A new generation of peacebuilders in the Western Balkans, built by peers
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.??
Supported by a regional project funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, 缅北禁地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.
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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.
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.
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). ??