EUSAIR Youth Council Inaugural Meeting: Addressing Shared Challenges Through Youth Regional Cooperation
On November 22, the inaugural meeting of the Youth Council, an independent advisory body within the EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), took place in Dubrovnik.
The conclusion of the first meeting of the EUSAIR Youth Council was clear: if young people's societal challenges transcend national borders and are similar across the Adriatic-Ionian region, they should be addressed at that level. The Council comprises two young representatives under 30 from each of the 10 EUSAIR participating countries. As an independent advisory body, its mission is to contribute fresh perspectives to the work of EUSAIR experts. The Council will collaborate with the Thematic Steering Groups, the Governing Board, youth councils from other EU macro-regional strategies and organisations in the Adriatic-Ionian Region.
"Many young people in the Adriatic-Ionian region face similar daily challenges, such as the increasing migration of peers to Western countries for work or environmental issues. Through cooperation and experience-sharing, we are confident these ambitious young individuals can develop effective solutions. After all, cultural exchange in this region is nothing new. As we observed during the Dubrovnik meeting, they are well-acquainted with the region's circumstances and frequently discuss them. Through the EUSAIR Youth Council, we aim to provide them with additional opportunities for collaboration," said Lidija Pansegrau Hadrović, the national coordinator for EUSAIR and the EU Strategy for the Danube Region from Croatia's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
At the 1st meeting in Dubrovnik, participants deepened their knowledge through lectures on European funds, cohesion policy, macro-regional strategies and EUSAIR in general. Coordinators presented the foundations and operations of EUSAIR's five thematic pillars: Blue Growth, Connecting the Region (transport and energy), Environmental Quality, Sustainable Tourism, and Social Cohesion.
In group discussions, participants explored potential solutions to regional challenges and possible actions within EUSAIR. On the second day, the function of the EUSAIR Youth Council was discussed, and its members assigned roles and responsibilities within the Council.
Members of the EUSAIR Youth Council emphasized the importance of such communities in fostering positive change within the Adriatic-Ionian Macro-region. They highlighted the value of uplifting the voices of youth in their respective countries, bringing a renewed sense of hope and demonstrating that active efforts are underway to promote socio-economic development in the region. By connecting young people with shared goals—such as preserving their shared space and improving the region through innovative approaches—these communities help cultivate collaboration and progress. Additionally, participants stressed the need for effective communication about the Strategy and its objectives. They underlined the importance of informing peers and other young people about the Strategy’s work and encouraging their involvement to build a sustainable future based on cooperation and innovation.
The inaugural meeting in Dubrovnik also included representatives from the European Commission, which supports the work of the EUSAIR Youth Council and other youth councils in the EU Macro-regional Strategies, such as the Danube Youth Council and EUSALP Youth Council.
The EU Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region includes four EU member states (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia), five candidate countries (Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia), and San Marino.
Media contact:
Ines Madunić, Senior Communication Consultant
ines.madunic@komunikacijskilaboratorij.com
+385 95 3721 678
