Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO

10/10/2025

⚪️ RYCO Secretary General participated in the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held on 8–9 October 2025 in Belfast under the 🇬🇧 Presidency of the

The meeting brought together Western Balkans foreign ministers, organizations, and partners to address key priorities — security and migration, reconciliation, and regional and 🇪🇺 integration — reaffirming the shared commitment to a more connected, and Western Balkans.

08/10/2025

The Harmony Hero Awards 2025 lit up the German Residence in Prishtina, celebrating young changemakers shaping peace and unity across communities. 💫

Organized by RYCO Local Branch in and the German Embassy Pristina, the event honored Adelina Tershani, Ideal Zhaveli, Destantila Muriqi, Anes Demirovic, and the Obiliq Students’ Council for their inspiring initiative “The School I Want.”

✨ Inspiring words from the German Ambassador, Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office Jeton Zulfaj, Youth Representative on the RYCO Governing Board Donika Zogu , and Acting Head of LBO Dardana Fetahu, reflecting the strong institutional and international support for youth-led and .

The evening featured moving moments, Amina Kaja’s powerful slam poetry and Kimete Arifaj’s collaborative Tree of Heroes painting, symbolizing unity and hope. 🎨🕊️

Congratulations to the Harmony Heroes of 2025!

The German Residence in Prishtina hosted the Harmony Hero Awards 2025, honoring five remarkable young peacebuilders and, for the first time, a youth group whose efforts are making a real difference in their community. Organized by RYCO Local Branch Kosovo* in cooperation with the German Embassy in K

07/10/2025

Are you a service provider ready to support us in in Montenegro? is looking for you 🧐✅👍

Deadline 👉 06 November 2025

Learn more 👇

RYCO – The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is inviting tenderers to submit their offers for the tender "Framework agreement for the provision of travel management and other related services for the Local Branch Office of RYCO, in Montenegro". RYCO is seeking qualified service providers t

07/10/2025

Are you a service provider ready to support us in ? is looking for you 🧐✅👍

Deadline 👉 06 November 2025

Learn more 👇

RYCO – The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is inviting tenderers to submit their offers for the tender "Framework agreement for the provision of accommodation, event management and external expertise services for RYCO Head Office (HO)" RYCO is seeking qualified service providers to concl

06/10/2025

📢 Exciting Opportunity in Youth Cooperation!
RYCO is looking for the new Head of Local Branch Office (HLBO) in Tirana, Albania!

🗣️ Are you passionate about youth empowerment, regional collaboration, and positive change across the Western Balkans? Join us in leading initiatives that connect and inspire young people to build a more cooperative future for our region.

👉 Apply before November 3 and help us shape a more connected and peaceful Western Balkans!

Tirana – Are you an experienced leader passionate about youth cooperation, regional collaboration, and positive change? The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is looking for a dedicated and visionary Head of Local Branch Office (HLBO) in Albania to lead our efforts in empowering young people

06/10/2025

🕊️ From awareness to action young people in are learning how dialogue and mediation can pave the path toward peaceful communities!

📍 As part of the project “Promoting Restorative Practices and Mediation among Youth”, another inspiring info session brought together participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds to explore how understanding, empathy, and restorative approaches can transform conflicts into opportunities for connection.

💬 Through engaging discussions and interactive exercises, youth discovered the power of communication in fostering trust, collaboration, and lasting peace in their communities.

🤝 Implemented in partnership by Albanian Foundation for Conflict Resolution and Dispute Reconciliation, Women In Science Network, and .nvo , this initiative is supported by through its 6th Open Call “RYCOnnecting You(th)”.

🌐 Together, we’re empowering young leaders to build bridges, promote dialogue, and create a future grounded in respect and understanding.

03/10/2025

This week in Tirana, together with GIZ and with support from the 🇪🇺 EU and the 🇩🇪 German Government, we hosted the “Youth in Focus: High-Level Coordination Meeting.”

🤝 Around one table, 15+ international donors, WB6 National Youth Councils, and government authorities joined youth representatives to exchange plans and ensure that young voices are heard directly by policymakers and donors.

A key milestone was reached with the official handover of the Youth Donor Coordination Mechanism from to , reinforcing RYCO's role as the intergovernmental body for youth cooperation and ensuring stronger institutional ownership moving forward.
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This activity was supported as part of multi-donor project, co-financed by the 🇪🇺 and the 🇩🇪 Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with RYCO

03/10/2025

🤝🏼As part of their regional tour, RYCO Secretary General Vladimir Obradović and Deputy Secretary General Kreshnik Loka held their third meeting across the region with the RYCO Governing Board (GB), this time in Serbia.

The meeting, hosted by Ivana Antonijević, Assistant to the Minister of Tourism and Youth and Member of the RYCO GB, provided an opportunity for the new leadership to present their vision for advancing youth cooperation and strengthening regional solidarity in the Western Balkans.

They were accompanied by Senior Advisor and Head of the Local Branch Office in Belgrade, whose contributions supported a constructive exchange on strengthening cooperation, enhancing regional initiatives, and aligning future priorities with RYCO’s mission of empowering young people.

SG Obradović and DSG Loka reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that youth across the region are provided with meaningful opportunities for development, participation, and regional collaboration.

02/10/2025

🎉 11 schools from have been awarded the title of “Superschool” this year, with their projects presented at the “Meet the Superschools” event organized by RYCO. The event gathered representatives of the 🇪🇺, the 🇩🇪 Embassy, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Kosovo, and RYCO.

Opening the event, Minister of Education, Science and Technology Arbërie Nagavci highlighted the importance of building bridges among youth:

👉 “The Superschools project enables connections between our students and their peers in the Western Balkans, nurturing understanding and honest communication.”

EU Acting Head of Office in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, stressed that Superschools reflect European values in action: “dialogue, respect, and cooperation.”

Payam Ghalehdar, Policy Advisor and Chief of Protocol at the German Embassy in Pristina, underlined Germany’s commitment:

👉 “Superschools is far more than a school exchange scheme – it is a unique platform that actively fosters mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue and reconciliation among young people across the region. Germany remains committed to supporting a peaceful, connected, and prosperous Kosovo and Western Balkans.”

From RYCO’s Head Office, Superschools Project Manager Mimoza Gavrani-Simo emphasized a “decisive new phase” of exchange and cooperation, while Acting Head of RYCO Kosovo Branch, Dardana Fetahu, said these exchanges are “seeds of understanding, friendship, and peace for the future.”

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This programme is part of a multi-donor project, co-financed by the 🇪🇺 and the 🇩🇪 Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) together with RYCO.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.

01/10/2025

📍 In Sarajevo, the RISE Local Forum brought together institutions, civil society, businesses, and young social entrepreneurs for a powerful exchange on how social entrepreneurship can spark youth employment, strengthen communities, and foster regional cooperation across the Western Balkans.

🎤 Opening the Forum, Nikola Kandić , Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, called for continued investment in youth, reminding participants that every idea and every connection has the potential to drive meaningful change.

🇫🇷 H.E. François Delmas, French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighted the transformative role of social entrepreneurship in advancing eco-responsible solutions, boosting economic development, and deepening regional ties.

💡 From the local perspective, Adem Lisičić, Project Manager at , reflected on the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs and nurturing environments where their ideas can thrive.

📊 Ardita Bonatti, RISE Project Manager, shared key achievements, including support for young social entrepreneurs in ideation and incubation, financial grants, and regional mobility opportunities.

✨ The Sarajevo Forum opened doors for future cooperation, reaffirming social entrepreneurship as a driver of solidarity, innovation, and positive change across the Western Balkans.

01/10/2025

🗣️ Are you a young professional in Albania’s civil society sector looking to sharpen your project management skills and make an impact?

📍 Local Branch Office Albania, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Tirana (FES), invites you to a Capacity Building Training for Young Professionals in Durrës!

🧩 Over four days, 15 motivated young professionals will come together to learn, collaborate, and advance the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.

✅ Strengthen your project management skills
✅ Gain practical tools for impactful regional projects
✅ Connect with peers from Albania’s CSO sector
✅ Build knowledge on peacebuilding and regional cooperation

📅 Join us in Durrës, October 28–31, 2025
📝 Apply by October 15, 2025 (23:59 CET)

✨ Don’t miss this opportunity to grow your skills and contribute to building peace and cooperation in the region!

Local Branch Office Albania, in collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Tirana (FES), invites motivated young professionals from Albania’s CSO sector to join a four-day capacity building training in Durrës. Dates: 28 – 31 October 2025 Location: Durrës, Albania Registration deadline: Octobe

29/09/2025

🤝 This month, RYCO Leadership had the pleasure of meeting with the RYCO Governing Board (GB) in , represented by Hajrulla Çeku- Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, and Donika Zogu - Youth Representative in the RYCO GB.

The Governing Board congratulated the newly appointed Secretary General, Vladimir Obradović, and Deputy Secretary General, Kreshnik Loka, expressing their commitment to continued collaboration for the benefit of youth across the region.

In the spirit of the Berlin Process Youth Forum held in Pristina, new leadership joined by the Senior Advisor and Acting Head of the RYCO Office in Pristina, also discussed and focused on aligning upcoming activities under Kosovo’s chairmanship of the Governing Board.