ALDA Balkans

28/07/2026

⏳ The deadline is almost here!
There are only a few days left to apply for the Regional Storytelling Academy, taking place from 24–28 August 2026 in Struga and Ohrid, North Macedonia.
If you’re 18–29 years old and passionate about storytelling, photography, culture, art or creative expression, this is your chance to learn from experienced mentors, meet young people from across the Western Balkans, and develop skills that will stay with you long after summer ends.
🌊 Five days.
📖 Four storytelling disciplines.
🤝 One unforgettable regional experience.
📅 Applications close on 31 July 2026. Don’t wait until the last minute!
🔗 Apply through the link in our bio.

27/07/2026

Which type are you?

Don’t miss your chance to join the Regional Storytelling Academy taking place 24–28 August 2026 in Struga and Ohrid, North Macedonia 🇲🇰
✨ Applications are open until 31 July 2026.
If you’re passionate about storytelling and want to explore what inspires and motivates you while connecting with young people from across the region, we’d love to hear your story.
Apply before the deadline by filling out the form in bio.

23/07/2026

Why Struga and Ohrid?

Because stories don’t exist in isolation.
They belong to places. To people. To memories.

This August, we’ll gather on the shores of Lake Ohrid with 24 young people from across the Western Balkans to explore storytelling through photography, literature, performance, film and conversation.
If you’re 18–29 and curious enough to listen, create and tell stories of your own, we’d love to have you there.

Applications are open until 30 July.

📍 Struga & Ohrid, North Macedonia
🗓️ 24–28 August 2026

Apply before 30 July through the link in our bio.

21/07/2026

🎥 ALDA Balkans on Telma TV

Katica Janeva, Director of ALDA Balkans, spoke on Telma TV about the upcoming Regional Storytelling Academy, part of the Shared Horizons project.

From 24–28 August, young people from across the Western Balkans will gather in Struga and Ohrid to explore storytelling, cultural heritage, dialogue, and peacebuilding.

📺 Watch the interview below!

Expertise France ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy

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09/07/2026

The results of the first public call of YES iHub – Youth Environment and Social Innovation Hub have been announced!

Through this first public call, 22 projects of non-governmental organisations and informal groups will be supported, with a total value of €430,000.

The supported initiatives cover a wide range of topics – from environmental protection and climate action, through social innovation, culture and creative industries, to inclusion, youth activism, mental health, and the participation of young people in the development of local communities.

The Youth Environment and Social Innovation Hub (YES iHub) project is implemented by Juventas in partnership with Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, ALDA, and the Network for European Policies Master. The project is funded by the European Union and co‑funded by the Ministry of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non‑Governmental Organisations.

📢 Objavljeni su rezultati prvog javnog konkursa YES iHub – Youth Environment and Social Innovation Hub!

Sa zadovoljstvom objavljujemo da će kroz prvi javni konkurs biti podržana 22 projekta nevladinih organizacija i neformalnih grupa, u ukupnoj vrijednosti od 430.000 eura.

Podržane inicijative obuhvataju širok spektar tema – od zaštite životne sredine i klimatskih akcija, preko socijalnih inovacija, kulture i kreativnih industrija, do inkluzije, omladinskog aktivizma, mentalnog zdravlja i učešća mladih u razvoju lokalnih zajednica.

Zahvaljujemo svim organizacijama i neformalnim grupama koje su učestvovale na konkursu i svojim idejama pokazale spremnost da doprinesu razvoju održivijih, uključivijih i inovativnijih zajednica.

Čestitamo svim dobitnicima sredstava i radujemo se realizaciji njihovih projekata i rezultatima koje će zajedno sa mladima ostvariti širom Crne Gore.

📄 Odluka o finansiranju dostupna je na internet stranici Juventasa.

Projekat Youth Environment and Social Innovation Hub (YES iHub sprovodi Juventas u partnerstvu sa organizacijama Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, ALDA i Mreža za evropske politike Master. Projekat finansira Evropska unija a kofinansira Ministarstvo regionalno-investicionog razvoja i saradnje sa nevladinim organizacijama.

https://juventas.me/odluka-o-finansiranju-projekata-nevladinih-organizacija-i-neformalnih-grupa-kroz-i-javni-konkurs-yes-ihub/

08/07/2026

Regional Storytelling Academy

Make this summer unforgettable by joining 24 young people, aged 18-29, from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia for four days of learning, creativity and intercultural exchange.

From the 24th until the 28th of August, in Struga and Ohrid, participants will learn about all the storytelling technique and their importance in preserving cultural heritage.

Develop practical skills in photography, visual narratives, interviewing, oral history and multimedia production; explore digital and innovative approaches to storytelling with experienced regional and international trainers; and discover responsible ways of communicating history and cultural heritage while countering disinformation.

And imagine all this while drawing inspiration from one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, and taking part in interactive workshops, field activities and collaborative projects. You will have the chance to explore storytelling as a powerful tool for dialogue, cultural preservation and peacebuilding while writing your own unforgettable summer story.

We look forward to welcoming a new generation of storytellers ready to build bridges across the Western Balkans, one story at a time.

The Shared Horizons project, Component 2, is implemented by ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy and supported by Expertise France.

Fill in the form and join the fun: https://forms.gle/vJPveZ4FdyEazAp99

Application deadline: 31.07.2026

Agencija lokalne demokratije Mostar Agencija za lokalnu demokratiju Niksic / LDA Montenegro Local Democracy Agency LDA Subotica Local Democracy Agency of Kosovo ALD Zavidovici Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Prijedor Centar Lokalne Demokratije Lda Udhetimi Lire

30/06/2026

🔵 Open Call for Research Expert(s)

ALDA is looking for an experienced research expert or research team to carry out a research study on participatory democracy, civic engagement and democratic resilience across Europe.

The study will examine how participatory democracy contributes to stronger democratic governance, identify good practices from across Europe and the Western Balkans, and provide recommendations to support future policies and initiatives.

The assignment will run from September to December 2026.

📅 Deadline: 20 July 2026
🌍 Eligibility: EU nationals with relevant expertise

🔗 Read more: https://shorturl.at/p5zaP

30/06/2026

How do the media tell the story of European integration? Do citizens receive enough information about the process that is shaping the future of North Macedonia?

In the documentary “Media for the EU: The Story of European Integration”, produced by BIRC, you will hear the views of journalists, experts, and civil society representatives on the role of the media in the European integration process, the challenges of reporting, the fight against disinformation, and the importance of professional journalism.

The documentary follows the experiences from the project “Media for the EU”, implemented by BIRC in partnership with Eurothink - Centre for European Strategies and ALDA Balkans, with the support of the European Union.

📺 Watch the documentary and discover why European integration is not only a political process, but also a process of informing, transparency, and active citizen participation.

Како медиумите ја раскажуваат приказната за европската интеграција? Дали граѓаните добиваат доволно информации за процесот што ја обликува иднината на Северна Ма...

29/06/2026

🎈 Shared Horizons Digital E-book: Bridges that connect

Summer is here, so there’s no better time to make a scrapbook. Check out the scrapbook filled with great memories, cool photos, new friendships & pen pals, and shared memories.

Dive into the amazing stories that connected the Western Balkans region through the fantasy, imagination, and creativity of young people across the region.

Read the behind‑the‑scenes experiences of the mentors and participants, who emphasize again and again that the knowledge and experience gained through is truly unique and unforgettable.

Led by ALDA - European Association for Local Democracy and supported by Expertise France, this initiative focuses on engaging young people in cultural heritage preservation.

⭐ Read here: https://shorturl.at/FSle3