09 –15 October 2024, Berlin, DE
Are you a young visionary from the Western Balkan who is passionate about shaping the future of your community and the region? Do you want your voice to be heard by decision makers on a larger platform? This is your chance to make a real impact!
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Berlin Process, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) in collaboration with the Bürger Europas e.V., and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, invites you to join a distinguished international youth exchange “Being Active – The Participation of Young People for a Democratic Future”. This initiative will bring together 30 young participants from Western Balkan 6 (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) along with participants from France, Poland, and Germany. This exchange will explore how young people can engage in local politics and civil society to build a peaceful, democratic, and sustainable future. By examining recent German history, the exchange will address the challenges of reconciliation in a changing society. Participants will have the opportunity to meet young politicians from the German Bundestag and representatives from civil society, discussing youth participation and the role of local politics within the EU.
The youth exchange with culminate with your participation at the WB6 Youth Forum 2024, a signature annual event organized in the margins of the Berlin Process Summit, on 13-14 October. The Youth Forum is not just an event; it’s a platform that empowers young minds like yours to actively participate in shaping the future of the Western Balkans region through meaningful engagement in the EU integration process. By bridging the gap between young people and decision makers, the WB6 Youth Forum ensures that your perspectives are heard at the highest levels of decision-making.
About RYCO
RYCO is an intergovernmental organization which promotes reconciliation, peacebuilding and cooperation between youth of the Western Balkans through different mobility programs. The Agreement on the Establishment of RYCO was signed by the six Western Balkan prime ministers during the Berlin Process, Paris Summit on 4 July 2016.
RYCO’s programs focus on creating opportunities for young people to engage in activities that build mutual understanding and reconciliation in the civic, social, educational, cultural, and sports domains.
About Bürger Europas
Bürger Europas e.V., is a non-profit and non-partisan association founded in Berlin on December 11, 2001, dedicated to fostering European unity and promoting active civic engagement across the continent.
The organization engages citizens in the European unification process through a variety of activities, including conferences, seminars, educational trips, youth meetings, and innovative internet projects. With a strong network of partners across Europe, Bürger Europas e.V. has successfully carried out over 200 to 300 events annually, reaching more than 1.5 million participants.
Who Can Participate:
We are looking for young changemakers aged 18-30 who are citizens of the Western Balkans 6 with the following selection criteria:
- Aged 18 to 30 years old
- Proficient in English
- Interested or actively engaged in political, cultural, or social initiatives at the local and/or Western Balkan level
- Available to participate for the entire duration of the program
- Willing to contribute actively to the program
- Experience in regional youth cooperation will be considered an asset
All costs related to travel, accommodation, meals and programme costs will be covered by organizers.
The deadline for applications is 25 August 2024 at 23h59 CET time. Only selected participants will be notified.
Application Process:
Contact point:
Should you have any inquiries, kindly direct them to the following email address: applications@rycowb.org with subject: WB6 Youth Forum 2024
*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.