Lobbying, analyzing, advocating and working our hardest to overcome these obstacles is of utmost importance, especially in times of the current crisis which had a significant negative effect on the education processes in the region.

Following the 2020 activities within the Connecting Youth, coordinated by Cooperation and Development Institute, in partnership with youth councils around the WB, the High School Students Union of Montenegro, with the support of Hanns Seidel Stiftung and RYCO brought together in this online discussion a coalition of active youngsters to discuss thoroughly on how to bring the focus at their issues. We discussed the key challenges regarding non-formal education, both in Montenegro and the region. The discussion was also attended by the representative of RYCO Local Branch Office in Podgorica and the President of the Youth Network of Montenegro.

The main conclusions of the discussion indicated the following:

• • Non-formal education of youth in Montenegro should focus more on promoting tolerance, peace and diversity;

• • Youth with fewer opportunities (e.g. youth from rural areas, youth with disabilities, etc.) should have equal access to non-formal education;

• • Non-formal education programs should be more directed towards reconciliation and cooperation of youth from Western Balkans;

After we discussed what needs to be improved in terms of non-formal education, the participants had the opportunity to suggest concrete measures to reach the goals defined.