For the eighth consecutive year, the RYCO Local Branch Office in Serbia, with support from the OSCE Mission to Serbia, hosted a capacity-building training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on project proposal writing in the areas of intercultural exchange, peacebuilding, and reconciliation. The 2025 edition took place on Kopaonik mountain from 7th to 10th August, bringing together 13 CSO representatives from across Serbia. The program aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge and provide hands-on experience in designing impactful project proposals that foster regional cooperation and reconciliation in the Western Balkans.
Djordjo Cvijovic, Local Program Officer at RYCO Serbia, opened the training by welcoming participants and expressing gratitude to the OSCE Mission for their long-standing partnership. He emphasized the critical role that empowered youth and active civil society play in promoting mutual understanding and reconciliation across the region.
Over four intensive days, participants engaged in interactive lectures, group work, and practical exercises. Guided by trainers and the RYCO team, they developed concrete project ideas aligned with the priorities of RYCO’s open calls for CSOs. Sessions covered all stages of proposal development, including identifying challenges faced by youth, setting realistic objectives, designing coherent methodologies, and preparing budgets. Participants also explored how to integrate intercultural exchange activities into their projects to encourage meaningful learning and engagement among young people.
The training featured two key tools developed jointly by RYCO Serbia and the OSCE Mission: the Beginner’s Manual for Project Proposal Writing 101, which provides a step-by-step approach to effective project design, and the Participation Game, which actively involves young people in shaping project ideas to ensure they address real needs and foster genuine engagement.
