ROUTE WB6 and the Regional Incubator for Social Entrepreneurship – RISE WB6.
“It is crucial to have youth in all the decision making processes that affect them. This is why it is important to have them as part of RYCO Governing Board and I hope our model will be replicated at all main stakeholders working with youth”, highlighted Mr Loka.
Moreover, Mr Loka, shared the Shared Future Studies, as the most updated study on youth perceptions in the region which should be constantly explored by actors working with youth.
The second part of the forum was dedicated to the civil society organizations from the region working with youth. They had the chance to be informed on how youth can benefit from AI-NURECC Plus such as the Internship Fund for Creative and Cultural Industries, the Summer School on Sustainable Tourism and thematic events.
The event is part of the Adriatic Ionian Network of Universities, Regions, Chambers of Commerce and Cities PLUS (AI-NURECC Plus), a multi-level partnership aimed at promoting the appropriation of EUSAIR’s main objectives and opportunities among Regional and Local Authorities as well as among youth of the Adriatic Ionian area.
