Documents & Publications
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2023-2024
13 JUNE 2024 | REPORT
The Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period May 2023 – May 2024. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - COMPARATIVE REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This comparative report on youth policies, funding, participation, and donor programs in the Western Balkans (WB) is based on desk and empirical research conducted between August and November 2023. It includes a mapping of donor programs in the region and utilizes individual economy reports to assess the current state of youth, identify support gaps, and analyze youth involvement in decision-making. Guided by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), the report aims to inform the implementation of the Western Balkans Youth Lab, offering insights for public administrations, donors, youth councils, and umbrella organizations. It highlights challenges such as the lack of consistent youth-focused statistical data and variations in age range definitions (15-24; 15-29; 15-30) among institutions in the region.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - ALBANIA REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This report conducts a thorough examination of the existing youth policies in Albania, placing its analysis within the broader context of mapping youth policies and uncovering support and financing gaps in the Western Balkans. Drawing on the findings of the initial report from 2020, the various sections of this report will pinpoint current support and financing deficiencies in youth initiatives, examine youth involvement in decision-making processes through the highlighting of best practices, offer recommendations, and present a mapping of donor programs in the youth sector. In doing so, it provides valuable insights into emerging developments in the field.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This report presents a comprehensive analysis of youth policy, programs, and mechanisms in Bosnia and Herzegovina, combining desk research and empirical investigations, including interviews with key stakeholders. An updated version of the 2020 publication, the report aims to evaluate the current youth policy framework, programs, and mechanisms for youth participation. It identifies support mechanisms and financing deficiencies, utilizing examination and analysis of policy papers, laws, strategies, and government documents, along with statistics from various sources and recent publications by local and international organizations. The empirical investigation involved comprehensive interviews with local and economy-level institutions and organizations, contributing valuable insights into the youth sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - KOSOVO* REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This report offers a thorough analysis of the current youth policy landscape in Kosovo*, exploring existing support structures, financial gaps in youth initiatives, and the enduring impact of the pandemic on youth policies. It also investigates youth participation in decision-making processes and outlines donor programs targeting the youth demographic. The research methodology employs a dual approach: desk research involves a detailed examination of the legal framework, encompassing laws and strategies, as well as a review of domestic and international reports on youth issues in Kosovo*. Meanwhile, empirical research includes interviews with key stakeholders such as central and local public officials, representatives of civil society organizations, and members of the international donor community.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - MONTENEGRO REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This comprehensive analysis serves as the report for Montenegro within the broader context of mapping youth policies and identifying support and financing gaps in the Western Balkans. As a vital and dynamic segment Montenegro’s youth population plays a crucial role in shaping its social, economic, and cultural landscape. To address the challenges and opportunities faced by Montenegro’s youth, this report explores key aspects of youth policies, funding mechanisms, participation, and donor interventions.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - NORTH MACEDONIA REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This report comprehensively reviews the existing framework for youth policy, programs, and mechanisms for youth participation in North Macedonia. It also highlights support and financial gaps in youth initiatives. Prepared through desk research and in-depth interviews with stakeholders in the youth sector, including public administrations and youth civil society organizations, the research involves examining legislation, economy strategies, action plans, and youth programs. Statistical data from various sources and recent reports from local and international organizations contribute to the understanding of the youth sector in North Macedonia. In-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from entities such as the Government, Assembly of North Macedonia, Agency for Youth and Sport (AYS), civil society organizations like the Youth Council of North Macedonia (NYCM), and the Union for Youth Work.
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MAPPING OF YOUTH POLICIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF EXISTING SUPPORT AND GAPS IN FINANCING OF YOUTH ACTIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS - SERBIA REPORT
18 JANUARY 2024 | REPORT
This report provides an overview of the current state of youth policies in Serbia, tracking their trajectory from 2020 to 2023. It assesses available support, identifies financing gaps in youth initiatives, and maps donor programs in the youth sector. The report also delves into the analysis of youth participation in decision-making processes, spotlighting successful approaches and offering recommendations. Developed through desk research, which included an analysis of laws, regulations, national strategies, and programs, as well as the examination of statistics and recent reports from various sources, the report also incorporates empirical research involving 14 interviews with representatives from institutions, youth-led organizations, youth-oriented organizations and their associations, and the donor community.
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Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2022-2023
27 JUNE 2023 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2022 – April 2023. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2022-2023 has been adopted at the SEECP Summit held in Budva on 5 June 2023.
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REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL SECRETARIAT for the period 1 November 2022 – 1 March 2023
15 MARCH 2023 | REPORT
Report on the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat for the period 1 November 2022 – 1 March 2023 was presented by the RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the 48th RCC Board meeting on 15 March 2023 in Sarajevo.
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Balkan Barometer Public Opinion 2022
24 JUNE 2022 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer Public opinion 2022 is 8th edition of RCC's survey of Western Balkan citizens perceptions. The analysis of the results provides a detailed insight into trends and evolution of the attitudes of thousands of
region’s citizens and businesses across socio-economic-environmental topics affecting their everyday lives.
Since the first edition in 2015 the Balkan Barometer became firmly established as a reliable source of regional data widely employed and referenced by media, business, civil society and decision-makers alike.
Balkan Barometer is commissioned by the RCC and financed by the European Union.
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Balkan Barometer Business Opinion 2022
24 JUNE 2022 | SURVEY
2022 edition of the Balkan Barometer- the annual survey of Western Balkan business perceptions. It provides insights into trends and evolution of the attitudes of region’s businesses across socio-economic-environmental topics affecting their everyday lives and business. Balkan Barometer Business Opinion survey presented 177 questions to 1203 business owners, managers, or executives in the period mid February to mid-March 2022.
Balkan Barometer is commissioned by the RCC and financed by the European Union.
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Balkan Barometer 2022 - INFOGRAPHICS
24 JUNE 2022 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
BALKAN BAROMETER is an annual survey of public opinion and business sentiments in six Western Balkans economies, commissioned by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), which examines aspirations and expectations on life and work, prevalent socio-economic and political trends & regional and European integration.
BALKAN BAROMETER’S 2022 infographics booklet features some of the defining thoughts of Western Balkans citizens and businesses on prevailing issues facing the region.
The entire BB survey is available at www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer
Download: EN
Brochure: Western Balkans Youth Lab: Youth Lab on Unemployment Milestones
13 JUNE 2022 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
Brochure captures milestones of Western Balkans Youth Lab on youth unemployment policies in the region.
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Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2021-2022
10 JUNE 2022 | REPORT
The Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2021 – April 2022. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Download: EN
REGIONAL RESPONSE IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY: RCC Strategy and Work Programme 2023–2025
09 JUNE 2022 | REPORT
The Strategy and Work Programme 2023-2025 ‘Regional Response in Times of Uncertainty’, of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat was endorsed at the RCC Annual Meeting, on 9 June 2022 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The overarching goal of SWP 2023-2025 is to promote the prosperity of South East Europe by supporting sustainable and equitable economic growth policies to enhance regional economic integration, green and digital transformation, while reducing the poverty and narrowing the existing social, economic, and environmental divergences with the European Union.
The SWP 2023-2025 serves as the main mid-term plan to prioritise RCC’s activities in line with RCC’s objectives defined by the Statute and the SEE 2030 Strategy, which focuses on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the regional approach.
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WBYL: YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, NEET EMPLOYABILITY, AND YOUTH CAREER MANAGEMENT SKILLS IN SERBIA
24 FEBRUARY 2022 | SURVEY
Research on Youth entrepreneurship, NEET employability, and youth career management skills in Serbia provides the analysis of key issues related to strengthening youth employability and youth policy institutional framework with regard to the introduction of the Youth Guarantee piloting in Serbia. It contains recommendations for the policy makers focusing particularly on the youth policy stakeholders.
Western Balkans Youth and the Future of Europe; Op-Ed by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu
05 FEBRUARY 2022 | ARTICLE
Op-Ed by the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu on the Western Balkans youth and their potential to be a part and create a future of the European Western Balkans.
"Reality in which youth live today is specific, marked by the rapidly transforming era of the fourth industrial revolution, a changing and precarious labor market, and a pandemic unprecedented in modern history. In this and other issues, it should not be our goal to understand young people – it should be to give their inputs, priorities and recommendations adequate space in policy-making and public discussions. In 2022, the European Year of Youth carries a promise to do just that."
Joint Communique on Youth: Western Balkans Co-creating Future with Youth as Agents of Change
16 DECEMBER 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
Joint Communique on Youth: Western Balkans Co-creating Future with Youth as Agents of Change, as our agreement on the shared values, principles and way forward by the Broad Coalition on Youth.
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WBYL: Policy Recommendations by Regional Pool of Experts on Mental Health
16 DECEMBER 2021 | MEETING DOCUMENT
Policy Recommendations co-created by the Regional Pool of Experts consisting of youth and policy-makers from the Western Balkans at the Kick-Off Event of the Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health
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Closing remarks of the RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu at the Kick Off event of Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health
10 DECEMBER 2021 | SPEECH
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu gave spoke to almost 50 youth representatives from the region, as well as policy makers and representatives of the European Commission at the closing of the Kick Off event of Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health, which took place in Tirana on 9-10 December 2021.
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European Union is Our Future, No Alternative, Interview by RCC Secretary General for Novi Magazin
02 DECEMBER 2021 | INTERVIEW
Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Majlinda Bregu spoke to Serbian Novi Magazin about Western Balkans EU integration, Common Regional Market and Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, region's response to Covid-19 pandemic and much more.
"Weak Western Balkans makes the EU weak too. But a lot is being said each day by both the EU and Western Balkans leaders. The truth is that the enlargement has become a lot more brutal. In times when geostrategic shifts are taking place across the globe, the impasse of Western Balkans EU accession is never a good news. The scale of problems in the Western Balkans is a call to go beyond nudges and patches. Western Balkans is part of Europe, and is of the vital importance in this political realism. The need for Europe is as powerful as it is unsatisfied.", said Bregu, among other things.
WBYL: Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health - Regional Pool of Experts
22 NOVEMBER 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
RCC Western Balkan Youth Lab (WBYL) presents Regional Pool of Experts dealing with the issue of mental health.
Youth Policy Lab on Mental Health is incorporating the principles of co-management and co-production. Young people and policymakers from the Western Balkans will share power in managing and implementing the space where policies are developed, as well as in undertaking tasks to achieve the commonly defined goals.
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Video podcast: RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu on regional cooperation
18 NOVEMBER 2021 | VIDEO INTERVIEW
RCC Secretary General Majlinda Bregu on priorities RCC is we are working on: EU-WB roaming, mental health and WB Green Agenda
YOUTH POLICY LAB MODEL
28 SEPTEMBER 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Youth Policy Lab is a flagship initiative within RCC’ Western Balkans Youth Lab project funded by the European Union that aims to provide opportunities for youth to participate in decision-making. Based on the conclusions of Sofia EU-Western Balkan Summits held in
2018 and 2020, Youth Policy Lab is designed to provide a safe space for youth, enabling young women and men to work jointly and at equal basis with policymakers. As such, it is seen as an important instrument which can further support the implementation of the European Youth Dialogue principles in the Western Balkans.
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YOUTH POLICY LAB METHODOLOGY
28 SEPTEMBER 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The issues which Western Balkans youth is facing
have been under increased attention over the last
couple of years, both at the level of each economy
and as a part of the high-level dialogue taking place
between the WB and the EU.
Similar to the European institutions
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Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, Majlinda Bregu at the First Annual Conference of the Ministry of Finance “Economic Recovery and Growth Beyond Covid”
06 SEPTEMBER 2021 | SPEECH
Talking Points by Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu at the panel on Global and Regional Challenges and Prospects of Recovery and Growth at the First Annual Conference of the Ministry of Finance “Economic Recovery and Growth Beyond Covid”, held in Skopje on 6 September 2021
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Balkan Barometer 2021 - Public Opinion
24 JUNE 2021 | SURVEY
Balkan Barometer 2021 - this is the 7th edition of annual public and business opinion survey commissioned by the RCC which examines Western Balkan citizens and businesses perceptions and expectations towards a variety of thematic areas, such as the EU integration and regional cooperation, digitalisation, green recovery, employment, and for the second year in a row it includes topics concerning a challenging regional COVID-19 induced landscape.
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South East Europe Strategy 2030
16 JUNE 2021 | REPORT
The SEE 2030 Strategy is a joint call for action by all 13 SEE economies. The Strategy seeks to promote and advance through regional cooperation the implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goals within the SEE region across the three dimensions of sustainable development: Prosperity; People; and Peace and Partnerships.
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Report on the Activities of the Regional Cooperation Council Secretariat for the period 1 October 2020 – 1 March 2021
29 MARCH 2021 | REPORT
The Report on the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat is submitted by the RCC Secretary General to the RCC Board in line with Article 15 of the Statute of the RCC. It covers the period between 1 October 2020 – 1 March 2021.
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Youth Policy Lab Draft Working Group Rules of Procedure
26 JANUARY 2021 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Regional Cooperation Council’s Western Balkan Youth Lab project produced Youth Policy Lab Draft Working Group Rules of Procedure, which represents the proposals for the Rules of Procedure for the Working Groups at economy level in regard to the Model on Youth Policy Labs and regional policy recommendations stemming from the Thematic Regional Youth Policy Lab on Youth Unemployment held in December 2020.
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Mapping of Youth Policies and Identification of Existing Support and Gaps in Financing of Youth Actions in the Western Balkans
11 JANUARY 2021 | REPORT
This report provides a comparative analysis of the youth policies, funding mechanisms, participation, and donor interventions in the area of youth in the Western Balkans six economies (WB6). In addition, the comparative report outlines a mapping of donor programs in the area of youth across the region and provides a brief overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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WBYL: Policy Recommendations by Regional Pool of Experts on Youth Unemployment
10 JANUARY 2021 | MEETING DOCUMENT
Policy Recommendations co-created by the Regional Pool of Experts consisted of youth and policy-makers from the Western Balkans at the Kick-Off event of the Youth Policy Lab on Youth Unemployment
Download: EN
Pool of Experts of the first Regional Youth Lab
09 DECEMBER 2020 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Youth Policy Lab is a flagship initiative within RCC’ Western Balkan Youth Lab project funded by the European Union that aims to provide opportunities for youth to participate in decision-making. Based upon conclusions of Sofia EU-Western Balkan Summits held in 2018 and 2020, Youth Policy Lab is designed to provide a safe space for youth, enabling young women and men to work jointly and at equal basis with policymakers.
Download: EN
Western Balkans Youth Lab Factsheet
09 DECEMBER 2020 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
Within RCC’s Western Balkans Youth Lab, EU funded, project regional pool of experts consisted of youth and policy makers from the Western Balkans will work within RCC’s WB youth lab project on creating solutions for issues related to youth unemployment and youth participation.
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Youth Lab Technical Assistance Guidelines
03 SEPTEMBER 2020 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Technical Assistance Instrument is a mechanism of the Western Balkans Youth Lab Project (hereinafter: WBYL) that aims to complement regional activities with additional support to the Project beneficiaries in order to strengthen their policy and administrative capacities in the different stages and processes related to the youth policy development and implementation and participation of youth in decision making.
Youth Lab Capacity Building Guidelines
03 SEPTEMBER 2020 | INFORMATION MATERIAL
The Capacity Building Instrument is a mechanism of the Western Balkans Youth Lab Project (hereinafter: WBYL) that aims to complement regional activities with additional support to the National Youth Councils, where they are established, and Youth Umbrella Organisations, where youth council at the central level is absent, in order to help their transformation and advance their role in contributing towards development of youth policies.
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Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the RCC on 1st edition of Balkathon and future plans in an interview for Albanian Business Magazine
10 AUGUST 2020 | INTERVIEW
"Encouraging innovative ideas, promoting digital solutions and creating room for the introduction of new ideas are the daily efforts on the part of RCC, its mindset not only in terms of thinking but also in terms of acting. It goes without saying that Covid-19 did provide an incentive, for instance when realizing how much more the private sector was using digital solutions. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) found its inspiration for Balkathon in the efforts made by EU Member States and Western Balkan economies to adjust their way of life in light of the new reality, starting off with the printing of 3D masks, the creation of online teaching and learning platforms, the creation of applications that facilitate online shopping, etc."
Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council 2019-2020
25 JUNE 2020 | REPORT
This Annual Report of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) covers the period April 2019 – April 2020. It outlines main RCC activities and achievements in the past year. It also lays out the overall background and crucial developments impacting and shaping the activities of the RCC and the region of South East Europe in the reporting period.
Download: EN
With Proven Potential for Innovation, Youth are Our Greatest Investment Opportunity
22 MAY 2020 | INTERVIEW
With Proven Potential for Innovation, Youth are Our Greatest Investment Opportunity, Article by Adem Gashi, Team Leader of the RCC Western Balkans Youth Lab Project
"There is no crystal ball to tell the fortune, but it’s crystal clear that by involving youth in decision making, the region will have a better future"