RCC’s EU funded Western Balkans Youth Lab 2 launched its first Regional Conference on Youth Cultural Cooperation

Belgrade – Young emerging and established artists, cultural policymakers and youth representatives from the Western Balkans Six gathered today in Europe House, Belgrade at the Regional Conference on Youth Cultural Cooperation organised by the Regional Cooperation Council’s (RCC) EU funded Western Balkans Youth Lab 2 with the shared goal of advancing regional cultural collaboration and creating ground-breaking podium dedicated to empowering young creative minds across the region.

“Our youth have remarkable creativity and vision, but to truly harness this potential we need more advanced support systems and meaningful regional collaboration. By investing in our young talents and supporting their initiatives, we are strengthening the cultural fabric of the Western Balkans Six and creating a foundation for a more inclusive and dynamic future,” said Ognjen Marković, RCC’s WB Youth Lab 2 Team Leader while opening today’s conference entitled Stirring the Cultural Scene: Spotlight on Youth Talents. 

The creative industries in the Western Balkans employ up to 4.7% of the workforce, compared to 7.5% in the EU. The remarkable drive and achievements of young people in the region emphasized the need for a stronger commitment to enhancing local skills and capacities, as well as fostering deeper connections between youth and Europe’s creative industries. The conference emphasized the cultural sector's untapped potential as an engine for economic growth and community cohesion and it marks a pivotal step towards a more unified cultural landscape, where young artists not only contribute but also shape the region’s cultural narrative.

“The development of youth potential and youth empowerment are high on the agenda of the European Union. Trying to curb the challenges that the youth are facing as one of the most vulnerable populations, the EU aims to mobilise different policy instruments to increase opportunities for youth participation. More specifically, supporting the area of culture and cultural exchange helps bring people together and unite us in our diversity,” said Richard Maša, Head of Operations, Section II, EU Delegation to Serbia.  

“Exchanges like this one are essential for breaking down barriers, fostering empathy and promoting regional cooperation. Regional Youth Cooperation Office has also recognised potential that culture and art have for peacebuilding and has offered new opportunities through Western Balkans Youth Cultural Fund. By engaging in cultural projects, we create spaces for young people to explore different perspectives, challenge prejudices, and build new shared narratives,” said Marija Bulat, Head of Local Branch Office, Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). 

As a grand finale of today’s conference, an evening exhibition ‘Stories of the region’ will take place at Galerija N.EON from 19:30h, featuring works of ten young artists across the Western Balkans Six: Vuk Đurić, Euklida Berzeshta, Sara Đurić, Kristina Mandić, Gorazd Kenny, Aleksandar Crnogorac, Anita Morina, Hanna Dujmović, Katarina Pivnički and Strahinja Tanasijin. The exhibition is open to public and provides a unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in the creativity and cultural richness of the region's youth. Through a diverse array of visual art, installations and multimedia presentations, the exhibition highlights different motives of the region’s cultural wealth. 

Western Balkans Youth Lab 2 is funded by the European Union, and implemented by the RCC.