Jan 23, 2023
Skills development in the Western Balkans 6 is crucial to the progress of the region in the EU Integration process. Interreg IPA programmes are one of the many instruments of territorial cohesion that concretely contribute on topics of digitalization, economic development, energy transition and people-to-people cross-border mobility. In the framework of the “Raising awareness on the Youth Manifesto in the WB6” initiative implemented in cooperation with DG REGIO, CDI held an event on the 23rd of January in Skopje, aiming at better understanding what’s in there for youth in INTERREG IPA Programmes in North Macedonia. The event was organised in partnership with the National Youth Council of North Macedonia, the Secretariat for European Affairs, and the Ministry of Local Self-Government in North Macedonia.
The workshop brought together youth, youth stakeholders, local and national organizations dealing with youth policies, EUSAIR representatives, and INTERREG IPA project beneficiaries with the aim to raise awareness on INTERREG IPA programmes, build youth capacities to establish partnerships, inform youth as potential beneficiaries of the strategy for the region and discuss concrete involvement opportunities.
The Executive Director of CDI, Ms. Krisela Hackaj opened the event by emphasizing that “the programmes at the external borders of the EU, such as the EUSAIR can serve to further advance youth position in the programme and policy level in the Western Balkans 6 region, and so support the Enlargement policy to progress further.”
Part of the welcoming remarks in the workshop was also Ms. Nadine Lakhal, Programme Manager at DG REGIO who presented some of the novelties of the coming funding period 2021-2027 and pointed out that, when it comes to IPA INTERREG programmes, new ways should be explored to include young people more in the decision-making process and governance of the programmes.
The panels’ discussions focused on the opportunities that Interreg IPA programmes in which North Macedonia takes part, offer for youth to contribute to the local development of the territories, good neighborly relations, as well as increased solidarity in the society.
Participants highlighted that INTERREG IPA projects in order to address youth’s main challenges need to focus on cross-border youth mobility, building partnerships and sharing knowledge to improve qualifications and skills, as well as increasing cooperation opportunities in different priority sectors.
CDI in cooperation with DG Regio and local stakeholders will organize a series of events throughout the WB6 to better inform youth on EUSAIR, INTERREG IPA and Youth Manifesto with the aim of increasing youth participation in EU territorial programmes.
Consult here:
Powerpoint Presentation:
More information about CDI’s engagement in “Raising Awareness on the Youth Manifesto in the Western Balkans” can be found here.
