We started the implementation of the “Regional School for Political Development” project in partnership the Academy for Political Development (APD) from Croatia, and the Foundation BFPE from Serbia who lead the political science schools of the Council of Europe network in their respective countries. Understanding the importance to promote democratic and European values, the project focuses to encourage youth activism and participation in political life in the context of environment protection and fight against climate change.
Our kick-off meeting took place on October 12th in Zagreb, where project coordinators and experts from each partner organization discussed best practices, compared different approaches, and agreed on elements that will be included in the future program.
During the meeting, the Executive Director of the Academy for Political Development (APD) provided a detailed presentation of the annual school program for political studies, which they conduct as a member of the Council of Europe network and is also the organizationβs main project.
Through this project, with our partners, we established collaborative regional educational and networking programme called the Regional School for Political Development (RSPD). The school will create a network of 30 young people from Macedonia, Croatia, and Serbia interested in advancing active citizenship and the green agenda. We will establish an educational program fostering active citizenship, political participation, and European values in the context of sustainable development and climate action.
In 2024, The RSPD will organize three tailored seminars for young leaders to leverage their knowledge, experience, and practical skills for advocating green public policies. These seminars are scheduled to be held in Croatia, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The first seminar will focus on understanding political institutions within the EU and the specific contexts of Croatia, Serbia, and Macedonia. Participants will also explore green politics and policies within the EU framework through lectures and interactive workshops. The second seminar will concentrate on enhancing skills in public policy development, aiming to equip participants with the ability to craft comprehensive policy proposals covering needs assessment, problem analysis, stakeholder engagement, proposal development, approval processes, implementation strategies, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The third seminar will revolve around promoting active citizenship and youth participation, empowering participants to engage in public advocacy efforts and enhance their communication skills for effective idea conveyance.
