The project is dedicated to strengthening youth participation, enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation among young people in the region, as well as promoting the political, economic, and social benefits of the EU integration process in the Western Balkans.

It empowers civil society organisations, particularly youth and women’s organisations, to take an active role in shaping, monitoring, and advocating for public policies relevant to young people (in the field of employment, education, sexual and reproductive health, mental health, environment, media and digital literacy, culture, housing, etc.).

Through the Politeia Regional School for Youth Participation, Politeia Thematic Sessions on Public Policies, a regional internship programme, sub-grants for CSOs and informal youth groups, the Research on the Attitudes of CSOs and Young People on Policy-Making Processes in the Western Balkans, the Comparative Analysis of Youth Policies in the Western Balkans, and public debates, the project strengthens the knowledge, skills, and cooperation of young people and civil society actors.

A special focus is placed on building the capacity of youth and CSOs to engage effectively in structured dialogue with decision-makers, enabling them to jointly discuss, design, and influence policies that affect the lives of young people across the Western Balkans.

• To strengthen participatory democracy, EU integration and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans
• To increase the participation of CSOs and youth in structured dialogue on public policies at national and regional levels, focusing on human development and social investment policies relevant to youth and other marginalised groups.
• To strengthen the capacities and cooperation of CSOs and youth organisations to address political, economic and social challenges in the context of EU integration and to contribute to building social resilience.
• To promote participatory democracy, democratic values and a tolerant political culture, as well as the political, economic and social benefits of EU integration for Western Balkan societies.

• Increased capacities and participation of CSOs, youth and women organisations in monitoring and promoting public policies and participating in structured dialogue.
• Increased cooperation of CSOs in regional projects/activities.
• CSOs in the WB are more vocal in advocating EU integration of the Balkans due to upgraded and consolidated regional coalitions.
• WB youth is empowered with knowledge and skills to fight discrimination, intolerance, political and social polarisation, and to promote European values and EU integration in the WB.
• Awareness is raised and increased support is ensured for the EU integration process in the WB.