The 'Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme 2' promotes reconciliation, cooperation, and understanding among young people across the Western Balkans.

Co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and implemented by GIZ together with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the project strengthens RYCO’s capacity to manage regional youth programmes and supports school-to-school exchanges.

Through the Superschools programme, students and teachers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia take part in learning exchanges that foster intercultural dialogue, peacebuilding, and inclusion.

The action also builds partnerships among education institutions and ministries, promotes gender equality, and encourages collaboration between donors and youth organisations. By connecting schools and empowering young people, the project contributes to lasting peace, cooperation, and social cohesion in the region.

• To enhance RYCO’s institutional and operational capacity to manage regional cooperation projects effectively.
• To strengthen RYCO’s role as the leading regional organisation for youth engagement.
• To promote reconciliation and intercultural dialogue among students and teachers through the Superschools exchange programme.
• To support education ministries and schools in developing sustainable regional partnerships and teacher training.
• To promote inclusion, gender equality, and participation of young people in shaping a peaceful and cooperative future.

• RYCO’s institutional capacity and governance structures strengthened.
• Increased regional collaboration among education institutions and ministries.
• Successful implementation of school exchange cycles involving over 170 schools and 5,600 students.
• Improved intercultural competencies and gender awareness among youth and teachers.
• Enhanced visibility and coordination of youth-related initiatives across the Western Balkans.