Youth Conference on Community Engagement
The two-day international Youth Conference on Community Engagement took place on 27th and 28th November at the Hotel Ambasador in Niš, bringing together young leaders, activists, experts, and representatives of organizations from Serbia, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Cyprus. The event was organized as part of the European project Youth4Development, supported by the EU under the CERV program.
The conference was officially opened by Snežana Andrić, President of Young Ambassadors, and Loreta Isak, Project Manager at the Center for Non-Profit Law (CLNR) from Romania. They presented the mission of the event: creating a space for dialogue, cooperation, and exchange of experiences among young people, while also showcasing the main results of the Youth4Development project.
The educational program began with the panel discussion Supporting European Youth Communities: Learning from Each Other, where European project partners spoke about strengthening youth networks, challenges in working with young people, and models of international cooperation. Recommendations from the Youth4Development project were highlighted as guidelines for the improvement of youth policies. This was followed by an online keynote by the Belgian organization Diesis Network, titled New European Bauhaus in Practice, presenting successful European examples of inclusive local development, green transition, and their application in youth initiatives. The program continued with the session Opportunities for Youth: Exchanges and Studying Abroad at EU Universities, delivered by Milena Kostić, Vice President of the Erasmus Student Network, and Teodora Milosavljević, an Erasmus+ exchange participant. They introduced participants to available scholarships, exchange application procedures, and the academic and professional benefits of international education. During the session Get Involved in Youth Initiatives: Projects by Young Ambassadors, Aleksandar Stamenković presented projects of Young Ambassadors and encouraged participants to engage in local initiatives and community development.
In the session Advocacy Matters: Youth Ideas for Development, young participants presented proposals focused on social inclusion, environmental protection, and innovative approaches to local engagement. The first day concluded with a plaque ceremony recognizing eight participants as Ambassadors for Social Inclusion and Environmental Protection.
The second day was out of the conference room, participants visited the Science and Technology Park Niš, exploring startups, innovation teams, and support models for young entrepreneurs, followed by a guided tour of the Niš Fortress. The day ended with a partners’ meeting to review results and plan future cooperation. The conference concluded with the message that young people are ambassadors of knowledge and key drivers of social development, and that international cooperation, open dialogue, and cross-sector networking form the foundation for building responsible, strong, and sustainable communities across Europe.
Conference “Youth4Development” in Niš: Youth for Social and Environmental Development in Europe
Young Ambassadors will host the international conference “Youth for Social and Environmental Development in Europe – Youth4Development” on 27–28 November 2025. The event brings together young people, organizations, and partners from Romania, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Belgium, and Serbia to exchange experiences and ideas on how youth can drive social and environmental change across Europe.
The conference will explore European practices in youth participation, social inclusion, environmental protection, and the principles of the New European Bauhaus (NEB).
Highlights of the program include:
- Presentation of the Youth4Development project results and good practices from partner countries;
- Panel discussion “Supporting European Youth Communities”, focusing on learning, networking, and inspiring new youth-led initiatives across Europe;
- Keynote session by Diesis Network (Belgium) on applying NEB principles—sustainability, inclusiveness, and creativity—in youth initiatives;
- Session “Advocacy Matters”, where young participants from Serbia, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Cyprus will present their ideas for improving community life;
- Presentation by the Erasmus Ambassador in Serbia, highlighting EU opportunities for studying and youth exchanges;
- Presentation of Young Ambassadors’ initiatives that young people can join to contribute to the development of their community;
- Final Remarks and Awards Ceremony, where eight young participants will be recognized as Ambassadors for Social Inclusion and Environmental Protection.
On the second day, participants will take part in field visits to the Science and Technology Park Niš, exploring successful models of community development and youth engagement, followed by a guided cultural tour of Niš Fortress.
The conference is organized within the EU-funded project Youth for Social and Environmental Development in Europe – Youth4Development, supported by the CERV programme. The project brings together five European partners – CLNR (Romania), Diesis Network (Belgium), Youth Included (Czech Republic), Hub Nicosia (Cyprus), and Young Ambassadors (Serbia). Running until February 2026, the project aims to empower youth, promote social entrepreneurship, and strengthen trust in European values through active participation and sustainable community development.
Youth Café in Niš – Youth4Development project
As part of the Youth4Development project, the Youth Café in Niš brought together young people and decision-makers in an open and informal setting. The idea was simple: create a space where youth can share their concerns and propose solutions, while institutions listen and show support.
The youth-led campaigns focused on key local issues such as:
· environmental protection and recycling,
· stray dog challenges,
· improving public transport through a smart bus application.
Public officials joined the conversation, expressing openness to collaboration, which resulted in a clear commitment to strengthen youth–institution cooperation in Niš. What made the event stand out was the use of the Youth Café methodology, interactive tools, and youth-moderated discussions. Participants also had the chance to explore the work of the Science Technology Park and several startups, linking youth activism with innovation.
Youth4Development is an international project aimed at empowering young people across Europe to actively engage in social change through dialogue, creative methods, and local initiatives. The project brings together partners from different countries and sectors, including CLNR , Diesis Network, Youth Included, Hub Nicosia and our organisation Young Ambassadors.
<strong>Empowering Youth in Local Communities in Niš – <em>Youth4Development</em></strong>
As part of the Youth4Development project, two intensive trainings were organized with the aim of empowering young people to actively engage in the development of their communities through civic participation, advocacy campaigns, and direct cooperation with local institutions.
Youth for Social and Environmental Community Development
At the end of May, we organized a one-day training at the Metropolitan University, focusing on strengthening young people’s capacities to initiate actions aimed at social and environmental development at the community level. The training was structured into four thematic modules and delivered through interactive methods such as group work, simulations, debates, and experiential learning. The sessions were led by experts and facilitators with extensive experience in youth activism and community development.
The training brought together university students interested in deepening their understanding of social and environmental challenges, as well as academic assistants and staff who contributed to discussions and helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Participants gained knowledge about the principles of community development, the functioning of local institutions, and ways to launch civic initiatives. They also developed skills in critical thinking, campaign design, and leading youth-led actions.
Youth Leaders and Local Advocacy Campaigns
In early June, a second training was held to empower young people to design and implement local advocacy campaigns, fostering leadership and civic innovation. Through thematic workshops and hands-on activities, participants learned the fundamentals of local advocacy and community organizing, how to identify issues and map stakeholders, and how to build effective communication strategies, including public speaking and digital media engagement.
High school students gathered at the Think Innovative Hub in Niš and developed three local advocacy campaigns on the following important topics: environmental protection and recycling; the issue of stray dogs in Niš; the improvement of public transportation and the need for a smart bus app.
These activities were implemented within the framework of the Youth4Development – Youth for social and environmental development in Europe project. The Youth4Development project brings together five partners from different European countries, aiming to promote sustainable development and empower youth. The project is led by the organization CLNR from Romania, in partnership with Diesis Network, Youth Included, Hub Nicosia, and our organization, Young Ambassadors.
This international project will run until February 2026, with partners working together to empower young people, support social entrepreneurship, and strengthen cross-sector cooperation. Through knowledge exchange and sharing of good practices, the project will contribute to the social and economic progress of local communities and help create an enabling environment for young people to participate in processes that affect them.
10 Young People from Serbia Joined Startup Weekend Ohrid as Part of the KreNI Startup Project
Startup Weekend Ohrid recently wrapped up its second edition, bringing together young innovators
from across the region. Organized by Startup Macedonia with the support of the Startup Weekend
Skopje team and a strong network of founders and startup enthusiasts, the event offered an
inspiring platform for networking, team-building, and startup development.
Over the course of three high-energy days, participants pitched ideas, formed teams, joined
workshops, and worked with mentors to transform concepts into prototypes. The final day featured
pitch presentations where teams shared their startup visions and made their mark on the
entrepreneurial scene.
The event was part of the KreNI Startup project, a regional initiative by Startup Macedonia (North Macedonia) and
Young Ambassadors (Serbia), supported by the British Council and funded by the European Union
through the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs) project. The CC4WBs
project aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors
for increased socio-economic impact.
This year’s exchange saw 10 participants from North Macedonia attend the 10th KreNI Conference
in Niš in December 2024, while 10 participants from Serbia traveled to Ohrid to take part in Startup
Weekend. The project tackles key regional challenges such as high youth unemployment and
underdeveloped creative industries by promoting youth empowerment, regional collaboration, and
entrepreneurial growth.
Through benchmarking workshops, study visits, joint event management, and youth mentorship,
KreNI Startup aims to strengthen creative and entrepreneurial skills across borders. A digital
publication will capture the project’s insights and best practices, fostering continued learning and
collaboration.
KreNI Startup is more than a partnership—it’s a shared vision for a connected and thriving
entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Western Balkans.
EU Proximity and Social Economy Platform: our new opportunity!
Mladi ambasadori have become part of the EU Proximity and Social Economy Platform, and our president, Snežana Andrić, has been appointed as a Community Ambassador of this platform.
This platform provides a new space for those working on strengthening local economies, enhancing social innovations, and contributing to Europe’s green and digital transition. It serves as a digital hub for leaders in social economy and sustainable, community-focused business. The platform is built on the Transition Pathway, co-created by the European Commission and key stakeholders in the proximity and social economy sectors.
Snežana Andrić is the EU Proximity and Social Economy Platform Ambassador – a role that offers a unique opportunity to expand networks and establish connections with individuals and organizations engaged in similar programs. During networking events, she will showcase successful initiatives and projects aligned with the platform’s objectives. There is great potential in leveraging best practices from the platform, integrating them, and promoting them within ongoing projects and programs. This not only strengthens our own initiatives but also demonstrates how joining the platform can lead to valuable cross-sectoral learning and collaboration.
The goal of this initiative is to create a fully dedicated digital platform for individuals and organizations active in proximity and social economy, committed to advancing environmental sustainability, community prosperity, and resilience, in line with the Transition Pathway.