The Secretary General of KOMS, Milica Borjanić, participated in a two-day regional conference titled “Informing and Engaging Voters: A Regional Perspective on How to Increase Voter Turnout“, held on December 17–18, 2024, in Warsaw. The event was organized by ODIHR (the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights).

This conference brought together 59 participants from across the Western Balkans region, including representatives of election commissions, media regulatory bodies, civil society, media, and international organizations. The event aimed to address key factors influencing voter turnout, exchange best practices, and formulate recommendations to improve voter trust and engagement.

During panels and discussions, participants addressed challenges such as barriers to voter registration, lack of information for vulnerable groups, and the impact of disinformation on electoral processes. Special emphasis was placed on strategies to increase turnout among youth, women, and other underrepresented groups, leveraging digital tools and media.

Milica Borjanić highlighted the importance of engaging youth in electoral processes through continuous educational programs and campaigns that encourage participation. She also emphasized the need to connect young people with political processes at the local level to strengthen their role in decision-making.

One of the key conclusions of the conference was that increasing turnout requires a combination of traditional and digital approaches, enhancing transparency in the work of electoral commissions and media, and ongoing efforts to combat disinformation. The organizers announced the continuation of this project, with the next conference planned for 2025.

KOMS remains committed to actively participating in regional initiatives that promote democratic values and empower young people to engage in decision-making processes.