Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO

24/07/2025

🗣️ From conversation to transformation, youth across the Western Balkans are shaping a more peaceful tomorrow through RYCO’s 6th Open Call, RYCOnnecting You(th)!

📍 In and , young people are at the forefront of promoting understanding and reconciliation through the project “Promoting Restorative Practices and Mediation Among Youth”, implemented by , , and .nvo

🗣️ In Skopje, youth gathered to explore how dialogue and empathy can prevent conflict and strengthen community bonds through interactive activities focused on restorative practices.

📍 In Berane, 25 young participants joined the “Youth Voices for Restorative Conflict Resolution” session, where they learned how active listening, non-violent communication, and mediation can transform everyday tensions into opportunities for connection.

🌐 With each local gathering, this project amplifies youth-led efforts to build bridges, deepen mutual respect, and inspire meaningful engagement throughout the region.

24/07/2025

⏳ 5 Days Left to Apply – Deadline: 28 July!

Start today, great stories don’t take forever.

Are you aged 18–30 and from the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia, or Moldova?

📝 Submit your story (700–1100 words in English) on how your community is navigating the shift to a greener economy.

🏆 Three awards: • A paid internship at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna • A fully covered field mission with Bankwatch • A fully covered spot in the Climate Journalism Training with CAN Europe in Ohrid (1–3 Sept)

📢 Winning stories will be published and presented at the Energy Community Just Transition Forum.

Apply now 👉 https://www.energy-community.org/secretariat/sustainability/award.html

Organised by the Energy Community Secretariat, with Bankwatch, CAN Europe, CLEW and RYCO Media partner: Balkan Green Energy News

24/07/2025

Do you remember the excitement of these exchanges? 😎🤝

📍 The story of the British Gymnasium of Technology Pristina and the Secondary Vocational School of Berane is all about connection. Two schools, two communities that came together to collaborate, learn, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

🗣️ In workshops, teamwork challenges, and shared moments, students bridged differences and built friendships that go far beyond borders.

🧩 Let’s celebrate another success story from the 3rd cycle of !

Stay tuned there’s more to come.

📍The Superschools programme is part of a multi-donor project co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).

15/07/2025

🗣️ Still wondering if Superschools is worth it? Here’s your answer.
The exchange between First Kragujevac Grammar School and Richmond Park International School shows exactly why you should be part of this experience.

🫂 Students didn’t just visit a new school, they built connections, solved real-life challenges together, and learned from each other in ways that go far beyond the classroom.

🤝 This is what Superschools is all about: teamwork, discovery, and friendships that don’t fade when the program ends.

⏳ And this is your LAST chance to join! Applications close today, don’t miss your moment to be part of something bigger.

📍The Superschools programme is part of a multi-donor project co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).

12/07/2025

📲 Superschools is calling, are you picking up?
Only 4 days left to apply and turn your idea into reality.

Don’t miss the call. 💡

📍The Superschools programme is part of a multi-donor project co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).

11/07/2025

In moments of remembrance, we stand in solidarity with all those who have experienced deep loss and pain. We honour the memory of innocent lives lost and extend our heartfelt support to the families and communities who continue to carry the weight of the past.

RYCO remains committed to fostering dialogue, peace, cooperation, and reconciliation across the region. We believe that acknowledging the past with dignity and compassion is essential to building a more united, inclusive, and resilient future for all.

May remembrance continue to guide us on the path toward mutual understanding and lasting peace.

10/07/2025

🕊️ Do you know a young person or group making a real difference in their community? The Harmony Hero Award 2025 is calling for nominations!

✨Together with the German Embassy in Kosovo, RYCO Local Branch in is thrilled to launch the third edition of this award, recognizing inspiring youth who are building peace, fostering reconciliation, and bravely addressing the past.

🎨 From creative arts to tech innovations, grassroots activism to everyday acts of kindness, if it’s about bringing people together, it deserves to be seen.

📩 Apply now by sending your nomination to [email protected].
Full info and forms available at rycowb.org

Open Call for Nominations: Harmony Hero Award 2025 Organized by RYCO Local Branch Kosovo* and the German Embassy in Kosovo For the third consecutive year, RYCO Local Branch Kosovo and the German Embassy in Kosovo are proud to launch the Harmony Hero Award, a recognition of young individuals and

08/07/2025

🌟 This Superschools success story comes from the exchange between Petro Sota and Secondary Electro-Economic School Bijelo Polje, two vocational schools that turned learning into something truly unforgettable.

💡 During the exchange, students rolled up their sleeves and worked together on real-world challenges, sharing ideas, discovering new cultures, and learning from one another in the most hands-on way.

🤝 More than 20 young people took part, proving that vocational education isn’t just about skills, it’s about connection, confidence, and creating something meaningful together.

🎥 Want to experience moments of fun, learning, and friendship like this? Don’t miss your chance apply before July 15 and be part of the next Superschools journey!

📍The Superschools programme is part of a multi-donor project co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO).

04/07/2025

🎥 For RYCO’s 9th birthday, we’re spotlighting the people behind the story, our Heads of Local Branch Offices Kreshnik Loka , Marija Bulat , Krenare Gashi Krasniqi , Edin Koljenovic, Vladimir Gjorgjevski and Nikola Kandic.

🫂 From those who helped build RYCO from the ground up to those who’ve brought in fresh energy and new perspectives, they share their thoughts on how it all started, what we’ve achieved, and what’s ahead.

🎂 Consider this a teaser-sized birthday surprise, the full story is yet to come!

04/07/2025

🌟 Celebrating 9 Years of RYCOnnecting

📍 Swipe through to explore the milestones and impact we’ve achieved together across the Western Balkans

🫂 From hundred of youth exchanges to powerful partnerships and lasting friendships, thank you for being part of this incredible journey

🧩 Here’s to many more years of cooperation, connection, and youth-led change!

03/07/2025

📢 Change is gaining ground across the Western Balkans with more inspiring actions from RYCO’s 6th Open Call, RYCOnnecting You(th)!

This time, young voices from raised awareness about accessibility and inclusion through the powerful local initiative “Limited Mobility,” led by .

🦽✈️ Through symbolic public actions like “Flying Wheelchairs” and “Obstacles in Space”, these young changemakers creatively highlighted the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities, elderly citizens, and young parents navigating the city with strollers.

📍 The initiative culminated in an interactive exhibition and community dialogue at the Mobile Montage Gallery, where citizens shared experiences and identified the most problematic locations on a city map, laying the groundwork for tangible advocacy with local authorities.

🎨 Supported by youth passion, artistic activism, and civic solidarity, this initiative made invisible barriers visible, calling for empathy and lasting change.

02/07/2025

Strengthening the voice of Local Youth Councils!
From 26–28 June, LYC members from Northern Albania gathered in Shkodër 📍 to grow their role in local decision-making and community life.

Through non-formal education, they explored youth participation, advocacy, project planning, and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda 🕊️. Each participant left with a clear goal: to take action on a local issue through their LYC - with follow-up support coming later this year 🔄.

Organised by RYCO LBO in Albania and OSCE Presence in Albania with support of the Minister of State for Youth and Children Bora Muzhaqi .