2025-07-01

Talk. Act. Activate! POLITEIA 2025 – Regional School for Young People Who Make a Difference!

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe - RYDE

Are you ready to change things? Do you want your voice to be heard? Join the POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation 2025, taking place from September 21 to 27, 2025, in Belgrade, Serbia!

POLITEIA is known as a school with tradition, yet always innovative and forward-thinking. Since 1997, when the first school for civil society was held, young people have gained valuable knowledge through this program about democracy, European values, and active societal participation. Thanks to its high-quality curriculum, dedicated lecturers, interactive working methods, and carefully selected participants, POLITEIA has grown into one of the most prestigious non-formal education programs in the region – with over 2.000 alumni to date!

Since 2018, POLITEIA has had a regional character, bringing together youth from across the Western Balkans, creating an inspiring environment for exchanging ideas, experiences, networking, collaboration, and developing joint initiatives.

This year’s POLITEIA School is part of the three-year project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” (2023–2026), supported by the European Union, and implemented as a continuation of the successful “Balkan Youth for Europe – RYCE” project (2018–2021).

Key topics of POLITEIA 2025 include:

European identity and national narratives – shared values and cohesion
The Western Balkans and the current moment for EU enlargement
The economy of integration: What do we gain by adopting European standards?
Political decision-making: Who decides in our name and how can we influence them?
Civic participation and the role of youth in public policy creation
Democracy or populism: Challenges of political culture in the Western Balkans
How is artificial intelligence transforming the youth labor market?
Dialogue with decision-makers – from form to substance
Gender equality as a foundation of social balance
Toxic media narratives and hate speech – how to recognize and respond?
Regional cooperation – a condition for accession or a real necessity in the Western Balkans?
Informal dialogue and youth as drivers of change
How to create project ideas that transform communities?

Who can apply?

Participation in the POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation is open to all adults aged 18 to 25 – high school graduates, students, activists, and young professionals – from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia*.

Participants will be carefully selected based on:

Academic and activist achievements
Professional and community engagement
Most importantly, motivation to become part of the POLITEIA alumni network

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate clear interest in:

European integration of the Western Balkans and its societal, economic, and political benefits
Development of youth policies
Regional and European youth networking
Active involvement in public policy design and implementation

All participants who successfully complete the program will receive a certificate of completion.

The application deadline is July 31, 2025.

>>> Application form for the POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation 2025

The working language of the school is English.

Participation in POLITEIA 2025 is free of charge! The organizer covers accommodation, meals, and transportation costs.

Don’t miss the chance to become part of the POLITEIA community and contribute to positive change in your environment!

Talk. Act. Activate!

Apply. Get involved. Be the change!