21 March 2023

Youth engagement is a fundamental pillar in the EU integration process of the Western Balkans. While progress has been made in recognizing the importance of youth inclusion, concerted efforts are needed to address existing challenges and foster an environment conducive to meaningful participation. As the region progresses towards EU integration, giving precedence to empowering and engaging youth becomes imperative.

Established eight years ago with the support of Hanns Seidel Foundation, Connecting Youth platform drives the vision of supporting youth-led approaches toward transformative processes in the region, that consider youth as partners of change and resilience. Commencing its activities for 2024, Connecting Youth Partners convened in Podgorica on 17-18 March 2024 for an intensive two-day program, featuring a public event, a visit to the Parliament, and team building activities.

Bringing together key stakeholders from Montenegrin Ministry of Sport and Youth, EU integration Parliamentary Committee, the Parliament, EU Delegation and regional youth councils, the panel discussion on youth engagement provided a platform for robust debate. While discussing the different perspectives on the challenges and achievements in involving youth in EU integration efforts and in general in democratic process, panelists and discussants agreed on the need to reinforce the participatory processes and of the partnership principle.

A visit to the Montenegro Parliament and a discussion with its Secretary General, Aleksandar Klarić, offered CY partners an enlightening insight into the Parliament's accomplishments regarding inclusivity, openness, and transparency. The frank and open talk between CY partners and Mr. Klaric centered around the imperative for young individuals to actively engage in legislative and democratic processes, as well as the necessity for institutions to set constructive examples of inclusivity in the region.

After discussing youth-related developments in respective countries, CY partners laid out a comprehensive Action Plan for 2024. Through targeted stakeholder engagements and capacity-building, Connecting Youth seeks to amplify youth voices and ensure that their perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes. The 2024 Plan underscores the importance of Youth Councils advocacy and lobbying efforts to influence policy outcomes at both the national and European levels. This year CY will focus on consolidating CY network as a key partner in the dialogue with WBs and EU institutions. To this end, CY will prepare and publish a policy paper that will provide a comprehensive look at the National Youth Councils in the Western Balkans and their position in the development of the youth sector. The series of CY Vlogs and Blogs will continue to provide an opportunity for young people from the region to remain engaged, stimulate new ideas and keep high the attention for the priority topics, as well the increase the awareness of region policy stakeholders towards youth needs in those themes. CY network will continue to remain engaged and contribute to EUSAIR youth dimension development, as well as contribute to the 10th edition of Tirana Connectivity Forum 2024.

To conclude the program, a team-building session took place, designed to boost interpersonal relationships, enhance communication skills and encourage networking and collaboration. CY seeks to amplify the impact of youth bottom-up engagement initiatives in the human-capital development of the region.