Written by Ivan Durgutov, Young European Ambassador from North Macedonia
Upon the invitation of the Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies (Fundacja Instytut Studiów Wschodnich), YEA Ivan Durgutov established a cooperation around the two organizer’s milestone events and their 2026 editions: the XI European Congress of Local Governments, held in Mikolajki, Poland, in March and the XXXV Economic Forum, held in Karpacz, Poland in September.
The two consecutive invitations highlight the growing cooperation between WeBalkans and the Polish Foundation, while showcasing the value of connecting young people from the Western Balkans with European decision-makers, local leaders and influential regional platforms. These two renowned events provided valuable opportunities to bring the perspectives and experiences of young people from the Western Balkans to prominent European platforms.
At the spring event in Mikolajki, Ivan joined a panel alongside mayors and youth representatives from across Europe. In September, at the Economic Forum in Karpacz, he spoke alongside CEOs, academics and fellow youth leaders, sharing his experience of working with young people across the Western Balkans and discussing how younger generations are increasingly shaping public life, institutions and the European integration processes. His message was clear: young people should not only be included in decision-making, they should be trusted as partners and recognised as an advantage.
The Economic Forum, widely known as the “Polish Davos”, is an independent and impartial platform dedicated to fostering political and economic cooperation between the European Union and its neighbours. For more than 30 years, it has developed into an important space for dialogue between East and West, bringing together political leaders, business representatives, academics, civil society, journalists and other influential voices. Its annual programme features hundreds of discussions addressing key European and global challenges, ranging from politics and economic development to civil society, sustainability and security.
The cooperation between the Western Balkans and Poland as an EU Member State also carries a broader significance. Poland’s transformation and European integration offer an important example of how EU membership and the integration process can contribute to profound political, economic and social change. For the Western Balkans Six, Poland’s experience provides valuable lessons and demonstrates the transformative potential of the European project.
By connecting young people from the Western Balkans with European leaders, institutions and influential platforms, initiatives such as this cooperation contribute to strengthening regional dialogue and ensuring that the voices of the next generation are part of Europe’s ongoing conversation about its future.ent and
