On this very day nine years ago, six Western Balkans Governments gathered in Paris and signed the Agreement of Establishment of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). And while on the 4th of July fireworks light the skies across the Atlantic, the Western Balkans mark the day that sparked a different kind of flame – the one of youth cooperation and unity. Symbolical offspring of Berlin Process, RYCO represents a unique mechanism that transformed the way young people in the region engage with each other and build long-lasting connections.
RYCO was founded on the idea that peaceful and prosperous Western Balkans is achievable, and that young people are the ones to lead the way. Today, almost a decade later, RYCO proves that the firmness of this vision stays unshaken. Through youth exchanges and mobility programs, educational projects and support for civil society organizations and youth initiatives, RYCO has empowered thousands of young people and encouraged them to perceive the region and each other in a new light.
Through different programs and activities over the years, RYCO has succeeded in engaging, inspiring and connecting almost 60 thousand young people in the region, in addition to over 250 civil society organizations and around 1000 individuals including cultural workers, young entrepreneurs and students and educators.
Only in 2024 RYCO reached around 15 thousand young people, allocated more than 60 grants through RYCOnnecting Youth Open Call, Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund and RISE project that inspired 300 new partnerships around the region. Furthermore, through RYCO flagship project Superschools, 90 schools had an opportunity to be a part of unique high-schools exchange scheme, travel to another part of the region and make long-lasting friendships. Behind all these numbers is a story of broadened perspectives, challenged stereotypes and youth empowerment that sparks the change towards a more peaceful and prosperous Western Balkans region.
In the past nine years RYCO has reached every corner of the region- from urban centers to small towns and villages. Our local branch offices organized activities and implemented projects, working together with youth organizations, governments and municipalities, local and international organizations, making an effort and improving the position of youth on the local level, empowering them to participate, raise their voices and take a lead that brings the change in their communities and societies.
While we are celebrating nine years of RYCO’s existence, this date encourages us to reflect on what lies ahead. In the previous period, foundations were set, yet peace, trust, dialogue and cooperation are values to be lived and passed forward. RYCO will remain the main mechanism that provides tools, knowledge, and resources for young people to lead the change.
