Bosnia and Herzegovina – Recently, local activities in several cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina were organized as our team from LBO BIH visited Tuzla, Brčko, and Banja Luka. This is a continuation of the activities that started with the YPS MeetUp event in Sarajevo and the Capacity Building Training that was organized previously in Mostar.

As a prelude to this event, our team, together with UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina, hosted the Youth Voices for Peace event in Sarajevo on December 8, which focused on the YPS Agenda activities. Particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, discussions around the YPS Agenda are emerging, marking an essential step in addressing the residual impacts of the 90s war and the intergenerational trauma it inflicted. In response, UNFPA and RYCO joined forces to advance this dialogue and actively involve young people in peacebuilding. The initiative introduced a translated version of Resolution 2250 to initiate discussions, highlight ongoing efforts showcasing the capabilities of youth in addressing conflict aftermath, and examine youth policies for inclusivity. The event’s primary goal was to create a platform uniting media influence and policy-making to reinforce youth engagement in peace initiatives.

We then continued our activities in Tuzla, sometimes called the unknown NGO capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city of salt was a meeting place with our Superschools, a meeting with representatives of the local administration, and two events with young people. After the introductory session and discussion about the YPS Agenda and the mapping of actors for its implementation, we also organized RYCO Youth Coffee Talks on the topic of Culture as a catalyst for change.

We continued YPS activities a day later in Brčko, where we met with representatives of the Brčko District Government, Youth Council of Brčko District, and young people, with whom we discussed the YPS Agenda, as in Tuzla, and organized RYCO Youth Coffee Talks on the topic of YPS Agenda as an instrument of social cohesion.

Our last stop was Banja Luka, where we organized another YPS MeetUp meeting with representatives of youth and youth organizations from Banja Luka and the Republika Srpska, in order to map out actors, activities, and needs regarding the implementation of the YPS Agenda. These events were followed by a series of meetings with representatives of the French Institute in Banjaluka  and the Pedagogical Institute of the Republika Srpska.

Recognizing the complexity of the challenges addressed by Agenda 2250, RYCO is committed to adopting a multisectoral approach. By leveraging its resources and knowledge, RYCO will facilitate collaboration across various sectors to ensure a comprehensive and effective response to the diverse needs of youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in the region.

Bajina Bašta- RYCO Local Branch Office in Serbia organized on 28th October 2023. the fourth Youth Talk this year that was focused on the UN Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. This event was co-organized with the National Youth Council of Serbia (KOMS) and took place in Bajina Bašta where the Annual KOMS Assembly was held.

More than 40 young people, representatives of youth organizations and organizations for youth from all parts of Serbia discussed priorities of YPS Agenda, presented what their organizations are doing on local level under this Agenda, what are their needs in order to build their capacities and further develop activities in order to be more efficient and sustainable. Opening remarks were given by Ms. Aleksandra Mihajlović, Program Assistant in KOMS and Ms. Ivana Markulić, Program Officer in RYCO LBO Serbia: they have familiarized participants with YPS Agenda priorities, core pillars and why its implementation is crucial for youth, their position and youth policy overall, not just in Serbia but in the whole Western Balkans region. Special focus was put on the local context, why peacebuilding and reconciliation processes are important and on which way these organizations are involved in it and on which level.

This introductory part was followed by group discussions that address main YPS implementation areas: youth policies and programs, policies and programs of peace and security, foreign policy and international cooperation, education, culture and art, economic and employment policy, justice and human rights policy, gender equality, healthcare policies, environmental protection and climate change, policies in area of science and technology. Participants have developed overviews of what is done in their communities regarding these program implementation areas and what should be done more, or modified or even kept as  good practice. Conclusion of this Youth Talk was unanimous agreement that there is a need for joint actions, intersectoral and multisectorial cooperation and strategic approach towards implementation of UN YPS Agenda priorities in Serbia.

The aspiration to build an inclusive and just peace encouraged the adoption of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda. Founded in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, the Agenda emphasizes the importance of involving youth in all phases of peacebuilding, from conflict prevention to rebuilding trust and cooperation after conflict. The development of the Regional Agenda for Youth, Peace and Security for the Western Balkans is one of RYCO’s strategic priorities until 2025. KOMS also works strategically at the local level to achieve the goals set in UN Agenda 2250 and together with the RYCO office in Serbia will work on the development and implementation of the Regional Agenda in the coming period.

TIRANA- The RYCO Local Branch Office in Albania has actively supported the local initiatives of Peace Week 2023, a collaborative effort organized by the United Nations Association Albania (UNAA) in various cities across Albania from October 23 to October 29, 2023.

“Peace Week 2023” was a week-long event under the slogan of “Skills for Peace.” The local initiatives were designed to explore the concept and practice of peace from diverse perspectives and at various levels, primarily organized by young people themselves, community stakeholders, including informal youth groups and individuals.
This tradition of Peace Week focuses on fostering dialogue, youth engagement and advocacy, and the promotion of peaceful relations. The activities this year were held in Tirana, Tropoja, Lezhe, Pogradec, and Kucove, attracting the participation of several hundred young individuals from Albania.

The activities were diverse, ranging from raising awareness about cyberbullying at the grassroots level in Tropoja to promoting inclusiveness, dialogue, and collaboration through art in Pogradec. They also included reflections on peace and non-violence values through movie screenings in Tirana and fostering community activism and transforming relationships in Kucove. The event in Lezha focused on sports, encouraging teamwork, respect, and peaceful coexistence.

The event in Kucova was attended by Ms. Flutura Brakaj, RYCO’s Local Program Officer in Albania. She extended a warm welcome to the youth participants and organizers at the Youth Center, urging them to persist in their peace activism and the promotion of inclusivity. “We in RYCO always start at the very small levels and community levels, to then spread the vision and engagement further at regional levels, be that on change, cooperation, and peacebuilding efforts’ ” – she emphasized.

With the involvement of around 150 youth supporting peace initiatives and efforts at the local level, these young individuals have become catalysts for promoting peace and social cohesion within their communities.

The aspiration to build an inclusive and just peace aligns with the adoption of the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda. This agenda, rooted in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, underscores the vital role of youth in all stages of peacebuilding, from preventing conflict to rebuilding trust and cooperation after conflicts. Developing the Regional Agenda for Youth, Peace, and Security in the Western Balkans is one of RYCO’s strategic priorities until 2025. In 2021, the United Nations Association Albania (UNAA) embarked on an initiative aimed at engaging young people in peacebuilding processes, conflict resolution, and fostering intercultural dialogue within Albania and the Western Balkans region. UNAA collaborates closely with the established National Network on YPS to fulfill the objectives outlined in UN Agenda 2250. Together with RYCO’s Local Branch Office in Albania, they are working on joint activities and empowering the network to enhance local-level work while exploring prospects for regional-level engagement.