This publication is a testament to the vibrant energy and potential of youth in the Western Balkans, encapsulated from the conference hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Skopje in October 2023. As part of the “Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust” initiative, funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund, the event convened approximately 100 young local decision-makers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, and Serbia. 

The convergence of mayors, municipal council members, youth officers, civil society representatives, and local youth councils created a melting pot for discussing and forging youth policies and constructive narratives at the local level. 

The aim was clear: to foster dialogue, share knowledge in a youth-friendly atmosphere, and build a foundation for mutual understanding, respect for diversity, and a constructive narrative that would resonate at the grassroots level.