A new generation of Young European Ambassadors (YEA) has been elected for 2024, and among them are 22 young leaders from Serbia. A total of 97 young people from the Western Balkans countries will join the network, which has more than 240 members from the entire region, with the mission to actively shape a better future for the region through the promotion of European values, integration and cooperation.
The Young European Ambassadors Platform is a creative communication network of young activists from the countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia). Aleksandar Vuković, Nikola Slankamenac, Andrea Darabašić, Miloš Vico, Dušan Simonović, Marija Milićević, Maša Čežek, Uglješa Dimitrijević, Aleksandar Petrović, Teodora Danilović, Suzana Marić Sejdija, Emilija Bojić, Kristina Jevremović, Katarina Stojanović, Anissa Ahmetović, Vuk Stanojev, Dušan Popović, Uroš Šestović, Nikola Murganić, Nevena Matić, Mihajlo Kovač and Bogdan Dimić from Serbia are joining the network this year.
Young European Ambassadors will be committed to defending and promoting European and universal human rights and values, such as freedom of expression, freedom of gathering and advocacy for the rule of law. Their role will include organizing events, promoting dialogue and connecting young people from different backgrounds in order to strengthen ties between the Western Balkans and the European Union, by highlighting the benefits of regional cooperation and integration.
This year’s YEA campaign was focused on inclusion, with the aim of engaging young people from marginalized communities, geographically isolated areas and minority groups. In addition, network members helped organize 46 info days across the region, which attracted more than 1,300 participants. During the evaluation process, the WeBalkans team in cooperation with the Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) selected the most talented candidates.
The new generation of YEA comes at an important time for the Western Balkans, as the region continues its path towards greater integration with the European Union. Their mission will be to inspire their peers through encouraging active citizen engagement and promoting change in communities.
The election of this new generation of Young European Ambassadors confirms the European Union’s commitment to investing in young people by encouraging young people’s participation in democratic life, supporting the social engagement of young people and striving to ensure that all young people have the necessary resources for active participation in society.
