Young people’s role in shaping territorial cooperation and regional development took center stage during the “EU Opportunity Week,” held in Serbia from 23 to 27 September 2024. Invited by the Serbian Ministry of European Integration, CDI participated in the panel “Youth in Interreg – Encouraging Volunteerism Across Regions.” The discussion highlighted the impact of the Interreg Volunteer Youth (IVY) programme in empowering young individuals to gain international experience, as well as how Interreg programmes, macro-regional strategies, and other initiatives can support youth and enhance their contributions to these efforts.
In 2023, CDI, in partnership with DG REGIO, launched a series of workshops under the initiative “Raising Awareness on Youth Manifesto in the Western Balkans.” During this journey it was noticed that the majority of youth stakeholders and participants were unaware of the Youth Manifesto and its recommendations. Despite this, government bodies and EU-supported programs throughout the region recognize the importance of including youth in these processes. This shared understanding highlights the need to tailor strategies that bring youth to the table and enable their voices to shape the region’s future.
“Our main finding on the ground is that the integration of youth not just as beneficiaries but as stakeholders should commence with the European Territorial Cooperation instruments, which better than other available instruments, tackle the social and economic convergence gaps.” – said CDI Executive Director Krisela Hackaj. “This is particular important in the WBs in light of the noticeable increase in outward youth migration. Stakeholder participation frameworks within the European Territorial Cooperation instruments must evolve and upgrade to active partnership engagement to reflect the concrete needs.”
CDI welcomed the signing of an agreement between the Ministry of European Integration and the Association of European Border Regions on Youth Volunteering in Interreg Programs as a sign of growing commitment to enable youth participation. Despite youth engagement in INTERREG programmes remains limited in the Western Balkans, there is a growing openness to youth-led ideas and partnerships, signaling a shift toward greater inclusivity. To this end, civil society plays a critical role in shaping citizen-centered policies aligning with the EU enlargement process and its demands.
To ensure long-term progress, it is essential to establish permanent entry points for youth in decision-making processes. Concrete steps, such as making youth consultation a compulsory element in Interreg programming and introducing a youth impact assessment into policy design, would mark a significant shift towards a more inclusive approach.
