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Author: WeBalkans

Anissa Ahmetovic

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: Serbia Interests: International Relations

Anissa Ahmetović was born and raised in Berlin, Germany, with strong ties to the Balkans through her heritage. In 2022–2023, she served as one of four school representatives organizing “World Café” discussions on topics such as society, women’s rights, and international conflicts. She also initiated projects to improve her school, including adding a basketball court and a second water dispenser. As a member of the Children and Youth Parliament in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, Anissa participated in international exchanges with Poland, Israel, and Japan to promote cultural understanding. Currently, she volunteers in Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she explores her personal and cultural background. Anissa enjoys debating and researching complex issues to better understand diverse perspectives.

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Emilija Bojić

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: Serbia

Interests: Human Rights

Emilija Bojić is committed to building a future where everyone enjoys equal rights, regardless of their background. She founded the ‘Community Fridge’ initiative, which combats food waste while supporting vulnerable groups through public food-sharing fridges. Since 2021, Emilija has been active in the European Youth Parliament and currently serves as an Executive Board Member responsible for fundraising. In this role, she leads grant writing, corporate fundraising, and stakeholder communication to promote inclusion, diversity, and democracy in a sustainable way

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Maša Čežek

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: Serbia Interests: Climate and Environment

Maša Čežek is driven by a strong belief in European values and brings over ten years of experience in activism. She has actively participated in numerous international projects involving participants from the Western Balkans, Europe, and beyond. Her passion and commitment to promoting European values continue to grow.

Maša is dedicated to supporting the development and growth of the region by spreading a mindset centered on European values, aiming to contribute actively to this cause in Serbia.

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Marija Milićević

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: Serbia Interests: Media, Arts and Culture

Marija Milićević is a passionate activist committed to improving her community through environmental and social projects. She focuses on promoting European values among youth and has experience organizing workshops and events that bring together young people from diverse backgrounds to foster dialogue and collaboration. Marija plans to launch a campaign empowering youth to exchange ideas and develop skills.

Believing in the power of community and activism as tools for change, she aspires to create a supportive environment where young people can grow and achieve their dreams. Marija looks forward to learning from others and working collaboratively to drive positive societal impact.

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Dušan Simonović

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: Serbia Interests: Science

Dušan Simonović is a biomedical engineering student from Novi Sad, originally from Niš. After spending a year of high school in Wales, he returned to Niš before moving for his studies. Passionate about both engineering and human sciences, Dušan has actively promoted engineering through volunteering at job fairs and organizing biomedical engineering events. His involvement with the European School of Debating in his third year broadened his perspective and created lasting memories.

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Teodora Jolakoska

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: North Macedonia Interests: Education and Sports

Teodora is a project manager, educator, dance teacher, and youth advocate from North Macedonia. She holds an MBA from London Metropolitan University and a Master’s degree in Monetary Economics, Finance and Banking from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University. Despite her academic background in finance, she has dedicated her career to creating inclusive opportunities for children and young people, using education, culture, and creativity as tools for empowerment. With over 22 years of experience in dance, Teodora leads Eureka Dance Company and Eureka Cultural Center, working with more than 400 children, including those with disabilities, and has represented North Macedonia in international programs.

Passionate about learning and making a positive impact, she continues to grow and lead initiatives that foster inclusion and youth engagement. As a Young European Ambassador, Teodora is driven by the belief that meaningful change begins with empowering children and youth to find their voices and shape a better future.

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Katarina Marinković

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: North Macedonia Interests: International Relations

Katarina Marinković is a Master’s student in European Politics and Society, enrolled in a joint program that has allowed her to live and study in Prague, Krakow, and Barcelona. She holds a double major in Political Science and International Affairs from George Washington University in Washington DC, where she was a scholar-athlete on the tennis team and a member of the Leadership Academy.

Katarina’s academic and professional interests focus on EU integration and enlargement to the Western Balkans, peacebuilding, and human rights advocacy. She has participated in numerous traineeships, workshops, and political conferences, including Erasmus+ training programs. As a research assistant at the Eurasia Center in Washington DC, she authored the article “The Impact of Chinese Investment in Serbia,” which was published on the organization’s website.

During her Master’s studies, Katarina served as an official student visitor to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. She engaged in meaningful discussions with senior experts on topics related to the EU, particularly enlargement to the Western Balkans.

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Stefan Atanasovski Trajkovic

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA, YEA of the month.

Country: North Macedonia

Interests: International Relations, Climate and Environment, Human Rights

Stefan is a youth activist and researcher from North Macedonia studying International and Intercultural Relations, with a strong commitment to European integration, climate justice, peace and security, and anti-corruption initiatives. He also has experience in journalism. Recognized by Commissioner Marta Kos for his contributions to promoting European values, Stefan is a member of the Youth for Enlargement Network of DG ENEST, the UN Youth Advisory Board of North Macedonia, and the OSCE Mission to Skopje Youth Advisory Group. Since high school, he has engaged in projects on children’s rights, youth employment, digital transformation, and electoral reforms, volunteering with the Institute for Good Governance, Euro-Atlantic Perspectives, and UNICEF-led initiatives. He is also engaged in European-level initiatives, including contributing to the Our Democracy Report by the Our Rule of Law Foundation (Netherlands), which is the 2026 national winner of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize.

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Bojan Ristovski

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: North Macedonia Interests: Health and Sustainability

Bojan Ristovski is an experienced activist with over 11 years of dedication to youth empowerment. He was recognized with the “13th of November Award” for his work improving the lives of young cancer survivors in North Macedonia.

Professionally, Bojan is a social media manager and content creator with more than a decade of experience in building engaged communities and driving positive change. Passionate about connecting and empowering young people across the Western Balkans, he thrives in environments where he can make a visible impact.

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Sedef Kjamili

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in YEA.

Country: North Macedonia

Interests: Business and Entrepreneurship

Sedef Kjamili is a motivated master’s student in computer engineering at Istanbul Technical University, with a strong interest in artificial intelligence and data-driven research. She combines technology, social entrepreneurship, and activism to drive positive change. She currently works in a university lab, focusing on AI applications. She is a two-time winner of the NASA Space Apps Challenge and leads initiatives connecting refugees with local communities as CEO of Migport. She completed an AI internship in Barcelona through Erasmus+ and has participated in international hackathons, including EUvsVirus. Sedef is also passionate about empowering youth through coding and technology education.

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