REGIONAL CONFERENCE Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future
“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe” – supported by the European Union One regional conference – five cities – one vision: Belgrade · Sarajevo · Skopje · Tirana · Pristina We Are Shaping Our Shared Future — this was the theme of the two-day regional conference “Youth of the Western Balkans and European Union”, held as part of the project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” (2023–2026), organized by the Center for Democracy Foundation in cooperation with partner organizations from across the Western Balkans and with the support of the European Union. The gathering took place on 18–19 November 2025,…
Nataša Vučković – Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future
“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” Speech by Nataša Vučković at the opening of the regional conference “Youth of the Western Balkans and the European Union”, organized within the RYDE project with the support of the European Union (18 November 2025) Distinguished guests, colleagues, partners, dear friends, and especially—dear young people, On behalf of the Center for Democracy Foundation, I wish you warm welcome to this conference which in a way marks the end of a three year regional project dedicated to young people. Along these three years, young people knowledge about the European Union, about the integration challenges…
How EU Integration Can Restore the Trust of Western Balkan Youth in Democratic Institutions
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project Written by Emina Odobašić, a Intern at the Center for Democracy Foundation within the Regional Internship Program under „Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe“ project, supported by European Union During the last two decades, confidence in democratic institutions has been declining among young people across the Western Balkans. Feeling their voice does not count, opportunities are determined by corruption and political connections, public institutions do not provide equal opportunities or justice, many have grown disillusioned. Yet, amidst this overall disappointment, there is one highly shared conviction: the process of European integration can be a turning…
Politeia Thematic Session: “The role of Youth Mental Health in Building a Resilient Society”
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE The Politeia Thematic Session on “The Role of Youth Mental Health in Building a Resilient Society” was held from 12–14 November 2025, organised by Youth Act Centre from Tirana (YA), within the framework of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE), funded by the European Union. The event in Tirana gathered 12 participants from Western Balkan countries and an additional 3 participants from Albania. The activity was implemented through six thematic sessions facilitated by experts in the fields of public policy and mental health. The sessions were structured to include a combination…
The First Plenary Session of the Intersectoral Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia
Monitoring reforms on Serbia’s European path The first plenary session of the Intersectoral Working Group (IWG) for monitoring the implementation of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia was held on 13 November 2025 in Belgrade, with the participation of more than 30 representatives of civil society organizations from different parts of Serbia gathered in this newly established working group of the National Convention on the European Union (NCEU). The Intersectoral Working Group was established in order to ensure the active participation of civil society in the implementation and monitoring of the Reform Agenda of the Republic of Serbia,…
Public reading of the European Commission’s report on Serbia 2025
The EU Wants Serbia as a Member, but the Pace of Accession Is Determined in Serbia Traditional “Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2025,” European House, Belgrade (November 7, 2025) The European Commission correctly identified all the problems troubling Serbia, above all the deep and widespread political crisis, including accumulated issues in key areas – the judiciary, rule of law, freedom of assembly and the media, and the fight against corruption, participants of the “Public Reading of the European Commission Report on Serbia 2025” concluded. The event was held at the European House in Belgrade, organized by…
Without the Full Engagement of the EU and International Partners, There Can Be No Genuine Reforms
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) presented the NCEU Book of Recommendations for 2025 to H.E. Andreas von Beckerath, Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, while, on behalf of the European Commission, the Annual Report on Serbia’s Progress was presented to the NCEU. This symbolic exchange of documents reaffirms the continued recognition of the role of the NCEU and civil society in Serbia’s European integration process. This year’s edition of the Book of Recommendations was prepared at a time when, despite new support instruments and clear signals from Brussels, Serbia’s…
Promotion of Socio-Economic Rights in the Context of EU-Oriented Reforms in Serbia
Project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White”, with the support of the Olof Palme International Center With the support of the Olof Palme International Center, the Center for Democracy Foundation organized, within the project “Labour Rights and Decent Work in Socio-Economic Reforms in Serbia – Black and White”, consultative meetings of stakeholders on key issues of labour law. Together with social partners, experts from the academic community and civil society, holders of judicial functions, as well as other stakeholders, discussions were held in the context of preparations for drafting a new Labour…
CDF: Serbia is Losing Factories, Workers Are Losing Jobs – What Is the Government’s Plan?
Announcement of the Center for Democracy Foundation In just the past several weeks and months, factory closures have been announced by Kentaur in Vranje (more than 250 workers are losing their jobs), the Subotica-based factory Flender (350 workers have lost their jobs), the Trendteks factory in Bela Palanka (50 workers are losing their jobs), and the Leoni factory is closing its doors in Niš (1,900 workers will lose their jobs). Before that, Benetton, Johnson Electric, and Dräxlmaier also announced layoffs. The Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF) raises the question of what the government’s program is in a situation where it…
Internship Youth Program (RYDE)
Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE Within the regional volunteering programme implemented as part of the project Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE), funded by the European Union, ten volunteers participated, gaining knowledge and practical skills in advocacy and communication, the EU integration process, structured dialogue, and mechanisms of youth participation in decision-making processes, as well as project cycle management and event management. Through two calls for volunteers published during the second and third project years, a total of 155 applications were received, demonstrating a strong interest among young people in engaging in regional initiatives and capacity-building opportunities. RYDE…
European Academy: fostering peace and integration through youth engagement
Through the Youth Fund of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe, We are supporting regional projects that will contribute to the improvement of youth activism, participation and policy making skills at the local and national level. We are increasing the political participation of women, empowering young people for changes in the community, for dialogue, fostering peace and integration, advocating for a green future and the Youth Guarantees. Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE is funded by European Union. PROJECT: European Academy: fostering peace and integration through youth engagement Organization: AIIS – Albanian Institute for International Studies (Instituti i Studimeve Nderkombetare),…
Statement of the National Convention on the European Union on the European Parliament Resolution
National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) The National Convention on the European Union emphasizes that everything outlined in the latest European Parliament resolution on Serbia has, for months, been the subject of public warnings and statements by numerous domestic and international actors. The fact that the European Union’s highest democratic institution once again had to highlight the same unresolved and worsening issues seriously undermines the credibility of Serbia as a candidate country and sends a clear signal of stagnation in its European integration process, particularly given that the resolution was also supported by Members of the European People’s Party,…
