From 16 to 21 November 2025, the BalCARE Youth Forum was held in Shkodër and Tirana, Albania. The event brought together young activists and civil society representatives from the Balkans, the Mediterranean and CEI countries, with the objective to enhance youth capacity-building and transnational exchange by equipping young people with advocacy tools, knowledge on gender and environmental justice, and opportunities to develop youth-led initiatives that address shared societal challenges.
The Forum comprised two complementary phases. An online Youth Pre-Forum focused on advocacy skills, digital communication and gender equality, in order to prepare participants for the in-person activities. The face-to-face Forum, held at the University of Shkodër and Europe House in Tirana, provided a space for workshops, expert inputs and collaborative work on concrete advocacy actions.
Participants worked in thematic groups to address issues such as gender equality, environmental protection, access to rights and social justice. Guided by experts in advocacy, human rights and environmental action, they collaboratively developed advocacy campaigns combining digital tools with community-based approaches.
The Forum concluded in Tirana with the presentation of selected youth-led campaigns to institutional representatives, reinforcing young people's role as active contributors to social change.
“Prioritising the empowerment of youth is crucial to secure a sustainable and prosperous future. Challenges such as inadequate education systems and difficulties in the transition from education to the labour market demand targeted solutions.
The CEI is committed to supporting youth through capacity-building initiatives, promoting participation in decision-making and fostering skills development to enable young people to actively contribute to sustainable development.”
By fostering dialogue, peer learning and cooperation among young people from diverse backgrounds, the BalCARE Youth Forum contributed to strengthening youth participation and regional cooperation across the CEI area.
For more info: radovanovic@cei.int
