Hana Kunić, Young European Ambassador from Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hello! My name is Hana Kunić, and I am a Young European Ambassador (YEA) from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alongside my colleagues from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations—Rexhina Pelivani from Albania, Emina Balota from Montenegro, Sava Dokmanović from Serbia, Marija Bugieva from North Macedonia, and Fatbardh Kabashi from Kosovo—I had the privilege of attending the YEA Award Ceremony in Zlatibor, Serbia.

As many of you know, the Young European Ambassadors Network was established in 2020 to bring together young activists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Over the years, this network has grown into a powerful movement, uniting three generations of changemakers who work tirelessly to inspire positive change in their local communities, the Western Balkans, the European Union, and beyond.

However, on 6 December, our YEA family grew even larger as we welcomed new members from the 4th generation of Young European Ambassadors. During the YEA Award Ceremony, we celebrated the expansion of our network, which now proudly includes 240 dedicated young leaders ready to inspire change in all fields of their work.

The event, held from 6 to 8 December, was a great opportunity for our newest colleagues to gain insights into the YEA Network’s mission and their important role within it. They were introduced to the impactful initiatives and campaigns implemented by WeBalkans, which have been at the heart of our network’s activities.

Beyond this, participants had the chance to connect with our long-standing partners, including RYCO (Regional Youth Cooperation Office), the Regional Cooperation Council Youth Lab, the Council of Europe, and the College of Europe. These partners have supported the YEA Network since its beginnings, and they offered our new ambassadors valuable information about opportunities available to them.

Furthermore, the event emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Young European Ambassadors and EU Delegations in Western Balkan countries, highlighting our shared commitment to fostering regional development and cooperation.

A significant part of the event focused on equipping participants with practical skills in areas such as social media management, project development, and leadership—essential tools that will empower them throughout their YEA mandates. Even for us, the more experienced generations, the sessions offered valuable new knowledge and fresh perspectives.

Of course, a youth event is only complete with moments of fun, joy, and connection. Through engaging activities and informal gatherings, we had the chance to meet each other, build friendships, and learn even more about the future potential of our network.

This event in Zlatibor was truly unforgettable—a celebration of our shared mission, growth, and the energy that drives us forward, and it was an honour to be part of it.

To our newest YEA members, I extend my warmest congratulations once again on achieving this well-deserved title. Remember: “The network will give you as much as you give to the network.”

Let’s continue to inspire, collaborate, and create a better future—together.