Author: WeBalkans

By Dragana Vučković

As a Young European Ambassador to the Western Balkans, I often find myself inspired by the countless ways in which meaningful partnerships between the European Union and local communities bring about lasting change. One such occasion was my recent visit, together with my fellow Young European Ambassadors Alen and Mehmed, to Primary School “Izet Šabić” in Vogošća (Bosnia and Herzegovina). This visit gave us the opportunity to witness firsthand the remarkable transformation of the school’s sports hall, a project fully financed by the European Union. Walking into the newly renovated facility, I immediately felt the positive energy that radiated not just from the bright and modern interior, but from the smiling faces of students and teachers alike. This was more than just a construction project—it was a tangible investment in the future of young people, and by extension, the future of society as a whole.

We were warmly welcomed by the school’s principal, Mr. Medžid HASKOVIĆ, who passionately spoke about the significance of this initiative. He emphasized how crucial the renovation was for both students and staff. “This project is extremely significant for our students,” he told us, “because they now have the opportunity to develop their sports talents in safe and modern conditions. This is an investment in their future—and consequently, in the future of our society.” Indeed, the transformation is impressive. The entire sports hall has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. The works included the complete renovation of the gymnasium, changing rooms, restrooms, roof, equipment storage, and teachers’ rooms. Every part of the facility now reflects the high standards that were applied throughout the project, meeting both European and other relevant regulations for such spaces.

Of particular note is the installation of brand-new sports elastic flooring. The previous flooring was outdated, worn-out, and even hazardous. Now, the gym features high-quality elastic flooring that not only ensures safety but also enhances performance and usability. This flooring meets European standards and offers a professional surface for a wide range of physical activities.But the renovation went far beyond the floor. Painting and decorating works have breathed new life into the facility, while major construction, ceramic, and carpentry efforts have modernized and structurally fortified the space. Waterproofing and electrical systems were also replaced, ensuring that the facility will remain functional, safe, and sustainable for years to come.

During our visit, I had the chance to speak not only with Mr. HASKOVIĆ, but also with several teachers and students who shared their enthusiasm and gratitude. It was moving to hear how this upgraded space is already having a positive impact on day-to-day school life. Teachers now have an environment that enables them to deliver higher-quality physical education classes, while students feel more motivated and engaged during sports and extracurricular activities. The joy was palpable. One teacher, Minela DERVIŠEVIĆ shared how students who previously avoided gym classes due to the poor condition of the old hall are now eagerly participating and even exploring new athletic interests. As other teacher told me,  group of students proudly told him about their dreams of becoming athletes, coaches, or physical education teachers—and how this new gym gives them a real platform to start pursuing those dreams. School staff mentioned that parents, too, have expressed appreciation for the investment. They see the renovated sports hall not just as a space for physical activity, but as a place that teaches discipline, teamwork, and resilience—skills that will benefit their children throughout life.

As we walked through the hall, I could sense that this was more than just a school improvement—it was a community milestone. Mr. HASKOVIĆ expressed his deep satisfaction with the work done, emphasizing that the project has greatly improved the working and learning conditions for everyone involved. “We are sincerely thankful to the representatives of the European Union,” he said, “for their support and vision. This is proof that when we work together, we can create real opportunities for our children.”

As a Young European Ambassador, moments like this reaffirm my commitment to promoting the values of cooperation, solidarity, and investment in young people. This project stands as a clear example of how EU-funded initiatives can directly improve the lives of citizens in the Western Balkans, while also fostering a shared sense of purpose and belonging within the European family. I truly enjoyed this visit—not just because of the beautiful new facility, but because of the people I met. Their excitement, optimism, and appreciation reminded me why we do this work. It’s easy to talk about infrastructure and policy, but it’s the human stories—the students finding joy in sports again, the teachers feeling empowered in their roles, the parents seeing a better future for their children—that really capture the essence of meaningful change. This visit also reminded me that every investment in education and youth is an investment in peace, progress, and prosperity. The renovated sports hall at Primary School “Izet Šabić” is not just a gym—it’s a space of hope, growth, and potential. It’s a symbol of what can be achieved when institutions and communities come together with a shared goal.

On behalf of the Young European Ambassadors and as someone who deeply values regional cooperation, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to the European Union for supporting this initiative. I also want to commend the school leadership, staff, and local community for their dedication to creating a nurturing and dynamic environment for students. Let this project serve as a reminder of how far we can go when we work together—and as an inspiration for similar efforts across the Western Balkans and beyond.

By Edlira Dibrani, Young European Ambassador from Kosovo

This World Environment Day, I find myself reflecting on one of the most rewarding and energizing journeys I’ve taken as a Young European Ambassador – a journey that began with a conversation in Prishtina and grew into a cross-border environmental movement uniting youth across Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. It started when I first met Zlatka Kuvendjieska from North Macedonia. We connected instantly over our shared passion for the environment and our desire to create change that reaches beyond national borders. Together, we launched the Green Bridge Initiative – a campaign designed to connect countries, communities, and young changemakers across the region. Soon after, we were joined by Marija Burgieva (North Macedonia), Vuk Stanojev (Serbia), and later by other passionate youth from our YEA community. The campaign quickly evolved into a collaborative force for good — showing that youth cooperation can become a strong foundation for environmental action in the Western Balkans.

Connecting Through Action

In Kosovo, I organized a 7-Day Eco Challenge, where each day I focused on small but meaningful environmental actions — walking in nature, organizing litter clean-ups, planting trees, and reducing single-use plastics. We also celebrated World Health Day with a special “Talk and Walk” activity in Germia Park, where we brought together teens for conversations on health, sustainability, and the importance of reconnecting with nature. Zlatka carried this spirit of action into North Macedonia, where she visited Eko-svest in Vevchani to learn about biodiversity protection and environmental education. Her efforts culminated in a large-scale clean-up at Lake Ohrid in Radožda, organized in collaboration with local diving clubs Norkac and Ezerski Puls. The event brought together over 100 volunteers from across Struga, Ohrid, Serbia, and Albania, showcasing the incredible impact of cross-border solidarity. Meanwhile, Marija and Vuk focused their efforts on raising awareness around zero-waste principles and sustainable waste management in Novi Sad and Skopje. Through community engagement, research, and blog writing, they explored the challenges of public waste systems and the possibilities for a circular economy in our region. Their blog on the subject offered insights into how even individual actions can make a difference – a key value of our initiative.

But they didn’t stop at learning – they acted. Both Vuk and Marija took part in hands-on clean-up efforts in Novi Sad and Skopje, where they mobilized their communities to care for shared public spaces. These events were powerful examples of how theory and action can go hand-in-hand, and how collaboration can transform awareness into change.

We also had the chance to collaborate with DyVo Lab, a Kosovo-based startup using tech to promote sustainable innovation  a-nother step in building bridges between environmental action and digital creativity.

A Shared Vision, A United Region

For all of us, the Green Bridge Initiative has become more than just a campaign. It’s a movement rooted in trust, cooperation, and the belief that we are stronger together, not just as individuals, but as countries working in unity for a common cause. As we celebrate World Environment Day, I am proud of how far we’ve come- not only in cleaning lakes, walking forests, and spreading awareness – but in building a foundation for lasting, regional cooperation. The friendships we’ve formed and the bridges we’ve built are proof that the environment can be a unifying force. And this is just the beginning. We are committed to growing this initiative, expanding our reach, and continuing to show that the youth of the Western Balkans are ready, not just to imagine a greener future, but to create it. The bridge is built. And it’s only getting stronger.  

By Selda and Martin – Young European Ambassadors from the Western Balkans Europe Day in Brussels? At first, it might sound like it’s all about red tape and serious faces behind glass offices. But in reality, it’s quite the opposite. Imagine 15,000 people walking through the doors of EU institutions, live music playing in the background, hands full of sweets and brochures, and curious minds exploring everything from quizzes to VR stations. That’s the Europe Day we experienced, and this is the story of how six Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) from the Western Balkans spent three unforgettable days in Brussels.

 Day 1 – Open Doors, Open Minds

Every year on May 9th, the EU celebrates the anniversar y of the Schuman Declaration- when, in 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed a new form of European cooperation to prevent future wars. That idea became the foundation for today’s European Union. To mark this day, EU institutions in Brussels open their doors to the public to bring EU citizens closer to the decision-making bodies that shape their lives. This year, we. YEAs from Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo* were right there in the middle of it all. At our joint stand inside the European Commission’s Berlaymont building, we presented the Young European Ambassadors Network in a “Living Library” format. We spoke with visitors of all ages about our home countries, the work we do as YEAs, and how our region contributes to the European story. Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib even stopped by to see our activities! Yes- on that day, we basically worked for the European Commission like it was no big deal! It was a surreal yet empowering experience. Across the institutions, various EU agencies set up engaging, interactive booths filled with games, installations, and quizzes, turning a day of civic engagement into something that felt more like a festival. Day 2 – Museums, Stories, and Lightbulb Moment We began the second day at the House of European History. Now, we’ll be honest- some of us usually only visit museums when it rains. But this one was something else. It’s not your classic dusty exhibition hall; instead, it takes you on a stunning visual journey through Europe’s past—from revolutions and wars to unity and modern-day challenges. Our favorite moment? A towering installation that stretches across all the museum’s floors. As you walk up, you move through the layers of European history, discovering how ideas, people, and events have shaped the continent. Standing there, it rea lly hit us: the Western Balkans have always been part of this story- culturally, historically, and humanly. We may not be “inside” the EU just yet, but our place in the European narrative is undeniable. Later, we headed to the Parlamentarium, the European Parliament’s interactive visitor center. Available in every EU language, it offers virtual tours, simulations, and multimedia exhibits that explain how the Parliament works, how decisions are made, and how citizens are represented. It’s designed for everyone- from kids to policy nerds- and honestly, we didn’t want to leave. Day 3 – Behind the Scenes of Enlargement: A Love Story in the Making On our final day in Brussels, we traded museums for something equally eye-opening- a deep dive into the EU’s enlargement machinery. The Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood takes forward the EU’s Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood policies (DG ENEST), we had the chance to meet with some of the people who quite literally think about the Western Balkans every day. Among them was Agathe Nowak, a Policy Officer working on the EU enlargement process, who helped us understand how this journey has evolved from 1957 to today. We also spoke with Anja Nagel, who leads the private sector team within the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), and Klara Orlowska, who focuses on energy and manages programmes like EU4Energy in the Eastern Neighbourhood. Together, they gave us an inside look at what’s coming next, from the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans to efforts around digital transformation and the EU’s Green Agenda. What stood out most was how concrete everything felt. These weren’t just policy ideas on paper- these were real people working on real projects that are already shaping reforms in our home countries, paving the way for future membership. If you’re curious about what that looks like in practice, keep an eye on WeBalkans channels- it’s all happening there. Our meeting with the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) left a lasting impression on us. Inspired by everything we learned- from funding instruments to real-life impact- we decided to create a digital booklet highlighting WBIF funding opportunities in the Western Balkans. It’s our way of sharing the knowledge and opportunities we gained with the rest of the YEA network, helping more young people understand how they can get involved in shaping the region’s future From meaningful conversations and official meetings to spontaneous laughter, chocolate breaks, and snapping photos in front of every EU flag we could find, these three days reminded us why we do what we do as Young European Ambassadors. The Western Balkans are not just future members of the EU; we’re already part of its heart and story. And celebrating Europe Day right in Brussels? That just made it feel a little more real. From Brussels, with love.