The RYCO Local Branch Office in Skopje organized the first promotional event in a series of activities, marking the closing phase of the three-year Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund programme. The event gathered young artists, cultural professionals, and representatives of civil society organizations from the region, providing a platform to reflect on the programme’s achievements and impact.
Opening the event, Vladimir Gjorgjevski, Head of the Local Branch Office in Skopje, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to continue developing their ideas and strengthening regional cooperation through culture and creativity.
The event commenced with a networking session among all the grantees from North Macedonia, followed by a presentation of RYCO’s programme and the results achieved through the Fund. Participants presented their projects and shared insights on how the support received enabled them to develop their ideas and implement impactful cultural initiatives within their communities.
Sherife Ismaili, Regional Manager of the Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund, expressed her gratitude to all participants for their dedication and collaboration, emphasizing her pride in the diverse cultural works produced through the supported projects. She further emphasised that in the upcoming period, the programme will place a stronger focus on advancing advocacy efforts in the field of culture across the region.
Established in October 2023, the Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund aims to connect young people through culture and the arts by fostering creative collaboration, intercultural dialogue, and peacebuilding. To date, the Fund has supported 109 initiatives engaging more than 850 young people from the region.
The programme responds to the need for increased opportunities for youth to actively contribute to their communities through culture and creativity. It also promotes regional cooperation, networking, and partnerships, while supporting the development of the independent cultural scene in the Western Balkans.
The Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund is a multi-year initiative funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by RYCO with the support of Western Balkan governments. The programme will run until September 2026, further strengthening cultural cooperation and youth engagement in the region.
