A new generation of peacebuilders in the Western Balkans, built by peers

^{UNFPA BiH |?Y-Peer training in Bosnia and Herzegovina.}

September 2024

A new generation of peacebuilders is emerging in the Western Balkans, driven by the values of inclusion, equality, and trust, poised to reduce tensions and build bridges in their communities and the broader region.??

“I am very happy to participate initially as a participant, and then contribute as a member of the trainers’ team. It was a very beautiful experience which made me reflect on the importance of youth engagement to prevent and solve conflicts, to respect the rights of marginalized groups and to end discrimination in our society. I would recommend to all young people, to become part of such initiatives and projects organized in their schools and towns, and why not, to come forward, speak out and exercise their abilities as peer educators,” said Ola Sejko from Kam?z, a suburb of Tirana, Albania.?

Supported by a regional project funded by the 51吃瓜 Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNESCO, a regional network of peacebuilders has expanded from 1,300 to over 2,000 young women and men. At the heart of this effort is the initiative called Youth Coalition on Peace and Non-violence Education, also known as Y-PEER. This initiative harnesses the skills and creativity of young people to promote constructive narratives, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding and trust. It is designed to empower young people as agents of positive change, placing their experiences and ideas at the centre of the learning process rather than relying solely on adult ‘experts’.?

A key element of the Y-PEER strategy is its catalytic ‘snowball’ effect. Youth who participate in the programme often become advocates, promoting the values of inclusion and diversity. These young leaders are likely to influence the future of the region, highlighting the importance of investing in youth today.?

The programme equips young leaders from diverse backgrounds – whether from rural areas, small towns or large cities, different ethnic and cultural identities - with the tools to replicate their training among peers. The trainers, themselves products of the programme, play a crucial role in expanding the network by identifying and motivating new participants. After completing the training, these youth leaders apply their Y-PEER skills in daily life, inspiring others along the way.

For instance, Hadisa Nasufi, a member of the Y-PEER network in Debar, North Macedonia, said: “In Debar, as a member of the Y-PEER network, I am engaging in activities to raise awareness of the importance of peace and tolerance among young people. One of the specific actions is the organization of educational sessions in the high school where we talk about the importance of effective communication and resolving conflicts peacefully. I used Y-PEER's training manuals and educational materials to create interactive learning sessions in my community. For example, during a workshop on human rights and the importance of respect for diversity, I used educational games and exercises that I learned during the training to help the participants understand the concepts of peace and tolerance.”?

The network’s impact is evident in the connections it fosters among young people from different backgrounds to collaborate on local peacebuilding efforts.

Emin Fafuli?, a facilitator and educator from Kakanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) said, “This project allowed me to connect with young people from different backgrounds and work together on building peace. It gave me the opportunity to work with young people from the Roma population on peacebuilding in our local community”.??

Neira Zuli?, from Biha?, BiH, said, “The project not only promoted social cohesion and intercultural dialogue but also profoundly changed my perspective on societal issues. It connected me with like-minded individuals, enriching my life in ways I hadn't anticipated. I was genuinely surprised and inspired by the number of young people in small towns who wanted to become ambassadors for peacebuilding.”??

^{UNFPA BiH?| Emin Fafulic.}

Elena Saveska from Tetovo, North Macedonia, said, “One specific action I have taken is organizing and leading dialogue sessions between diverse groups within our community. I initiated a series of dialogue workshops in my hometown that brought together young people from different backgrounds to foster mutual understanding and respect. By creating a safe space for open dialogue and cooperation, these sessions have helped to break down stereotypes, build trust, and promote a culture of peace.”?

Student-centered learning techniques ensure that educational content is memorable and impactful. Silvio Tocka’s journey exemplifies the programme’s long-term influence. He participated in a training in Prrenjas, Albania, in 2022 and afterwards he applied for and was selected to attend the annual Human and Minority Rights Academy co-organised by the Regional Youth Coordination Office and UNFPA. In 2024, Silvio also applied for a training organized under a project tackling harmful narratives, where he was recognized for his outstanding ideas.

"Participating in the training at just 15 in my small hometown of Prrenjas opened up a world of possibilities for me. Winning recognition for my project idea showed me that even young people from small towns can make a big impact. I'm more committed than ever to promoting peace and security within my community."?

As a result of Y-PEER training and network support, these youth are taking action in their towns and cities. Their ideas focus on women's empowerment, youth capacity building, and promoting peace at local level through initiatives sponsored by municipalities. Such ideas include creating virtual safe spaces in schools for anonymous reporting on violence, organizing school debates and sport events to promote tolerance and combat hate speech, planting trees of friendship, and creating art exhibitions with messages of peace in different municipalities in Kosovo¹ including South Mitrovica, ?trpce/Sht?rpc?, and Istok/Istog.

As Epirot Dreshaj, a youth representative, describes “This experience was incredibly enriching. The sessions on project management and innovative methodologies have equipped me with the tools needed to drive positive change. I am looking forward to using these skills to promote peace through creative expressions like murals.” ?

^{UNFPA North Macedonia |?Elena Saveska Skopje Workshop}

Y-PEER fosters a drive for positive change.

Erona Rexhepaj, another youth representative, remarked: "The diversity of the group and the topics covered in the training were eye-opening. This training has prepared us to implement impactful initiatives that will foster peace and empowerment in our communities."??

In 2021, the Y-PEER methodology was formalized into a comprehensive training manual on Youth Peer Education for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation. This manual, which aims to foster social cohesion and understanding among diverse groups has been translated into regional languages. With the support of the project, the manual is now integrated into educational curricula at the University of Biha? and the Faculty of Pedagogy in Banja Luka (in BiH), covering subjects such as pedagogy, socio-emotional learning, and developmental psychology, as well as in at least three high schools in Tirana, within extracurricular activities planned and implemented by students school associations. This integration ensures a lasting impact on the educational system and has proven to be self-replicable within higher education. Professors have already begun incorporating the manual's contents into their courses and extracurricular sessions, and there are plans to expand Y-PEER to pre-university and university education levels, making the manual a resource material for elementary, high schools and universities across the region. This expansion would ensure that a diverse group of young individuals receive this essential education formally in school, enabling them to promote respect for diversity and peace in their communities, and continue their work with out-of-school young people, especially those who are marginalized and vulnerable.?

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^{1 References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999). ??}

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A new generation of peacebuilders in the Western Balkans, built by peers