The second regional strategic meeting of the youth umbrella associations of the Western Balkans[1] was held in Belgrade from November 5th to 7th. Participants in this event were representatives from youth umbrella organizations (UYOs):
- 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),
- National Youth Congress of Albania (KRK),
- Kosovar Youth Council (KYC),
As well as the heads and representatives of RYCO Local Branch Offices from Belgrade, Tirana, Podgorica, Sarajevo, and Prishtina, as well as youth representatives in RYCO Governing Board from Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Serbia.
At the three-day event, they disscused about what has been done so far and how further cooperation can be enhanced. All participants agreed and directed ideas and wishes to continue cooperation. It has also pointed out the need to further improve and enhance cooperation and how to make it operational, after the signed Memorandums of Understanding (Memorandum of Understanding and Partnership between Umbrella Youth Organizations of the Western Balkans and Memorandum of Understanding on Enhancing Bilateral Co-operation Among Youth Actors from Albania and Serbia).
It was pointed out that through these MoUs, as well as through two strategic meetings, the umbrella youth organizations took ownership of mutual cooperation at the regional level. Representatives of the UYOs discussed ways in which they could improve cooperation and make the best use of all the opportunities provided to them to meet. The activities they want to organize and carry out were also discussed.
In addition, the participants of the meeting discussed the possibilities for establishing stronger and continuous cooperation between RYCO, its offices and the UYO of the Western Balkans. Representatives of UYO agreed that it is important for RYCO to establish a stronger and strategic partnership with UYOs in the region, as well as presented ways in which this can be achieved.
Finally, the representatives of the umbrella bodies jointly contributed to the recommendations for improving the work of RYCO, as well as regional cooperation among young people, which will be incorporated into the new strategy of the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation for the period from 2022 to 2024.
The discussions held during the three days of the meeting of the mentioned representatives were extremely productive and everyone expressed joy over the continuation of cooperation.
This event was realized with the support and partnership with the Local Office of the Regional Office for Youth Cooperation (RYCO) in Belgrade.
[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.