Berlin – Alongside aspirations for European integration and greater democratization, young people in the Western Balkans are also united by common problems, and intensified cooperation among youth is essential for fostering reconciliation and overcoming today’s challenges. This message was conveyed at the Western Balkans Youth Forum, held on October 13 and 14 in Berlin, Germany.
Organized by the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ DFJW), and the non-profit association Bürger Europas, in the framework of the Berlin Process Summit, the Youth Forum gathered over 100 participants, including representatives from regional governments, EU member states, and EU institutions, as well as youth from the Western Balkans and European countries. This year’s Forum particularly focused on marking the tenth anniversary of the Berlin Process, providing an opportunity for participants to reflect on the achievements made so far and consider future steps to further enhance youth cooperation in the region.
Opening the Forum, RYCO Secretary General, Albert Hani, stated that Berlin Process as a platform contributed a lot when it comes to regional cooperation in the past ten years, but that young people are actually driving force of this process.
“You are architects of the future and voice of change. Your energy, creativity and determination inspire all of us to strive for better and more prospereous region” – stated SG Hani and called all relevant actors and partners in the region and EU to provide even bigger support in order to assure more active participation of youth in decision making processes, enhancement of cooperation and overcoming problems from the past.
He pointed out that the establishment of RYCO within the Berlin Process sent a strong political message that the governments of the region want to cooperate, but that the existence of RYCO is based not on interests but on values.
“Our mission is to break stereotypes, overcome divisions and empower young people to take responsibility for their future and the future of the region. By putting young people in the foreground, we are working to create conditions for the progress of the region and an environment in which young people from the Balkans are side by side with their peers from EU countries.”
Greeting the participants, Dr. Rouven Klein, Head of the Board of Bürger Europas e.V expressed the satisfaction with International Youth Exchange titled “Being Active – Youth Participation for a Democratic Future,” implemented in partnership with RYCO. This activity that started on 9th of October preceded the Youth Forum and brought together 30 young participants from the Western Balkans with 12 peers from France and Germany. Through exploring Germany’s recent history, they learned about the challenges of reconciliation and ways to engage in local politics and civil society to build peace and a sustainable future.
Klein praised partnership with RYCO and expressed hope that there will be more similar activities in the upcoming period. He also sent encouraging message to young leaders “to actively engage in civil society, to innovate and to drive positive change. Youth has a power to shape a stronger, more inclusive Europe.”
Captivating insights on international cooperation and youth empowerment in Western Balkans, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) Team Leader, Jasmin Valjevac in the opening remarks sent a message on long-term partnership with RYCO, established on shared values and goals.
“GIZ has been actively supporting RYCO’s growth and institutional development, and we are proud of what we achieved by far,” said Valjevac.
Speaking at the Western Balkans Youth Forum, the Director for the Western Balkans at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Michael Reiffenstuel, highlighted crucial role of youth in driving regional cooepration and shaping a brighter future. He emphasized the importance of the Berlin Process, especially when it comes to Westen Balkan countries getting closer to the EU.
“This cooperation takes place within the region itself, as well as in connection with European countries, and we see this in terms of trade, exchange and interaction”, Reiffenstuel highlighted.
For smooth run of agenda and active engagement of participants credit goes to Master of Cermony, Head of LBO Kosovo* Krenare Gashi-Krasniqi. In her opening remarks, she presented the story of new Berlin ProcessSummit identity created by 6 young people from Westen Balkans, that from now on will serve as a permanent logo of this prestigeous event.
The Forum featured two panel discussions, engaging WB6 government representatives along with WB youth. First panel, moderated by Head of LBO Montenegro, Edin Koljenović, opened discussion on Berlin Process, Youth Participation and the Impact of their Engagement. This was an opportunity for Minister Bora Muzahqi, Minister of State for Youth and Children of Albania and Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo, to sit together and discuss this topic with Milica Borjanic, Secretary General of KOMS from Serbia and Donika Zogu, Youth Representative of RYCO Governing Board.
In her speech, Minister Muzhaqi elaborated on the initiatives aimed at creating greater opportunities for youth, stating that significant strides are made in empowering youth in decision-making, as their voices must be heard and translated into concrete policies that address their needs.
Hajrulla Çeku, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo stated that a lot has been accomplished, but that changes still remain. RYCO, as he said, played and important role in regional cooperation and reconciliation and should continue to provide a safe environment and an effective platform for youth dialogue and exchange.
Milica Borjanić from KOMS, stated that RYCO has brought the National Youth Councils to the heart of the Berlin process, including authentic youth voices into the discussion with decision-makers. Her colleague and Youth Representative in RYCO Governing Board, Donika Zogu, said that many young people in the region still struggle with obstacles like unemployment and limited opportunities to have a real say in decision-making, but that though platforms like the Berlin Process and RYCO, barriers are breaking down.
Second panel discussion, moderated by Head of LBO Albania, Kreshnik Loka, brought to focus topic of The European Project through the Youth Lens. Panel discussion included Dragoslav Šćekić, Minister of Youth and Sports of Montenegro, Fatmir Limani, Minister of Social Policy, Demographics and Youth of North Macedonia, Ivana Antonijević, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth of Serbia, along with Klajdi Priska, Youth Representative of RYCO Governing Board and Iman Maslić, President of VMFBiH.
On this occasion, Minister Šćekić sent a message that it is highly important to provide opportunities for young people, their education, acquisition of skills, but also inclusion in all processes that contribute to the development of our societies. Minister Limani pointed out that youth is not just future, but also our present, and that it is the responsibility of of the representatives of the institutions to provide resources, access and involvement of the youth to impement their ideas. Ivana Antonijevic, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Youth of Serbia said that RYCO mechanism represents a safe space for exchanging opinions and reaching agreements of mutual interest for our societies and the region as a whole.
Youth Representative, Klajdi Prishka emphasized that through Berlin Process RYCO became reality , which brought big shift in terms of structure of regional cooperation, while Iman Maslić from VMFBiH steted that for further improvement of cooperation, but also the position of young people, it is necessary to support local actors who work to strengthen the position of young people, create opportunities for exchange at the regional level, and support the efforts of individuals and organizations so that the voice of young people is recognized by decision makers.
The first day of the WB6 Youth Forum concluded with “SIX STEPS UP” exhibition with portraits of young people from the region and their perspectives on the relevance of regional cooperation.
The focus of the second day of the Forum was on RYCO’s enhanced strategic approach to peacebuilding in Western Balkans, from exchange of past experience to setting the goals for the next three-year period. RYCO’s Judoris Merkaj and Dejan Rizinski led the participants through the program agenda, announcing series of panels where participants exchanged views on the position of young people in shaping regional cooperation.
RYCO Head of Programs, Teodora Stolevska, featured panel discussion Unpacking New Dynamics for Youth Cooperation in the Western Balkans, while new RYCOgnized Manager Evis Myftari and Acting Head of LBO BiH, Nikola Kandić, intrdoduced RYCO’s Strategic Focus for the upcoming period, and Head of LBO North Macedonia, Vladimir Georgievski presented main Takeaways from the Strategy Circles.
Additionally, the Forum served as an opportunity to announce the opening of the 6th Open Call for civil society organizations in the region, featuring the presence of Grant Manager Sonila Necaj. RYCO Open Call presents additional effort to support multipliers at regional level and provide more mobility opportunities to young people.
The Youth Forum of the Western Balkans has been held continuously since 2021 as part of the Berlin Process Summit, serving as a unique platform for directly engaging and connecting youth, as well as professionals working in the youth sector at both regional and European levels. While still sharing impressions from this year’s edition, we are looking forward to seeing you next year, with new topics, new guests and insights in Western Balkans Youth Forum 2025!