Bridging Communities: The Impact of Youth360 in Cërrik and Pogradec
BY eatech
Bridging Communities: The Impact of Youth360 in Cërrik and Pogradec
January 15, 2026
The project’s success is rooted in its extensive capacity-building efforts and hands-on regional cooperation. A total of 40 youth and 20 public officials underwent specialized YPS training to ensure that decision-makers and young leaders share a common framework for peacebuilding. These theoretical foundations were put into practice through two youth exchanges and two municipal exchanges between Cërrik and Pogradec. During these visits, participants explored local youth centers and shared best practices for community impact. Furthermore, youth leaders and staff conducted an official visit to the UN and RYCO offices in Tirana, gaining direct insight into international cooperation and regional policy. Recognizing the vital role of education in long-term stability, the project also trained 15 teachers using the RYCO-UNFPA manual to institutionalize peace education within their local school curricula.
The transformation sparked by Youth360 is best captured through the personal growth of its participants. Following the YPS training in Cërrik, several young people felt empowered to take their activism beyond local borders, successfully applying for and joining broader youth exchanges across the Balkans. One participant, who was particularly moved by the sessions, shared how the project shifted her perspective from feeling like a passive observer to a proactive citizen. Seeing her peers from Cërrik and Pogradec connect so deeply, she expressed how emotional it was to witness the breakdown of regional barriers in real-time, fueling her motivation to participate in two additional regional exchanges shortly after.
This sentiment of profound growth was echoed by one of the project's trainers, who reflected on the meaningful experience of facilitating these sessions. "During this project, I had the pleasure of being a RYCO trainer within the trainings on the United Nations Resolution on Youth, Peace, and Security," noted Arbi Basho. "It has been a very significant experience, where I noticed high engagement, reflection, and a real desire from young people to understand their role in building peace and security in their communities. The discussions were open, honest, and often inspiring in how they see their future and their civic contribution." Through these measurable outcomes and heartfelt stories, Youth360 has not only taught peace but has built the human infrastructure necessary for a more united and compassionate society.
Author: Eni Isakaj, project assistant at Youth Voice Network of Organisations, Albania
Regional Youth Cooperation Office
RYCO is an intergovernmental organization that stewards and promotes regional and intercultural cooperation of young people within and among Western Balkans societies. 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. RYCO initiates and participates in policymaking and advocates for reform. It supports the development of a political and social environment that empowers and facilitates youth exchange.RYCOgnizing YPS
RYCOgnizing YPS is a RYCO granting scheme dedicated to supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Western Balkans that work with youth to advance the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) agenda. This initiative empowers CSOs to scale up ** youth-led initiatives** through actions focused on the five YPS pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement and Reintegration.The scheme places a strong emphasis on supporting youth-led and youth-responsive projects that bring tangible, localized impact at the municipal level, particularly by enhancing youth security and engagement in governance and policy-making processes.
