39th EYCA CONFERENCE AND ASSEMBLY SUCCESSFULLY ORGANISED IN PODGORICA
The 39th International EYCA Conference and Assembly were successfully organised in Podgorica from 15-18 June. The EYCA Card Project Team in Montenegro welcomed over 100 delegates representing 40 countries across Europe from government, academic, and civil sectors.
The event takes place annually and serves as a traditional gathering of EYCA project implementers from various parts of Europe. The two-day conference included a range of activities aimed at creating new opportunities for young people at the European level, fostering networking, and exchanging experiences among relevant stakeholders.
The conference was organised by the NGO “Centre for Youth Education,” the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), with the support of the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro (NToM).
The event was opened by Savo Rašović, Secretary at the Ministry of Sports and Youth.
"It is our honour to host such an important event and have the opportunity to gather all the relevant actors involved in the implementation of the EYCA project across Europe. You will have the chance to participate in numerous panel discussions, workshops, and sessions where you can network, exchange knowledge and experience, strengthen collaboration, and enhance your own socially responsible project in the country. In 2023, which has been designated as the European Year of Skills by the European Commission, our goal is to empower young individuals to develop their talents and competencies, enabling them to become active citizens and leaders in their communities," Rašović stated.
Jelena Borovinić Bojović, President of the Assembly of Podgorica, addressed the attendees on behalf of the Capital City.
"It is our privilege for Podgorica to host this conference, which represents the central European youth event of the year, and for delegates from 40 European countries to gather in our city to discuss how to create a better future for young people. I am delighted by the possibility that, in addition to Brussels, where the executive EYCA office is currently located, the Capital City of Montenegro can also provide the opportunity for this international organisation to have its regional headquarters here, where European-level youth policies will be created," said Borovinić.
Jugoslav Radović, Executive Director of the NGO Centre for Youth Education, extended his greetings on behalf of the organisers.
"It is our great honour and pleasure, in cooperation with our friends and colleagues from the EYCA Association, to have the opportunity to host more than 100 delegates from 40 countries and convey the most beautiful messages and images from this event throughout Europe. We consider the organisation of this conference as an excellent opportunity to express our gratitude to all our international colleagues for their support in the first five years of our partnership, which has enabled the continuous growth and development of the EYCA Card in Montenegro." Radović stated.
After the opening speeches, all participants had the opportunity to watch a promotional video celebrating thefive years of the European Youth Card (EYCA) in Montenegro (available on the following link).
The significance of this conference and the socially responsible programme for the youth was addressed by representatives from domestic and international institutions: Dr. Irena Radović, Executive Director of the Investment and Development Fund of Montenegro; Oana Cristina Popa, Ambassador of the European Union to Montenegro; Dominique Waag, Ambassador of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro; Natalja Turenne, Co-Secretary of the European Steering Committee for Youth in the Council of Europe; Patrick Burke, President of ERYICA; Daphne Robberechts, Programme Assistant at the European Commission; Pavlína Macounová, member of the EURODESK Management Board; Laura Popa, Youth Policy Officer at the European Parliament; and Rares Voicu, member of the Executive Board of the European Youth Forum.
The panel discussion on "Sustainability and Digitalisation" took place on Friday, involving various domestic and international actors who positively contribute to the creation of youth policies at the European level. The guests highlighted the potential positive impact of artificial intelligence on future work and the development of youth tools, emphasising that it can be a means rather than an obstacle to future interaction and participation of young people. Climate change and strengthening democracy among young people were identified as topics requiring special attention and providing opportunities for active youth participation in current discussions.
On Saturday, important decisions were made for the further development of the European Youth Card (EYCA) at the 39th General Assembly. Mr. Jugoslav Radović, Executive Director of the NGO Youth Education Centre from Podgorica, will assume the role of Vice President of this international association, which has more than eight million young people as members at the European level. During the ceremonial part of the evening programme, the project team of the EYCA card in Montenegro was declared the winner in the "Programme Sustainability" category by the votes of member countries, thus becoming the recipient of another Excellence Award (EYCA Excellence Awards), which is bestowed upon countries with the best implemented projects at the European level.
