Tivat – The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)’s EU-funded Western Balkans Youth Lab (WBYL) Project, brought together youth, policymakers, and high-level officials at the ESG Adria Summit in Tivat on 9–10 April, highlighting the critical role of young people in driving the region’s green agenda and building a more sustainable and inclusive future.

The Regional Mid-Term Conference on the Green Agenda, held on 9 April, marked the halfway point in the implementation of the Youth Policy Lab on Green Agenda – an initiative designed to foster the co-creation of green policies between young people and decision-makers in the Western Balkans.

“In our region, 44% of youth are deeply worried about the economic situation, reflecting the financial challenges they are facing. We are in critical need of cooperation, innovative solutions, equality, and participation to address these challenges. Your actions are not just a call for change but a demand for governments to include you in decision-making and policy shaping,” said Amer Kapetanović, Secretary General of the RCC, at the opening of the conference.

The conference showcased youth-led innovations from all six Western Balkan economies – from eco-bonton guides and green dictionaries for schools, to the introduction of “green seats” in local youth councils and in-depth analyses of youth engagement in environmental policymaking. These initiatives are co-created with national institutions and aim to anchor youth participation in local and national green strategies.

Ognjen Marković, Team Leader of WBYL, praised the energy and leadership of the region’s youth: “55% of young people cite air pollution as their top environmental concern. This is why we need you. Your passion, courage and responsibility are inspiring — you're stepping up as advocates, educators, entrepreneurs & innovators,” said Marković.

The RCC’s WBYL also hosted a Regional Fireside Talks with High-Level Officials on 10 April, providing over 30 young people from across the Western Balkans with the opportunity to directly engage with decision-makers in an open and youth-friendly dialogue. Speakers included Amer Kapetanović, RCC Secretary General, Johann Sattler, EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Biljana Braithwaite, CEO of Sustineri Partners, and Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs of Montenegro. 

The discussion focused on environmental sustainability, youth inclusion in governance, and the future of EU integration for the region. Participants shared ideas, concerns, and practical solutions in a setting designed to foster mutual understanding and empower meaningful youth participation.

The two WBYL events reaffirmed the RCC’s commitment to ensuring that young people are not just heard, but included — as equal partners — in shaping the future of the Western Balkans. 

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The Western Balkans Youth Lab (WB Youth Lab) is an EU-funded and RCC-implemented project aimed at fostering a long-term structured regional dialogue between youth and policy-makers. This dialogue is designed to jointly develop policies that enhance youth participation in decision-making and improve the overall socio-economic environment for youth in the Western Balkans (https://www.rcc.int/youthlab).  

The ESG Adria Summit is the premier international business summit in South East Europe dedicated to advancing sustainability, including standards related to EU trade and accession. Organized by Sustineri Partners and Porto Montenegro, in partnership with the Government of Montenegro and under the auspices of the President of Montenegro, this Summit brings together senior leaders from business, government, international organizations, civil society, and experts from the Adria region and beyond (https://summit.esgadria.org/en/2025).