Regional Youth Cooperation Office - RYCO

23/01/2025

📢 The Diplomatic Corps Reception, hosted by the President of North Macedonia, Ms. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova , took place in Skopje, bringing together representatives of the diplomatic community and international organizations.

🤝 Represented by Secretary General Albert Hani , Head of the Local Branch Office Vladimir Gjorgjevski , and Local Program Officer Dejan Rizinski , RYCO engaged in meaningful discussions on youth empowerment, regional cooperation, and the role of diplomacy in fostering peace and unity in the Western Balkans.

💡 Together, we continue building bridges and empowering the next generation!

22/01/2025

📢 Today, RYCO welcomed delegations from the German and French Embassies in Tirana to mark the 62th Anniversary of the Élysée Treaty. Led by H.E. Karl Bergner, German Ambassador to Albania Ambasada Gjermane Tiranë , and H.E. Catherine Suard, French Ambassador to Albania Ambassade de France en Albanie I Ambasada e Francës në Shqipëri, alongside the Director of GIZ Albania Dr. Sonja Kurz, GIZ Team Leader, Mr. Jasmin Valjevac, and the Director of AFD - Agence Française de Développement, Ms. Mirela Mata, the visit highlighted the importance of Franco-German reconciliation as a model for regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.

🗣️ RYCO Secretary General Albert Hani emphasized the Treaty’s legacy and thanked Germany and France for their continued support. Head of Programs Teodora Stolevska highlighted RYCO’s achievements and upcoming initiatives, including the Youth Peace and Security Agenda, while Head of LBO Albania Kreshnik Loka showcased the local impact of regional cooperation efforts.

🤝 The delegation concluded their visit with an office tour and engaging conversations with RYCO staff, further strengthening ties for future collaboration.

21/01/2025

🗣️ Building excellence, transparency, and accountability, one step at a time! At RYCO, we strive to be a model of organizational and institutional brilliance, led by professionals who are committed to making a difference.

✅ Through innovative tools like the ERP Platform, we are reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability for all stakeholders involved in our work. This ensures that every action reflects our values, and every achievement empowers youth across the region.

🧩 Together, we’re shaping a brighter, more connected future!

15/01/2025

🗣️ RYCO Secretary General Mr. Albert Hani met with President of Albania Mr. Bajram Begaj to discuss the crucial role of youth in fostering peace, dialogue, and regional cooperation across the Western Balkans.

✅ During the meeting, Mr. Hani emphasized the need to invest in young people, recognizing them as active leaders driving positive change and reconciliation in the region today.

🧩 He shared RYCO’s ongoing initiatives, highlighting efforts to connect young people, break down barriers, and promote intercultural understanding with support from all stakeholders.

📍 President Begaj expressed Albania’s strong support for RYCO’s mission, praising the organization’s success in empowering youth and fostering unity, creativity, and sustainable development across the region.

Learn more in the link below 👇🏻

TIRANA – Peace requires collective responsibility and ongoing commitment, and the engagement of all stakeholders is crucial to ensure the sustainability and impact of RYCO’s peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts, this is the message from today’s meeting between RYCO Secretary General Albert...

13/01/2025

🗣️ Looking for an exciting new role?

✅ RYCO is hiring a Local Project Officer in Bosnia and Herzegovina!

Don’t miss this opportunity to make an impact, learn more and apply through the link below.

Sarajevo - Are you passionate about community engagement and driving meaningful change at the local level? The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is looking for a proactive Local Project Officer to join our team and lead the implementation of impactful initiatives that empower youth and foster

13/01/2025

🧩 Do you want to become a member of the team?

Here’s the perfect opportunity for you:
✅ RYCO’s Head Office is hiring a Logistics Officer.

👉🏻Head over to the link below and learn more about the vacancy.

Tirana - Are you passionate about logistics and ensuring the smooth operation of organizational processes? The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) is seeking a dedicated Logistics Officer to join our team and play a crucial role in streamlining operations, managing resources, and supporting our

09/01/2025

🗣️ Kicking off the new year with great news: we have a new Strategic Plan for 2025-2027, and it’s all about youth! Strengthening the capacities of youth organizations and institutions and equipping them to support and empower the next generation of leaders remains a top priority in our ongoing work with young people across the region.

🧩 How will RYCO lead the way as an empowering platform for youth in becoming agents of change? Visit the link below and explore the plan to learn more!

https://shorturl.at/cZXcA

31/12/2024

With YOUth by our side, every year becomes a celebration of success! 🎉 To our partners, collaborators, and the incredible young people who walked the walk with us, thank you for standing with RYCO as we achieve new milestones. Here's to 2025! 🌟 We're ready with new plans and priorities to advance youth engagement to new levels.

We're signing off for the year, let's RYCOnnect again on January 8th! 💬

Stay cool and most importantly, stay RYCOgnized! 😎✨

30/12/2024

27/12/2024

As we conclude this year’s incredible Superschools exchanges, we’re thrilled to reflect on the powerful collaborations and friendships forged across the region. 🌟

📍 Highlights of the most recent exchanges include inspiring partnerships between:
🔹 Musical School “Josif Marinković” Zrenjanin & The Contemporary - Art High School Tuzla
🔹 ASUC „Boro Petrusevski“ & Secondary Vocational School Ivan Uskoković
🔹 SGGUGS Zdravko Cvetkovski & Shkolla Teknike Elektrike ‘Gjergj Canco’
🔹 First Kragujevac Gymnasium & International Gymnasium Richmond Park International Secondary School Sarajevo
🔹 Secondary School of Economics and Trading Tuzla & Economic Trade School Bečej
🔹 IAAP “Ymer Prizreni” & Vocational School Services, Korçë
🔹 Economic-Trade School „Knjaz Miloš” & Commercial School

🧩 While we wrap up this chapter, the impact of these exchanges will undoubtedly carry on and we’re gearing up to hit the ground running with more exciting collaborations starting on January!

Stay tuned, the Superschools journey is just getting started! 💡

23/12/2024

📢 Wrapping up the Peace Broadcasters Program in Prishtina, celebrating the transformative power of journalism in peacebuilding across the Western Balkans.

📍The event began with inspiring welcoming remarks from H.E. Jörn Rohde, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany German Embassy Pristina , Donika Zogu , RYCO Youth Representative, Krenare Gashi Krasniqi , Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Prishtina, Ramadan Sokoli, RYCO Local Program Officer and Adelheid Feilcke, Director of Programs for Europe at .

🗣️ Key discussions followed, including a thought-provoking panel on “The Role of Media in Peacebuilding and Regional Cooperation,” moderated by vjosacerkini of Deutsche Welle. Esteemed speakers, including journalists Ms. Aida Cerkez Robinson, Ms. Fatjona Mejdini, and Ms. Kristina Atovska, joined Ms. Gentiana Ahmeti, the Peace Broadcasters Best Story Award Winner, to share insights on media’s impact in fostering unity.

🕊️ The evening celebrated outstanding participants with the Awarding of Best Peace Stories, recognizing their dedication to promoting dialogue and understanding through journalism.

🎉 This event underscored the vital role of young voices in shaping narratives of peace and cooperation.

20/12/2024

🫂 The Superschools Exchanges continue to thrive!

📍 We’re excited to highlight the latest exchanges across the region, where super students from these Superschools are building lasting connections:

🔹 Gymnasium Obala Sarajevo & Gymnasium Jon Buzuku
🔹 Živorad Janković High School & 18 October High School
🔹 Vocational Secondary School “Dr. Ali Sokoli” & Kristaq Capo
🔹 Secondary Vocational School Vasa Pelagić & Gymnasium “Jordan Misja”
🔹 Technical School Užice & OEMUC “St. Naum Ohridski” Ohrid

🧩 Here’s to more impactful exchanges and future collaborations across the region!

19/12/2024

RYCO started with recognizing schools, but now schools are recognizing RYCO as well! 🥳

The teachers, students and parents of the Contemporary art school in Tuzla have nominated and chosen RYCO and the Superschools program for their annual school award. This award is to those organizations who have contributed to the development of the school and those who have enriched the lives of their students. 🫂

The students have named RYCO as an important actor and Superschools as a major program in contributing to new friendships and peace in the region. We send our thank you to the Contemporary art school and wish the best to our Superschool🧩

18/12/2024

📍In the Land of the Rising Sun, 13 young leaders from WB6 embarked on a seven-day journey of discovery and connection through the MIRAI Program.

🏯 From the historical streets of Hiroshima to the charming heart of Tokyo, they explored Japan’s resilience, diplomacy, and lessons in peacebuilding. Through visits to JICA and discussions on Hiroshima’s history, this transformative experience inspired a new generation of ambassadors for intercultural dialogue and cooperation.

Read more in the article below 👇🏻

WESTERN BALKANS – Beginning of December marked the start of the lifetime journey for 13 young people from Western Balkans region, who paid official visit to Japan within “Japan’s Friendship Ties Program” – MIRAI. This is the 5th cycle of the program that Regional Youth Cooperation Office (...

17/12/2024

RYCO played a key role in the launch of the 4th generation of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) in Zlatibor, Serbia (Dec 6-8). In partnership with WeBalkans, the event focused on empowering youth to shape the future of the Western Balkans and promote regional cooperation.

A new group of 97 YEAs was selected, expanding the network to 240 young leaders committed to European values, integration, and positive change.

RYCO’s Local Program Officer Davor P. Džakula , highlighted the importance of in driving .

The 2024 YEA call also reached marginalized and isolated , ensuring . Together, these YEAs will champion EU values, foster dialogue, and build a brighter future for the region.

Zlatibor - From December 6th to 8th, RYCO played a pivotal role as a partner organization in the promotion of the 4th generation of Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) on Zlatibor, Serbia. The event, organized by WeBalkans, showcased the collaboration between RYCO and the YEA project, emphasizing the

16/12/2024

🎯Last week in Tirana, we marked the successful conclusion of the third and final module of the Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Academy. The event gathered representatives from , , and national across the Western Balkans 6.

🎯Over two days, the module provided a key platform to deepen knowledge, foster meaningful dialogue, and strengthen regional cooperation on the YPS agenda.

Check the article below for more information 👇https://www.rycowb.org/yps-regional-academy-successfully-concluded-in-tirana/

07/12/2024

🔵The 21st RYCO Governing Board (GB) meeting, organized under the Chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, took place on 6th of December, gathering governments and youth representatives from WB6 to discuss and evaluate RYCO’s results and set the plans for the upcoming period.

🔵Meeting marked the end of ’s Chairmanship of the RYCO GB, as in 2025 will assume this role.

🔵The meeting was organized in hybrid format, providing members with the opportunity to attend it through an online conferencing platform.

Read more in the article below ⬇️

The 21st RYCO Governing Board (GB) meeting, organized under the Chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina, took place on 6th of December, gathering governments and youth representatives from WB6 to discuss and evaluate RYCO’s results and set the plans for the upcoming period. Meeting marked the end o...