2025-12-03

Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth, Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE

The Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth, Culture and Cultural Heritage in the Western Balkans was held on 3 December 2025 at the ASK Center (Association for the Promotion of Culture) in Belgrade, organized by the Regional Academy for Democratic Development in cooperation with the Center for Democracy Foundation, within the three-year project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE,” supported by the European Union.

This second regional session is a continuation of the dialogue previously conducted at the national level in Serbia and was organized with the aim of enhancing dialogue between youth representatives and institutions from all Western Balkan countries, in order to jointly discuss recommendations for improving youth policies in the field of culture and cultural heritage in the Western Balkans.

During the Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth, Culture and Cultural Heritage, representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, and young people from across the Western Balkans worked together to shape regional priorities that will strengthen youth participation in cultural policy-making, ensure inclusion, and improve access to cultural opportunities.

Building on national activities and the policy recommendations previously developed in Serbia, the Regional Lab provided space for the exchange of ideas and cooperation on shared challenges in the region — from aligning legislation and financial mechanisms to cross-border cultural mobility and EU programmes.

We look forward to continuing this partnership throughout the region and working towards creating a cultural landscape where young people have a leading voice. Together, we continue building a future in which youth and culture drive positive change.

Recommendations for Decision-Makers in Serbia

This regional lab was preceded by three national policy labs in Serbia, organized by the Center for Democracy Foundation, during which representatives of youth, institutions, civil society organizations, and experts jointly formulated 14 recommendations for improving the legal and strategic framework in the field of culture and cultural heritage relevant to young people. Based on their work, the following consolidated recommendations will be addressed to decision-makers in the Republic of Serbia:

Increase and institutionalize youth participation in the development of cultural policies through amendments to the Law on Culture, the Law on Cultural Heritage, and the Law on Youth, as well as by establishing permanent dialogue mechanisms (strengthened Government Youth Council, local youth cultural councils).
Initiate public consultations on the development of a new National Strategy for Cultural Development, in cooperation with youth, civil society, and experts, ensuring clear objectives, measurable indicators, and a strong youth dimension.
Align national, youth, and local development strategies to connect cultural, educational, and youth policies at all levels of governance.
Ensure sustainable and equitable financing of culture and youth initiatives by increasing budget allocations, developing stable financial mechanisms, and establishing funds for youth cultural organizations.
Empower young people through cultural institutions and inclusive programs, turning them into spaces for education, creativity, civic dialogue, and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
Integrate green, digital, and social transition into youth cultural policies in line with European standards, international conventions, and the findings of the European Commission and KOMS, ensuring access to EU programs for culture.

The “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project is coordinated by the Center for Democracy Foundation in cooperation with partner organizations from the region and with the support of the European Union. The project aims to empower young people and civil society organizations to engage in dialogue with decision-makers in order to jointly improve youth policies in the region, to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation among young people in the Western Balkans, and to increase awareness of and support for the EU integration process of the Western Balkans.