Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE
The Youth Pulse Network is one of five regional informal groups whose project “Youth Pulse Network – Health Talks Forum” has received financial support through the “Active Achievement Fund 2025”, a sub-granting activity of the “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project funded by the European Union. This group is composed of five young people from Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.
The “Active Achievement Fund” aims to empower youth in the Western Balkans to participate in a structured dialogue on public policies relevant to youth, to advocate for the adoption of European values and strengthening of democratic and responsible institutions, and to promote regional cooperation and political, economic and social benefits of the EU integration for the Western Balkans societies. Support is provided through the direct payments by RYDE implementing partner organizations – Regional Academy for Democratic Development from Novi Sad, Serbia, which serve as intermediary organizations for their project.
Project background: Young people in our region face rising mental health challenges and poor access to sexual and reproductive health services. Misinformation, stigma, and lack of youth-focused policy input deepen this gap. This problem has grown since the pandemic and is worsened by a lack of youth participation in health reform debates. The project’s aim is to raise awareness among youth about mental and reproductive health and involve them in structured conversations with health decision-makers, such as Local Units of Health Care Services or Health Care Centers in localities. Through forums, surveys, and advocacy, the aim is to build young people’s confidence to speak on health issues and generate recommendations for better youth health policies.
Firstly, an online survey was conducted across three countries to assess youth knowledge, needs, and concerns regarding mental and reproductive health. The survey findings indicate that many young people face challenges related to mental and reproductive health, including stress, stigma, and limited access to reliable information and services. Responses highlight that barriers such as high costs, lack of privacy, and fear of judgment often prevent young people from seeking support. At the same time, the data shows a strong interest in learning more about topics such as contraception, mental health, and healthy relationships, alongside a clear willingness to engage more actively in discussions and decision-making processes.
“Youth Health Talks” Forums
In addition to the survey, the project implemented a series of youth engagement and dialogue activities across the region. “Youth Health Talks” forums were organized in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, bringing together young people, healthcare professionals, and institutional representatives to discuss mental and reproductive health, share experiences, and promote informed decision-making.
Co-Creation Workshop & Recommendations
Furthermore, a co-creation workshop in Tirana enabled young people to actively contribute to the development of policy recommendations, fostering participatory decision-making and collaboration with institutions. The project also established partnerships with public health institutions, ensuring the sustainability of activities and amplifying youth voices in shaping health-related policies.
CDF / RYDE
The Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe Project is implementing by the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF), Belgrade (as project coordinator) and partner organizations: Academy of European Integration and Negotiations from Tirana (AIEN); Kosovo Stability Initiative from Pristina (IKS); Association Network of Progressive Initiatives from Sarajevo (NPI); NGO Info Center from Skopje (NGO IC); Regional Academy for Democratic Development from Novi Sad (ADD); Youth Act Center from Tirana (YA). The project is funded by the European Union.
