Young Leaders Discuss Driving Change in the Western Balkans at the Bled Strategic Forum
Young professionals in the Western Balkans often face limited opportunities, high unemployment, and political systems resistant to change. Today, the Bled Strategic Forum 2025 tackled this urgent issue during the panel “No Region for Young People – Time for Change.”
The panel showcased the work of six young public officials from the Western Balkans who have spent the past year developing policy papers under expert mentorship. Each paper addresses areas where progress is needed—such as institutional performance, social inclusion, and policy alignment—and is driven by a shared aspiration to contribute meaningfully to the EU accession process. These policy papers are part of the publication WeWrite: Shaping the Future, which features eight papers developed by young officials through a comprehensive learning process under the guidance of dedicated mentors and a lead mentor. The collection reflects both individual growth and a collective commitment to public service and reform.
Panelists included Stela Bobot and Milena Popović Glavatović from Montenegro, Maja Boshnjakovska and Tatjana Zdraveska from North Macedonia, Stela Haxhi from Albania, and Ilirjana Tolaj from Kosovo*, who shared insights from their policy work on employment, education, gender equality, and civic participation.
They were joined by senior leaders, including Marko Đurić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia; Igli Hasani, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania; Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo*; Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of North Macedonia. The discussion was moderated by Adnan Ćerimagić, Senior Analyst at the European Stability Initiative.
The panel also featured Jana Repanšek, CEF Director, who emphasized the CEF’s commitment to supporting young professionals in the Western Balkans. Through the EU-funded multi-beneficiary project “EU Scheme for Young Professionals in the Western Balkans” (WeLead), implemented by CEF, young leaders receive mentorship, policy training, and practical opportunities to actively contribute to the region’s European integration.
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.