Youth Leading the Way to Security: From Learning to Action

March 17, 2026

Conclusion What does it actually mean for young people to be involved in decisions that affect their safety?

This is the question behind the project “Youth Leading the Way to Security”, implemented by the Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society in partnership with municipalities of Raška and Priboj, and the city of Leskovac.

The project works with young people from these communities to help them better understand the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda, but more importantly, to support them in applying it to their own local context.

Starting from Local Realities

During two trainings held in February and March, more than 30 young participants from these three communities worked on identifying key issues affecting their everyday lives.

Each group, from Leskovac, Raška, and Priboj, looked at their own local context and defined up to five priorities related to safety, quality of life, and trust in institutions- Even though the contexts were different, many of the concerns overlapped, which helped participants better understand both shared challenges and specific local differences.

As one participant reflected:

“It was interesting to hear what young people from other municipalities are dealing with. Some problems are the same, but some are really specific to each place, and that helps us see our own situation more clearly.”

Developing Local Initiatives

After defining priorities, participants worked in their local groups to develop youth-led initiatives that directly respond to the issues they identified.

Each initiative is designed specifically for its community, taking into account what is realistic, relevant, and possible to implement in the coming months. The focus was not on big, abstract solutions, but on concrete actions that can make a visible difference at the local level.

From Ideas to Dialogue

The next phase of the project includes youth-led policy dialogues in each municipality. During these dialogues, young people will present their priorities and initiatives to local decision-makers and discuss possible ways forward.

This gives them the opportunity not only to share their perspectives, but also to practice advocacy, to clearly communicate their ideas, ask questions, and engage in a structured conversation with institutions.

What Has Changed

One of the key outcomes so far has been a shift in how participants see their own role.

Through the process, they gained a better understanding of how local decision-making works and how they can take part in it. For many, this was the first time they were encouraged to think of themselves as someone who can contribute to these processes.

What Comes Next

In the coming period, the project will support the implementation of youth-led initiatives, alongside communication activities that will make their work more visible in the community.

By connecting young people with local authorities and supporting them to take initiative, the project is creating space for more meaningful youth participation in issues related to peace and security.

Author: Danica Đorđević - Programme Assistant, Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society, Serbia

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.