Strengthening the West Balkans Initiative continues, and we have some promising news from our latest meeting in Novi Sad, Serbia, with a focus on building a stronger and more resilient movement. Here is how!
From 23rd – 26th September, we had the opportunity to attend the West Balkan Initiative (WBI) meeting, an initiative started by YMCA Movement in Kosovo for the West Balkans. This initiative is supported by YMCA Europe and The Y of the USA and serves YMCAs in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia.
This meeting hosted by YMCA Serbia in Novi Sad focused on Sustainability with a relevant agenda where the main topics were:
- YMCA Serbia programs and development
- Current YMCA Region Work Plan (Impact Measurement)
- Progress report for 2023: Serbia, Macedonia and Kosovo
- Sharing the work of the YMCAs present, overview of Bulgaria, Italy and Romania success stories & challenges
- Presentation on managing buildings of YMCAs from Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo, Italy
- Comprehensive fundraising presentation – Starting capital investment fundraising
Some of the key elements of the meeting was the focus on the benefits of unrestricted funding, as well as building a culture of philanthropy – fundraising from corporate partners and individuals. The sessions also included a thorough discussion on EU funding opportunities and Erasmus+
The meeting also presented participants with a session on YMCA hostels – developing on the good governance and best practices from the movement of YMCA Germany.
At the meeting were present – Dorina Lluka Davies – Secretary General YMCA Kosovo, Dorina Gllogjani – YMCA Kosovo , Natasa Kinik – Secretary General YMCA Serbia with young leaders – Ema Gier and Simona, Viktor Iliev – Secretary General YMCA Bitola/N. Macedonia, Natasa – youth worker YMCA Bitola together with representatives of YMCA Gabrovo Bulgaria – Executive Director Antoaneta Yankabakova, YMCA Siderno Italy – Programme Director Mario Trichilo, YMCA Europe – Chief Support Officer – Alina Pop (Romania).
Although YMCA Siderno Italy is not geographically in the Balkans, its presence at the meeting is highly relevant. Siderno has been a strategic partner in fostering collaboration with Balkan YMCAs through various international projects. Their involvement has contributed significantly to cross-border cooperation, the exchange of best practices, and the strengthening of regional networks. This partnership highlights the importance of shared objectives and collaboration between YMCAs, regardless of location, in driving impactful work across Europe.
In hybrid sessions were attending representatives of YMCA USA – Tom Valentine – VP International Group and Adriana Stanovici – Director, Global Equity Initiatives and Leadership and YMCA Germany – Claudia Kuhn – Executive Secretary Signs of Hope, Christian Zinser – CVJM Lebenshaus Baden and Stefan Nicklas– CVJM Munich.
The progress of the WBI Action plan 2023-2025 created to enable suitable growth of the West Balkans YMCAs was presented and disseminated also with the YMCA USA and YMCA Germany representatives, great supporters for building and nurturing this partnership and communion in the region.
The Action Plan is aiming to improve the situation in 3 key areas:
- youth programs (improve program quality, reach more young people),
- good governance (improve governance, structures, transparency, financial discipline and establish policies of good conduct),
- self – sustainability (build meaningful partnership, income generating programs, fundraising strategies and secure capital investments as a strategic goal for sustainability).
The discussions continued with examples of property development – lessons learnt, successes and challenges regarding the YMCA buildings in Gabrovo Bulgaria, Kosovo, Romania, Siderno Italy and the importance of fundraising combined with grant opportunities and partnerships in order to achieve sustainability and long term impact.
This event was a great opportunity to bring together colleagues from different YMCAs to share, learn from each other, dream, get inspired, ask difficult questions, share the challenges and build together bridges of hope, cooperation and fellowship.
Strengthening the West Balkans Initiative continues as we work collectively toward deepening partnerships, fostering peacebuilding, and empowering youth in the region. Through these shared efforts, we aim to create sustainable solutions and a lasting impact across the Balkans and beyond.
Big thank you the YMCA Serbia for the amazing hosting in beautiful city of Novi Sad!
