Western Balkans ministers meet in Montenegro to discuss youth policy

The Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting for Youth 2026 was held in Podgorica, Montenegro, to strengthen regional coordination and harmonize policies regarding the needs and perspectives of young people. Organized by the Regional Cooperation Council for Youth (RYCO) in partnership with the Montenegrin Ministry of Sports and Youth, the event took place under the auspices of the Government of Montenegro as part of the Berlin Process.

This year's meeting marked the 10th anniversary of RYCO. Discussions focused on involving youth more effectively in reform processes, transitioning them from mere beneficiaries to active contributors in policy creation, implementation, and monitoring. Key topics included youth participation in decision-making, regional mobility, education, employment, entrepreneurship, and the role of youth in economic development, migration, security, and European integration.

During the meeting, North Macedonian Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth Gjoko Vellkovski announced that his country is developing a single national aggregator for youth. This platform aims to centralize information regarding programs and opportunities provided by state institutions and municipalities.