To draw attention to the current position of youth organizations, the Regional Conference has been organized within Youth Hub Western Balkans and Turkey Network which is coordinated by five organizations located in Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Turkey.
The aim of the conference was to raise questions about positioning organizations in pandemic and post-pandemic period, and to map the key challenges that civil sector is facing.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Liselotte Isaksson, DG NEAR, Head of Sector, Civil Society and Social Inclusion highlighted: “It is a priority for European Union to support organizations in civil sector, and that has been illustrated in new financial frame for civil society support, as well as significantly increased budget for Erasmus plus.”
„There is new grants scheme for organizations and grants are now 15.000 euros, and in that way European Youth Foundation is trying to support youth organizations,“ announced Ms. Sylvia Ivanova, the Deputy Head of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.
Furthermore, Ms. Tanja Hafner Ademi, team leader of EU funded TACSO 3 in the Western Balkans and Turkey- Technical Assistance to Civil Society Organisations said “We have to do many things to help organizations, to secure better environment for the youth organizations as well as better legislative framework for civil society organizations.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many delays to field activities and financial instability for civil society organizations, especially organizations on the local level. On the other hand, organizations are key actors in providing support to the most vulnerable groups of citizens in the field.
“To support the establishment of new funding schemes to help organizations in these difficult times. This pandemic is wake up call to reinvent regional cooperation”, said Jan Zlatan Kulenovic, Program Director of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office.
“Where is a will there is always a way. The possibilites are there. Please contact us, so we can help you, we need to cooperate better together. We are flexible and ready to support future activities of the youth organizations“, was a strong message sent by Dr. Gjergj Murra, Executive Director of the Western Balkans Fund.
The Regional Conference was organized within Youth Hub Western Balkans and Turkey Network supported by the European Commission, as part of its efforts towards continuous upgrading of relationship of public authorities with the youth. The Network is coordinated by Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation (Serbia), Prima Association (Montenegro), Mladiinfo International (North Macedonia), Partners Albania for Change and Development (Albania) and Community Volunteers Foundation (Turkey).
