OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports fourth RYCO advisory board meeting

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro supported the fourth meeting of the Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO) Advisory Board on 20 February 2020 in Podgorica. The aim of the meeting was to review RYCO’s work from 2019 and its plans for 2020.

The Board is comprised of experts, representatives from the donor community, civil society, international organisations and other relevant institutions.

RYCO Secretary General Đuro Blanuša reported to the Board that in 2019 RYCO evaluated 378 project applications from which 64 projects were awarded amounting to more than €1.3 million euros. “We organized 25 information sessions across region. I’m proud to share with you that by the end of 2020, over 4500 young people will have participated in youth exchanges,” said Blanuša.

Underlining the solid partnership between the Mission and RYCO, Maryse Daviet, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro noted that RYCO has achieved significant results in the region. She also said that its work on strengthening the capacities of young people across the region by working together and getting involved in the reconciliation and intercultural dialogue is of key importance. Daviet said: “However, it is equally important to focus on internal organizational strengthening and consolidation of RYCO after the initiative’s programme expansion that occurred last year. Continuous consolidation, as shown in RYCO’s strategic plan, will ensure delivery of its mission, its stable presence and sustainable future.”

RYCO was founded in 2016 at the Western Balkans Sixth Summit in Paris as an independent institutional mechanism to promote the spirit of reconciliation and co-operation among youth in the region through exchange programmes.