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Strengthening Regional Youth Cooperation –  Memorandum of Understanding and Partnership between Umbrella Youth Organizations of the Western Balkans

Strengthening Regional Youth Cooperation – Memorandum of Understanding and Partnership between Umbrella Youth Organizations of the Western Balkans

Ahead of the International Youth Day, marked on August 12, on August 5, in Belgrade representatives of six youth umbrella organizations (UYOs) from the economies of the Western Balkans signed a Memorandum of Partnership and Understanding (MoU). 

The memorandum, which seeks to strengthen existing co-operation, communication and understanding between umbrella alliances, was signed by: 

• National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS), 

• National Youth Council of Macedonia (NMSM),  

• Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (VMFBiH), 

• Youth Council of Brcko District (VSMBD), 

• Youth Council of Republic of Srpska (OSRS) and 

• Youth Network of Montenegro (MMCG). 

From August 3 to 5, in Belgrade, within the Regional Meeting, representatives of the National Youth Council of Serbia, National Youth Council of Macedonia, Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Youth Council of Brcko District, Youth Council of Republic of Srpska and Youth Network of MontenegroNational Youth Congress of Albania, as well as Kosovar Youth Council discussed the framework for improving future cooperation and the opportunities for upcoming meetings of the UYO of the Western Balkans economies1, which will be organized in the following months.  

At the opening of the Regional Meeting, aside from representatives of UYOs and a representative of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), we were joined by representatives of the Local Branch Office of the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation (RYCO) in Serbia and representatives of the EU Delegation to Serbia (EU Srbija). 

With this Memorandum, we strive to strengthen the position of UYOs, but also to pave the direction of our partnership, which is based on principles of mutual respect and understanding, alliance, affirmation, confirmation, and sharing of experience and expertise. 

We consider the signing of the MoU a great success for young people across the Western Balkans. Also, it will remain open to the participation of other UYOs from the region. 

The Regional meeting of the umbrella youth organizations of the Western Balkans organized in Belgrade was supported by the Youth Lab of the Western Balkans implemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). 

[1] Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.