The 11th meeting of the Youth Council of the European Union Strategy for the Adriatic-Ionian Region (EUSAIR), organised as part of the activities of the Italian Presidency of the Strategy, took place in Rome on 23 and 24 October.
The Youth Council is an independent advisory body that represents the perspective of the younger generation from the countries of the Adriatic-Ionian area. As an integral part of EUSAIR’s governance, the Youth Council interacts with the Governing Board and the Thematic Steering Groups of the Strategy, contributing recommendations, proposals and views on key macro-regional policies and initiatives.
The meeting in Rome provided an important opportunity for discussion and planning for the members of the Council from the ten countries participating in the Strategy, with some delegates also able to follow the proceedings remotely. The meeting also provided the first opportunity for the new members who have joined the Youth Council to meet in person.
During the two days, the young representatives deepened their knowledge of the EUSAIR Strategy and its institutional functioning, evaluated the activities carried out over the past year and discussed new initiatives aimed at strengthening the involvement of younger generations in regional cooperation processes. The work also made it possible to define the strategic priorities of the Youth Council for the two-year period 2026–2027 and to strengthen the role of young people in the governance process of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy. In particular, the discussion highlighted the importance of strengthening internal communication and concentrating efforts on a more limited number of initiatives, prioritising their quality and concrete implementation. The work also made it possible to identify the Youth Council’s priorities for the period 2026–2027 and to strengthen the role of young people in the governance process of the Adriatic-Ionian Strategy.
Particular attention was paid to the planning of new activities promoted directly by the members of the Youth Council, to strengthening the internal organisation of the Council and to defining the strategic priorities that will guide the work of the body during the two-year period 2026–2027.
Opportunities for capacity building and support for the implementation of initiatives promoted by young people were also explored through mentoring courses and projects dedicated to participation and innovation in the territories. Votes were also held to assign internal roles and appoint members to the working groups of the Strategy’s Thematic Pillars.
During their stay in Rome, the participants also had the opportunity to pay an institutional visit to Palazzo Chigi, the seat of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, gaining a deeper understanding of the role of national institutions and Italy’s contribution to European macro-regional cooperation. The young participants expressed their appreciation for the welcome extended by the Italian Presidency from the time of their arrival in Rome, as well as for the atmosphere of dialogue and participation that characterised the two days of work.
The meeting confirmed the central role of the Youth Council as a tool for the active participation of young people in the governance of the EUSAIR Strategy, fostering dialogue between institutions and new generations and contributing to building a more inclusive, sustainable and future-oriented Adriatic-Ionian region.