PODGORICA – Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro Mr Edin Koljenović met with Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro Ms Oana Kristina Popa and Civil Society Sector Representative of the EU Delegation Ms Ana Mariguesa on Tuesday, 9 March 2021. The meeting took place at the premises of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro and discussed RYCO’s work, strategic priorities and its concrete achievements in the regional as well as in the local context.
During the meeting, the interlocutors agreed that RYCO is one of the most successful and visible results of the Berlin Process while highlighting the importance of further strengthening cooperation between RYCO and the EU Delegation to Montenegro.
Mr Koljenović acknowledged the support of the EU which recognizes the RYCO as a key actor on youth empowerment and engagement in the region. He added that the 4th RYCO Open Call for Project Proposals is financially supported by the European Union.
“Throughout the implementation of this call, from February to October 2021, the EU and RYCO will join their forces in order to foster reconciliation and regional youth cooperation in the Western Balkans. These innovative projects are taking part all over the region and will provide youth in the region with new spaces for dialogue and engagement. This is also a long term investment in empowering the youth to take a more proactive role and become leaders of tomorrow – whose basis for action will be the common values at the hearth of the EU and RYCO,” Mr Koljenović underlined.
Ambassador Popa said that RYCO is a part of the pervasive processes of change in the region and it has a luxury of time in order to build a more sustainable and resilient environment that will better suit youth needs.
She also emphasized that cooperation will be further strengthened to support RYCO’s activities and work on youth related issues all for the purpose of further promotion of youth cooperation and establishing bridges between new generations as one of the preconditions for the progress of the Western Balkans.
The discussions continued with a focus on RYCO’s role and achievements on regional youth cooperation and reconciliation and potentials for the further improvements in order to maintain youth cooperation and reconciliation momentum even in times of crisis.
