Echoes of Democracy: Western Balkan Political Messages and the Path Forward – A School for Young Professionals

The "Echoes of Democracy: Western Balkan Political Messages and the Path Forward – A School for Young Professionals" project is a timely and innovative initiative seeking to empower a new generation of leaders to strengthen democratic resilience, enhance regional cooperation, and facilitate Euro-Atlantic integration across the Western Balkans.

This project is funded by the Open Society Foundation for the Western Balkans and is led by the Association for Education and Public Policies, Presidential Center Stevo Pendarovski - Skopje (a Civil Society Organization). The project is aligned with the Center's mission of promoting democratic values, empowering future leaders, and fostering regional cooperation.

Overall Goal

To empower a new generation of Western Balkan young professionals with enhanced democratic competencies, critical thinking skills, and a nuanced understanding of regional political dynamics, fostering their active engagement in democratic processes.

The Digital Museum

Development and utilization of a "Digital Museum of Political Messages and Rhetoric". This online platform will curate and contextualize political slogans, banners, and public rhetoric from Western Balkan elections and protests. It will serve as a living archive and a cross-cutting educational tool, enabling participants to critically analyze political communication and its impact on democratic development.

Key Activities: The School for Young Professionals

The core of the project is a political school consisting of:

Three intensive modules:

• Module 1: Foundations of Democracy and Civic Engagement in the Western Balkans.
• Module 2: Navigating the European Path: Opportunities and Dilemmas.
• Module 3: Geopolitics, Identity, and Cultural Policy in the Western Balkans.

Two public round tables on relevant topics related to the school's themes, aimed at facilitating broader dialogue.

Collaborative drafting of concise policy briefs or recommendations by participants, to be shared with relevant national and regional civil society networks, EU delegation offices, and government bodies.

Target Group

20-25 highly motivated young professionals (ages 23-40) from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Ideal candidates include professionals from civil society, emerging political leaders, journalists, and youth activists.