Balkan Youth Cooperation

23/07/2026

🌍 From 13–17 July, Marientina Kontse Niki Braniste and Anthi Angelopoulou participated in the Erasmus+ training course “T4T Next Generation” in Ljubljana, Slovenia, exploring the links between climate change, environmental sustainability, public health, and youth participation.

Throughout the programme, our participants worked in multicultural teams, exchanged ideas with young people from across Europe, and deepened their understanding of topics such as climate migration, urban heat, environmental awareness, and community engagement.

One of the highlights of the training was the opportunity to design educational activities on sustainability and environmental action, while also presenting and discussing real-world challenges related to climate change and health. Through these experiences, participants strengthened their skills in non-formal education, teamwork, communication, and intercultural cooperation.

Beyond the learning sessions, the programme created a space for meaningful cultural exchange, new friendships, and valuable international networking, inspiring participants to remain actively engaged in creating positive change within their communities.

A heartfelt thank you to No Excuse Slovenia for organising and hosting this inspiring training course, and to Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum SEE for bringing our organisations together and making this collaboration possible.

16/07/2026

🇪🇺 Our volunteer, Αφροδιτη Γκορτσου , participated in the European Parliament Plenary Session Study Visit in Brussels, gaining first-hand insight into the work of the European Parliament through committee meetings, institutional briefings, and discussions with policymakers.

The programme included a presentation on the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, as well as engaging discussions on Artificial Intelligence and Human Control in AI-enabled Military Systems, with a focus on human rights, accountability, and policy options for the European Union.

It was a valuable opportunity to better understand European decision-making processes and some of the key challenges shaping the future of Europe.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Γραφείο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στην Ελλάδα for once again organizing an excellent and enriching study visit, creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage directly with European institutions and policies.

26/06/2026

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11/06/2026

🌿 What if energy doesn’t just come from systems… but from people?

What if humans themselves are the most powerful renewable source we’ve been overlooking? ⚡️

On June 16, BYC joins a conversation organised by Youth Climate Diplomacy Forum SEE Hellenic National Youth Council & Sustainable_City

We’re coming with questions. And stories. And something that doesn’t quite fit into “traditional sustainability language.” 🌍✨

Stay tuned 🔜

🔗 Registration link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNRKHcwZelmhTRhGEWdsyXOIkQHx4v5z-wEIGZVSzn1wTZEA/viewform?usp=header

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29/05/2026

🚀 Less than 15 days left until the European Youth Policy Lab: AI in Action!

Artificial intelligence is already transforming the way we study, work, and engage in public life.
Are you ready to take part in the conversation?

📍 On June 12 in Athens, young people, youth workers, students, and individuals interested in politics, education, and innovation will gather at the European Youth Policy Lab: AI in Action for an interactive program featuring:

✨ Discussions on AI in academic writing
✨ Ethics & academic integrity issues
✨ Interactive simulation & mini policy brief drafting
✨ Networking with youth organizations

🗓️ 12 June 2026
📍 Europa Experience, Athens
🗣️ Working language: Greek

⚠️ Limited spots available and applications are still open!

👉 Apply today! Linnk in comments

Eurodesk EU Youth Hub Γραφείο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στην ΕλλάδαMaria Ioanna DritsaΌμιλος Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Θεμάτων

27/05/2026

Do join us!

Apply here: https://forms.gle/rnb2wKShcQ23Q2jc9

Βιωματικό Εργαστήριο για την Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη (AI) στον Ακαδημαϊκό Χώρο | Europa Experience
«European Youth Policy Lab: AI in Action – Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Academic Research and Policy-Making: Opportunities, Limitations, and Ethical Challenges»
Το εργαστήριο θα λάβει χώρα την Παρασκευή 12 Ιουνίου 2026 στη 13:30 και φιλοξενείται από το Γραφείο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στην Ελλάδα στις εγκαταστάσεις του στο Europa Experience, Σταδίου 44-46, στο πλαίσιο της κοινότητας together.eu.
Την εκδήλωση διοργανώνουν δύο οργανισμοί νεολαίας που προωθούν την ενεργή νεανική πολιτειότητα στην Ευρώπη, το Balkan Youth Cooperation και το European Student Think Tank. Ο χορηγός επικοινωνίας είναι το Pool of Young Journalists in Europe του Eurodesk.
Η είσοδος είναι δωρεάν, ενώ θα δοθούν και πιστοποιητικά παρακολούθησης,
https://forms.gle/KmLUddkdAapEQNNLA

25/05/2026

We’re still excited about this one ✨

The volunteers of Balkan Youth Cooperation Stavroula Tsitsiri Spyridoula Giannopoulou and George Antonopoulos, with Theodora Vounidi as Chair, organized a panel at the Sixth Helsinki Conference on Emotions, Populism and Polarisation held at the University of Helsinki.

Our panel, “Politics of Power and Narrative in the Balkans: Populism, Foreign Policy, and Memory”, was the only session fully dedicated to the Balkans at this year’s conference — and we’re really proud of that.

It was a great opportunity to bring Balkan perspectives into a wider global conversation on emotions, populism, and polarization, and to share ideas across disciplines and regions.

Big thanks to the organizers for having us and for the smooth coordination 💙
Hopefully next time we’ll be there in person too!

22/05/2026

🚀 European Youth Policy Lab: AI in Action 🤖✨
Artificial Intelligence as a Tool for Academic Research & Policy-Making

📍 Athens | 12 June 2026 | 13:30–16:30
📌 Europa Experience, Stadiou 44–46

The European Student Think Tank and the Balkan Youth Cooperation are joining forces in a dynamic collaboration, together with a network of partner organizations, to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in academic research and policy-making.

💡 What you will do:
• AI in Academic Writing & Research
• Ethics, Critical Thinking & Academic Integrity
• Interactive Simulation: Drafting a Mini Policy Brief
• Networking with youth organizations working on European Union affairs

🎯 Limited spots available
💸 Free participation
📜 Certificate of participation provided
🇬🇷 working language: GR
👉 Apply now: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xpZIATnMPWgSHKiFatAKiXfHsCcewPFydQA89oM1h4U/viewform?edit_requested=true&pli=1

🤝 Supported by:
• Όμιλος Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Θεμάτων
• EU Youth Hub

📣 Communication partner:
• Eurodesk(Fani Apospori)

📍 With the kind hospitality of:
Europa Experience, Γραφείο του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου στην Ελλάδα

🤝 Organizing Committee:
• Balkan Youth Cooperation: Theodora Vounidi & Annia Korneeva (Co-founders)
• European Student Think Tank: Maria Ioanna Dritsa (EST Ambassador – Lead Representative for this event)

Supported by the EST team:
• Roberta Leale (International Officer)
• Alba Córcoles (Partnerships Officer)

16/05/2026

We are proud that our members Spyridoula Giannopoulou Stavroula Tsitsiri Aphrodite Gkortsou participated in the Youth Policy Dialogue on Tourism, hosted by European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas on May 15th, 2026 at the Athens Conservatoire.

At Balkan Youth Cooperation, we strongly believe in the importance of meaningful youth participation in policymaking and dialogue. We are especially happy to see young people actively contributing their ideas, perspectives, and proposals on the future of Europe.

Opportunities like this create space for constructive dialogue, empowerment, and stronger youth representation in decision-making processes.

12/05/2026

We were honored to participate in the panel discussion “Safeguarding Civic Space in the Digital Age: Digital Disruptions, Civic Space and Democratic Resilience” during the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting II.

Representing Balkan Youth Cooperation, our co-founder Theodora Vounidi spoke about one of the central pillars of BYC’s work this year: the role of Artificial Intelligence in academic life and the ways it is reshaping young people’s learning experiences, knowledge production, academic integrity, and civic engagement within digital environments.

The intervention also focused on the responsibility of universities and educational spaces in strengthening democratic resilience and supporting critical thinking in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Additionally, insights were shared from the BYC x GAFG essay competition on the “Right to an Analog Life,” which explored young people’s perspectives on AI, autonomy, mental balance, and the importance of preserving meaningful human connection in the digital age.

We sincerely thank IFIMES for organizing this important panel and for the invitation to contribute to such a timely and meaningful discussion.