THE PROJECT FOR YOUTH MOBILIZATION FOR THE EUROPEANIZATION OF THE BALKANS BEGINS

Organizations from Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia launched on Monday in Podgorica the regional project “Youth Engagement for the Europeanization of the Balkans,” with an inaugural event held at Europe House, which brought the voices of young people to the forefront of the region’s EU integration process, KDP reports.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from representatives of the partner organizations – Milica Dedić, Executive Director of NVO GLAS from Montenegro; Lorik Idrizi, Program Director at BIRC from North Macedonia; and Drenusha Latifi, representative of CFID from Kosovo.

The project was introduced by regional coordinator Lorik Idrizi, who emphasized the vision and objectives of the initiative, which aims to empower youth across the Western Balkans through cross-border dialogue, civic participation, and the promotion of European values.

Lorik Idrizi, BIRC

One of the most notable parts of the day was the youth panel titled “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?”, where young people from Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia shared their thoughts on how the younger generation can take part in the journey toward the European Union. The panelists – Danica Sretkoska, Mojaš Kankaraš, and Rron Ukimeraj – offered personal insights into the opportunities and shared challenges faced by youth in their societies. The panel was moderated by Tijana Vojinović from Montenegro and was conducted in English, open to the public.

Milica Dedić, GLAS

“This panel is among the most important moments of the project. It’s not just about what institutions think – it’s about what young people themselves believe and hope for their future in the European family,” said the organizers in a joint statement.

Drenusha Latifi, CFID

The event continued with a thematic session led by Marija Milošević, Secretary of the Committee on European Integration in the Parliament of Montenegro, who spoke about the role of legislative institutions in the integration process and the need for it to be more understandable and tangible for citizens. “European issues and the integration process itself must be demystified – citizens need to experience them as part of daily life, not as a distant or complicated reality,” she emphasized.

Marija Milošević, Secretary of the Committee on European Integration in the Parliament of Montenegro

In conclusion, the project partners held a closed strategic session, where they discussed the next steps toward organizing the upcoming event in Skopje. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation among participating organizations, setting timeframes, and drafting a joint media coverage and communication strategy.

The “Youth Engagement for the Europeanization of the Balkans” project is supported by the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) and is expected to expand to several countries in the region, building bridges of cooperation among youth and contributing to bringing Western Balkan societies closer to the European Union.