Skopje, – In a significant step towards fostering integrity and transparency in governance, over 30 young politicians and political activists gathered today in Skopje for the “Western Balkans Next Gen: Leading the Fight Against Corruption” event. Organized by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in partnership with the Regional Youth Cooperation Council (RYCO), the event aimed to empower youth in taking a leadership role in combating corruption and promoting good governance across the region.
David Muckenhuber, Head of the Regional Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy, opened the event on behalf of Austrian Development Cooperation, reaffirming Austria’s steadfast commitment to fighting corruption in the Western Balkans.
Building on this, Albert Hani, Secretary General of RYCO, delivered a compelling message on the crucial role of young leaders in combating corruption.
“Today’s youth in the Western Balkans are more engaged than ever, advocating for social change and standing up against corruption. If we want to shift corruption from an accepted norm to an unacceptable crime, we must work together to expose its impact and educate future leaders on transparency, accountability, and integrity. Youth participation must remain a priority in this process.” – he stressed
Desislava Gotskova, Director of the RAI Secretariat, welcomed participants and reinforced the need for ethical leadership:
“Young people here today bring fresh ideas, new energy, and—most importantly—integrity to political life. But with this power comes a responsibility to lead with honesty and an unwavering commitment to transparency. The future of governance depends on leaders who build trust, strengthen institutions, and foster ethical decision-making as the standard’ – he said.
Representing Austrian Development Cooperation, David Muckenhuber, Head of the Regional Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy, reaffirmed Austria’s strong commitment to supporting anti-corruption initiatives in the Western Balkans.
As the first in a series of youth-oriented events under SEE-TAC II, the gathering featured interactive sessions on transparency, accountability, and building trust between youth and government institutions. Participants also explored the role of civil society in fighting corruption and engaged in workshops where they proposed solutions to regional challenges.
SEE-TAC II, a regional programme dedicated to enhancing resilience against corruption, is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and implemented by RAI in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The initiative will continue with a series of events designed to engage and empower young leaders across the region.
