Zlatibor – From December 6th to 8th, RYCO played a pivotal role as a partner organization in the promotion of the 4th generation of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) on Zlatibor, Serbia. The event, organized by WeBalkans, showcased the collaboration between RYCO and the YEA project, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of the Western Balkans and strengthening regional cooperation.
The Young European Ambassadors (YEA) platform is a creative communication network of future young activists from across the Western Balkans 6. The recent Call for Applications, which ran from 1 to 31 October 2024, successfully selected a new generation of 97 passionate young people committed to promoting European values, integration, and cooperation.
As a partner to WeBalkans, RYCO contributed significantly to the success of the event. Representing RYCO in this event, Local Program Officer in LBO Serbia, Davor Džakula, delivered presentation on the organization’s work, which garnered strong interest from the participants. His presentation focused on the importance of regional cooperation, the role of youth in driving change, and RYCO’s initiatives, which prompted numerous questions from the attendees, particularly the newly selected YEAs.
The newly selected YEAs, who had already shown a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to the cause, expressed their eagerness to get involved in RYCO’s activities. Their interest reflected the growing influence of RYCO in empowering youth, promoting European values, and fostering collaboration across the region.
Throughout the event, RYCO’s role as a partner organization highlighted the value of regional cooperation in advancing the goals of the YEA program.
These new members will join the existing, expanding the network to 240. Together they will deepen their knowledge of EU policies, engage with local communities, and represent their peers on the European stage.
The new YEAs join at an exciting time for the Western Balkans as the region continues its path towards greater integration with the European Union. Through their work, YEAs will promote understanding, build networks, and encourage dialogue among youth from different backgrounds.
They will also champion EU like democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. By strengthening ties between the Western Balkans and the EU, they will showcase the benefits of regional cooperation and integration.
The selection of this new generation of Young European Ambassadors demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to investing in youth and equipping them to shape their future. As the YEAs prepare for the year ahead, the hope is to inspire even more young people across the region to engage in active citizenship, drive positive change, and support the EU’s vision for a united and prosperous future.
One of the key highlights of this year’s application process was the outreach campaign designed to engage young people from diverse and marginalised backgrounds. The initiative specifically targeted those from geographically isolated communities and minority groups, ensuring inclusiveness.
As the YEA network continues to expand, RYCO remains dedicated to supporting young people from the Western Balkans, providing them with the platforms and opportunities to contribute to a brighter and more integrated future for the region.
