The local branch of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) in Montenegro organised a presentation at Europe House titled “Meet the Superschools of Montenegro” as part of the Superschool Exchange Programme.
Welcoming the participants of the presentation, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Oana Cristina Popa, pointed out that the RYCO “Superschool” exchange programme is a good example of focused efforts to empower young people in the Western Balkans. Ambassador Popa told the young people that the European Union is here to support them in creating positive changes in their communities through good ideas and fresh energy.
“I sincerely believe that young people have the drive and the energy to boost the processes of reconciliation, growth, and prosperity that are so needed in the Western Balkans. I am convinced that our support for young people’s ideas and initiatives is a direct investment in fairer, more tolerant, and more prosperous societies, and in closer regional cooperation,” said Ambassador Popa.
German Ambassador to Montenegro, Peter Felten, pointed out that the project is a great opportunity for young people to meet, make contacts, get to know other’s cultures, and ultimately create unbreakable friendships. The Ambassador of France to Montenegro, Christian Timonier, said that young people should be enabled to gain as much insights as possible into the ideas and values that make up an inclusive democracy.
Minister of Education Miomir Vojinovic pointed out that the “Superschool” programme is of key importance for young people in the region, as it contributes to breaking down prejudices, creating bridges of cooperation, getting to know new cultures, and creating a better perspective for young people. Minister of Sports and Youth Vasilije Lalosevic said that the project represents an excellent opportunity to give young people a chance to develop their own ideas, and to show and develop their talents and qualities.
In his introductory presentation, Head of the RYCO local office in Montenegro, Edin Koljenovic, emphasised that he is proud of the results in the form of awarded project ideas of Montenegrin secondary schools that will be implemented in the coming period.
“We started this cycle with great results. 161 partnerships were achieved, and 155 project proposals were submitted, with a total of 100 schools from the region being awarded. 17 awarded partnerships from the first cycle of the Superschools were given the opportunity to continue their project in this cycle as well, which is a strong indicator of the commitment and interest of the schools in such a regional project. In this mission, we have the strong support of our partners – primarily the EU, and the French and German Governments,” stated Koljenovic.
Representatives of all seven award-winning schools from Montenegro presented their project ideas that focus on promoting the exchange of young people, and therefore on improving the process of reconciliation and cooperation in the Western Balkans region. In the first round, 30 projects were supported, 60 exchanges were realised, 805 young people participated in exchanges, and 118 professors from the region were involved. The fact that 50 projects and 100 secondary schools from the region have now been awarded speaks for itself.
The Superschool programme is implemented by RYCO and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and is supported by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).