2025-09-21

Opening of POLITEIA Regional School for Youth Participation 2025

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE

The “Politeia Regional School for Youth Participation 2025”, implemented within the project “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” (2023–2026), with the support of the European Commission, is being held from September 21 to 27, 2025, in Belgrade.

Politeia is more than just a school – it is a space for learning, exchanging ideas, building connections, and strengthening European values, it was emphasized at the opening ceremony, where the participants were addressed by the Secretary General of the Center for Democracy Foundation Nataša Vučković, Head of the Political Section of the EU Delegation to Serbia Črtomir Peter Fišinger, Commissioner for the Protection of Equality Brankica Janković, and the Coordinator of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe Dajana Ostojić.

This year as well, the Politeia School has brought together young people from across the Western Balkans (Albania, BiH, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo*, North Macedonia), creating a space for idea exchange, cooperation, and joint initiatives, with the goal of strengthening youth participation, regional solidarity, and European values.

Some of the main topics in focus: European identity and national narratives – shared values and cohesion; the Western Balkans and the moment for EU enlargement; the economy of integration: What do we gain by adopting European standards?; Political decision-making: Who makes decisions on our behalf and how can we influence them?; Civic participation and the role of youth in shaping public policies; Democracy or populism: Challenges of political culture in the Western Balkans (…)

Politeia is known as a school with a long tradition (since 1997), but always innovative and progressive. Thanks to its quality curriculum, dedicated lecturers, interactive working methods, and carefully selected participants, POLITEIA has grown into one of the most prestigious non-formal educational programs in the region – with more than 2,000 alumni to date!

Agenda of the POLITEIA School 2025

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The POLITEIA School 2025 is organized within the framework of the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, implemented with the support of the European Union. The project is carried out by the Center for Democracy Foundation, Belgrade (as the project coordinator), and partner organizations: the Academy for European Integration and Negotiations from Tirana (AIEN); the Kosovar Stability Initiative from Pristina (IKS); the Network of Progressive Initiatives from Sarajevo (NPI); the NGO Info Center from Skopje (NGO IC); the Regional Academy for Democratic Development from Novi Sad (ADD); and the Youth Act Center from Tirana (YA). The project is funded by the European Union.

Center for Democracy Foundation