Mar 2 – 3, 2023
Aiming to inform youth and local communities about the INTERREG IPA and EUSAIR opportunities, two events were organised in Budva and Podgorica in the framework of the “Raising awareness on Youth Manifesto in the WB6” project, implemented by Cooperation and Development Institute in cooperation with the General Directorate of the European Commission for Regional and Urban Policies and in partnership with the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro, the High School Students Union in Montenegro and the Youth Network of Montenegro.
The upcoming funding period of the new INTERREG IPA Programmes is going to provide several opportunities, especially for young people, actions to support youth and unemployed people, professional training, and creating new jobs in the field of tourism, circular economy, climate etc. Considering all the challenges that youth in Montenegro and in all the WB6 are facing, getting involved in such programmes is a great opportunity for them to develop and plan the future in their countries.
For this reason, the first event organised on the 2nd of March at the Youth Club premises in Budva was a workshop that targeted INTERREG IPA beneficiaries, local communities of programme areas, institutions and youth organisations.
“Since the publication of the Manifesto for Young People by Young People to Shape the European Cooperation Policy in 2020, a lot has been achieved. Some programmes have taken on the challenge and young people are being consulted or are part of the decision-making processes. Some still need to open up to youth and adapt their implementation. Key to this process is the understanding that youth participation is a process that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of policies” mentioned Ms Krisela Hackaj, Executive Director of Cooperation and Development Institute in her opening remarks.
As young people often find participation in EU-funded projects complicated, Ms Besiana Ninka from INTERACT was invited to this panel discussion to share with the students, concrete opportunities like INTERREG Volunteer Youth, ASOC, different online platforms etc.
Mr Dragan Durišić from of Joint Secretariat Branch Office in Montenegro of INTERREG IPA CBC Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro inspired the students to cooperate with their professors and shape their ideas through the next call for proposals.
Young people in the audience could ask questions and share their challenges with representatives from the Ministry of European Affairs and learn from the experience of youth organisations that have already implemented IPA projects in Montenegro.
While the seminar organised at the Europe House in Podgorica on the 3rd of March brought together schools, universities, local communities and INTERREG IPA programme and EUSAIR representatives to familiarize them with the concrete involvement opportunities deriving from these programmes.
The Head of Division for Interregional Cooperation and Macroregional Strategies, Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro, Ms Irena Boskovic showed her enthusiasm at the beginning of her intervention by asking youth in the audience about their ideas or needs and how these two can alter concrete call for proposal.
To represent the High School Students Union in Montenegro, Ms Lana Lješković, joined this panel discussion to break the ice in order for all the participants to bring their recommendations to respective authorities.
Ms Danijela Vujošević from the Ministry for Youth and Sports as the voice of the Montenegrin youth in the EUSAIR was asked about the youth’s role in this strategy and how youth may be included in the coming future? Ms Vujošević answered the question by asking the same question because cooperation between the institution and youth is the solution for this issue.
There is lack of capacity from one side and lack of information from the other, which is why the progress must be made both ways.
Ms Hackaj concluded the seminar by emphasizing that Montenegro has plenty of mechanisms to reach young people but the first step youth should take is to search and learn about these opportunities already existing. “I am happy that this seminar could serve to a few of you to know that there are additional mechanisms, besides the national ones, that are EU-led and willing to support your initiatives”
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:
Interreg IPA CBC Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro
Interreg IPA South Adriatic Programme
More information about CDI’s engagement in “Raising awareness on the Youth Manifesto in the Western Balkans” can be found here.
