On 5th March 2025, the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion, in collaboration with the Marche Region, organised the GearUP! Sarajevo events at the premises of the Europe House in Sarajevo.
The events brought together EU and UN representatives, key GCE players, EU and Western Balkan national authorities, EU projects implementers, local and regional authorities, NGOs and youth to jointly explore the transformative power of youth engagement for sustainable development.
The events included a European Networking Seminar on Global Citizenship Education (GCED) for sustainable development, the Networking Talks on mainstreaming youth engagement and widening partnerships for SDGs and an Info Session about the GearUP! Third Parties Support scheme.
The GearUP! Sarajevo events presented the key dimensions of GCED with a view to foster the understanding and upholding of its values and vision in both the and in Westen Balkan countries: respect for human dignity, promotion of strong and peaceful relationships with diverse people, support for people in need, environmental responsibility. The GearUP! Sarajevo events were a path-finder exercise to explore possible paths to capitalise Global Citizenship Education and the DEAR opportunities in Bosnia Herzegovina and other Western Balkan countries, providing outstanding networking opportunities and space for cross-fertilisation, identification of good practices and lessons learnt.
The GearUP! Sarajevo events were kicked-off with the opening remarks by Gilles KITTEL (DG REGIO, European Commission), who reiterated the European Union’s commitment to global education and civic engagement, and the importance of partnerships in tackling significant challenges such as climate change and depopulation.
The Keynote Speaker Ingrid MACDONALD, UN Resident in Bosnia and Herzegovina, explored how the cooperation and coordination of different levels of government and a collaborative approach involving various stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector and youth, are crucial to create a positive context to effectively tackle sustainable development challenges
The European Networking Seminar saw the participation of Ditta Trindade DOLEJSIOVA (GENE), and Martin GUILLERMO-RAMIREZ (AEBR), who discussed how youth engagement can foster sustainability by providing concrete examples and lessons learnt
In a very interactive Round Table, the GearUP! project partners shared their lessons learnt and recommendations on implementing Third Parties Support schemes, showcasing ongoing efforts to promote best practices, tools and experiences in implementing SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship), guiding participants in identifying a set of opportunities for effectively engaging youth in sustainable development cooperation at regional, national and international level.
A groundbreaking Networking Talks session, explored youth-centred and youth-led initiatives implemented by stakeholders such AEBR Balkans, LDA Mostar, RYCO, the EUSAIR Youth Council and youth organisation Klubs “Māja”, and focused on operationalising the SDGs at local, regional and international level.
Last session of the day was aimed at presenting the GearUP! financial opportunities addressed to small local authorities and civil society organisations in 5 Western Balkan countries with a view to strengthen youth engagement and accelerate progress towards sustainable development and gender equality. The Adriatic Ionian Euroregion will in fact soon publish a Call to fund projects aimed at raising young people’s awareness and critical understanding of sustainable development in Bosnia Herzegovina, Albania and North Macedonia.
This project is co-funded by the European Union. The contents of this publication is the sole responsibility of AIE and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
