Regional Youth Compact for Europe is a three years project which aims to strengthen CSOs, especially youth organizations in the Western Balkans and Turkey, in order to enable their more efficient participation in the creation of the public policies and monitoring of the processes of the European integration.
Project Team
Center for Democracy Foundation, Balkan Network for Local Democracy (ALDA – European Association for local democracy and nine agencies for local democracy from the region of the Western Balkans), Youth Act Center (Albania), CRTA (Belgrade) and SODEM (Turkey) are participating together in different activities with the aim to strengthen capacities of the CSOs and of youth organizations for monitoring the implementation of the public policies and for advocacy through structured dialogue. Special attention was paid on the good governance, rule of law, economic governance, employment and reform of social policy. It is expected that combined activities such as regional networking, strengthening the capacities of the members of the Balkan Network for Local Democracy and youth organizations, monitoring, should increase the influence of the CSOs in the reform processes on the road to EU.
The first meeting of the Project team was held in June 2018
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/regional-youth-compact-for-europe
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/youth-compact-kick-off-meeting-in-belgrade
Activities
Strengthening the capacity of project partners
The First Regional training for the Network Members of the project Regional Youth Compact for Europe took place in Novi Sad, Serbia, from 20-21 October 2019. The trainers were experts from Civil Society Organizations.
Main topic on the training was the accession negotiation process with the EU with the focus on rule of law, fundamental rights, social policy and employment, public administration reform and to set up the grounds for strengthening the Network capacity for reporting, monitoring and advocacy actions to promote effective implementation of the EU integration related reforms. The Chapters 19, 23 and 24 were presented and their importance for citizens was emphasized, and the participants were introduced to the monitoring of public administration reform in the Western Balkans.
The second three-day training with more than 30 participants was held from 10 to 12 September 2019 in Knjaevac. Areas covered by this training were policy monitoring and evaluation, done by the experts from Serbia and Croatia. Training also included evidence-based advocacy at the local level, local budgeting and youth policies.
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/first-regional-training-regional-youth-compact-for-europe
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/regional-training-for-the-balkan-network-for-local-democracy
Study visit to the National Convention on the EU in Serbia
The Study visit to National Convention to the EU was organized in Belgrade on 29-30 November 2018, when the Regional Youth Compact for Europe project was officially presented, together with the Study Visit to the National Convention on the EU in Serbia.
After short introduction from Nataša Vu?kovi?, Exectutive Director of CDF and Nicolas Bizel, Head of Operations Section 1 of the European Delegation, a panel discussion was held, with representatives of CSO who are dealing with the challenges that young people are facing in the Western Balkans region, related to the EU integration process and how they can actively engage in their local communities. As a part of the Agenda, the visit to the European Movement in Serbia, one of the key organizations for process of EU integration, was organized. More details about this event you can find on the following links:
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/11835/regional-youth-compact-for-europe-study-visit-to-nceu
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/regional-youth-compact-for-europe-empowering-network-members
First Regional Thematic Network Forum and Annual Conference
On 26th and 27th February 2019 in Tirana, two important regional events were organized: Regional Thematic Network Forum and Annual Conference. More than 80 representatives from the civil society, regional organizations, public and private sector of the Western Balkans, EU and Turkey, as well as youth representatives participated on these events. On Regional Forum the participants had the opportunity to gain knowledge on new possibilities for cooperation among different actors in the region, but also to participate in simulation of joined activities for integration in the EU on the regional level. An important issue of animating young people related to knowledge and monitoring of European integration in their communities was also raised, and what was the best way to bring this complex process closer to them. It was concluded that greater connection is needed, both regionally and between the state and civil sector, in order for the path to the EU to be as successful as possible. During the first project annual conference, best practices in the work of CSOs in the Western Balkans at the local level were discussed.
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/first-regional-thematic-network-forum-in-tirana
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/western-balkan-countries-progressing-together-in-eu-integration
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/postponed-annual-conference-and-regional-thematic-network-forum
Regional Workshops for Youth
The first Regional workshop „Rule of Law and Fundamental Right – why they are important for the youth and how they can contribute to monitoring of reforms“ was held in Mostar, on March 25-26, 2019. About 20 young people from Western Balkans were introduced to the European values, with the special focus on the Chapters 23 and 24. The participants discussed European values, standards and principles that every candidate country should incorporate during the accession process, and also why the rule of law and fundamental rights are important for them. More about this event you can find on the following links:
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/11889/medjunarodna-radionica-vladavina-prava-i-osnovna-prava
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/the-international-workshop-in-mostar-has-officialy-started
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/think-globally-act-locally-empowering-young-people
The second Regional Workshop for young people about the employment policy, labour market reform and education was held in Pristina on November 5 and 6, 2019. The aim of the workshop was to spread knowledge about the processes and procedures of European integration, with special emphasis on the employment and social cohesion. The workshops covered some of the most important topics for young people from the Balkans and Turkey, such as labour market reforms, decent work standards, social cohesion, youth mobility and employment opportunities. You can find more about the event at the following links:
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/11974/formirana-mreza-mladih-balkana-za-evropu
POLITEIA Regional School for Youth from Western Balkan
The First Western Balkan School for Youth Participation POLITEIA was held in RESPA – Regional School of Public Administration in Danilovgrad, Montenegro from 1st to 6th April, 2019. The best students, young scientists and activists from the Western Balkans, who gathered in Danilovgrad upgraded their knowledge on European integration process, concept of the rule of law and social cohesion. Above all, participants got better acquainted with the process of public policies design, and through practical exercises and simulations they acquired skills for monitoring and preparation of the amendments for policies improvement and through practical exercises and simulations they acquired the skills to monitor their impact, results and make suggestions for their improvement. You can find more about the event on the following links:
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/video/11957/mladi-balkana-za-evropu
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/announcing-the-regional-politeia-summer-school
The Comparative study „Civil Society in the Western Balkans: Involvement in the EU Accession Negotiation and EU Integration Processes from Initiatives to a Structured Dialogue“
In November 2019, the Comparative study „Civil Society in the Western Balkans: Involvement in the EU Accession Negotiation and EU Integration Processes from Initiatives to a Structured Dialogue“ was published. The study underlines the difficulties encountered by each country in this procedure, but also shows the recent dynamics through progress and initiatives which took place during the last years. Furthermore, the authors made a distinction between on the one hand Serbia and Montenegro which are in an advanced phase of the EU integration and on the other hand North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which need more reforms in order to fulfil the European requirements. There are numerous elements regarding the cooperation between authorities and CSOs which can help them in this procedure. Besides the analisys of the current situation and mechanisms of inclusion of civil society, the study is offering the recommendations for improvement of its contribution in this process.
The study was conducted by CRTA, partner on this project.
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/comparative-study-are-western-balkans-ready-for-the-eu
The Regional Youth Compact Thematic Forum – Youth in the Region
Following two Regional Youth Workshops, the First Regional Youth Compact for Europe project Thematic Forum: was held on the 7th of November 2019 in Pristina. The main goal of the forum was to establish a youth network will work as a network of young students and activists empowered for monitoring EU related reforms within the EU integration processes.
The members of the network will apply in practice the knowledge about process of EU integration in their countries. They will also cooperate with their local communities and will work in the establishing of the best ways to implement the reforms, to monitor the results and the effects of changes. During the Forum the participants have adopted the Declaration of Youth about the regional cooperation that you can read on the following link:
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/Youth-Compact/Declaration
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/11974/formirana-mreza-mladih-balkana-za-evropu
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/regional-forum-youth-regional-compact-for-europe-network
RYCE Internship programme
The RYCE internship program is realized in order to make possible to young people from Western Balkns to exchange experiences. It is also important to provide a framework for young people in the region to gain firsthand experience about the functioning of CSOs and the work they do but also to assist in finding out and establishing innovative, youth friendly, forms and content of communication, leading to increased youth participation in civil initiatives, policy design and structured dialogue. By 20th April, the total of nine exchange programmes were reallized and four more are planned for the future. As a part of the internship programme, Ivana Ja?eva from North Macedonia spent a month in Center for Democracy Foundation. More details about her experience, and about the other interns from the región you can read on the following links:
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/12001/staziranje-u-okviru-projekta-mladi-balkana-za-evropu
http://www.centaronline.org/sr/dogadjaj/12011/blog-nase-stazistkinje
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/ryce-internship-programme-call-for-interns
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/meet-dajana-the-new-intern-in-alda-skopje
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/lda-kosovo-welcomes-the-intern-from-albania
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/the-center-for-democracy-foundation-welcomes-its-intern-ivana
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/one-month-in-lda-mostar
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/crta-introducing-daria-form-bosnia-and-herzegovina
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/xheni-shehaj-this-internship-was-invaluable
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/youth-act-are-welcoming-their-intern-ideal
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/lda-kosovo-continuing-with-the-ryce-internship-programme
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/daria-kne%c5%beevi%c4%87-one-big-and-a-million-small-hearts
Regional call for local youth organizations under the Regional Youth Compact for Europe ‘We have a say’
On 15th January 2020, the call for proposals for grant support of the ‘We Have a Say’ Youth Fund, under the Regional Youth Compact for Europe project, was launched by the Center for Democracy Foundation. The total budget for the ‘We Have a Say’ Youth Fund amounts to EUR 78,000. The funds will be used to increase the participation of youth and to strengthen local democracies, through support to local youth non-state organisations in Western Balkans. The call was closed on February 28th 2020 and the total of 64 applications were received from the entire Western Balkans.
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/youth-fund-we-have-a-say-call-for-proposals
http://www.alda-balkan-youth.eu/News/youth-fund-you-asked-we-answered
We Have A Say Youth Fun?d (RYCE Youth Fund)
Through this Youth Fund, the CDF supported 13 local organisations operating within the region (North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo*, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia) and the projects they organised aimed to increase the participation of youths and strengthen local democracy in the WB.
The following organisations presented their projects and the results achieved within their respective local communities: Art Aparat (Belgrade, Serbia), Youth Voice Network (Albania), Team 42 (Leskovac, Serbia), Eco Action (Tetovo, North Macedonia), InterLingua (Podgorica, Montenegro), NYGEA (BiH), Ogledna Bašta (Niš, Serbia), National Youth Congress (Albania), Brus Youth Centre (Brus, Serbia), Young Active Gra?anica (Gra?anica, Kosovo*), Student Union Vršac (Vršac, Serbia), Trade Union Education Centre (BiH), Balkan Development Centre (Kraljevo, Serbia).
https://politeia.institute/en/we-have-a-say-youth-fund-presenting-the-results-of-youth-projects/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKZ3YSFB7nI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aly6Z58QfbI
http://www.centaronline.org/en/event/12223/youth-fund-grant-awards
https://politeia.institute/en/youth-fund-grant-awards/
„POLITEIA Western Balkans School for Youth Participation“ 2021.
The regional POLITEIA School for youths residing in the Western Balkans and Turkey was held
The Politeia School was held from 7 to 29 May 2021 in a new, digital format (Politeia Institute platform), with approximately 30 participants, interested and dedicated young adults, a large number of prominent lecturers and experts, decision makers and representatives of academia within the region and Europe, where quality discussions were held on current topics of relevance.
The Politeia School attendees were addressed by the following speakers through panel debates and discussions: Liselotte Isaksson (European Commission, DG NEAR, Head of Sector, Society, Social Inclusion and Human Capital), Sneana Samardi? Markovi? (Director General of Democracy, Council of Europe), Jan Zlatan Kulenovi? (Director of Programs, Regional Youth Cooperation Office, RYCO), Antonella Valmorbida (Secretary General of the European Association for Local Democracy, ALDA), Prof. Dragoljub Mi?unovi?, PhD (President of the Board of Directors of FCD, former MP and President of the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia), Kori Udovi?ki (President of the BoD, CEVES, Belgrade, and former Minister of Energy and Mining of the RS Government), Aleksandar Kova?evi? (Energy expert, Belgrade), Prof. Vladimir Jankovi?, PhD (University of Manchester, Great Britain), Linda Çavdarbasha (Deputy Minister of Environment, Government of Kosovo*), Ana Marjanovi? Rudan (Public Policy Consultant, Praxis Development), Jasmina Muri? (Head of Human Resources, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, RS Government), Jovan Proti? (ILO in Serbia), ?or?o Cvijovi? (Regional Youth Cooperation Office RYCO), Marijana Koceku (WPS Albania), etc.
The following group shared their knowledge and experiences through lectures and interactive conversations with the young attendees: Ivan Vejvoda (Institute of Social Sciences, Vienna), Prof. Gordana ?urovi? (Faculty of Economics, University of Podgorica, Montenegro), Vesna Pusi?, PhD (former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Government of the Republic of Croatia), Prof. Andreas Gross (former member of the Swiss National Council and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe), Prof. Eralda Çani (Faculty of Law, University of Tirana and former Deputy Minister for Integration in the Government of Albania), Natalija Mi?unovi?, PhD (Senior Research Associate, Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade), Mirna Jusi? (PhD student at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Public Policy, Karlov University of Prague), Aleksandra Vladisavljevi? (Gender Policy and Budget Consultant), among others.
