Meet the EUSAIR Youth Council 2024–2025

Welcome to the official page of the EUSAIR Youth Council for the 2024 mandate period (October 2024 – September 2025).

Here you will find short biographies of our Youth Council members.  Explore the profiles to learn more about the diverse voices shaping the Adriatic-Ionian Region through youth engagement and cross-border cooperation.

Albania

Name: Altin Guberi
Email: altinguberi@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 1 – Blue Growth

Altin Guberi, a 29-year-old from Librazhd, Albania, holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Physics. He is currently working in the field of translations and is actively engaged as a youth activist
across various civil society communities in the Western Balkans.
With over three years of experience spanning multiple industries, Altin is highly skilled and passionate in areas such as Customer Relations Management, Technology, Marketing, Translations, Teaching, and non-governmental organizations. He is recognized for being dynamic, open to new opportunities, and deeply committed to contributing to a better world for all.

Altin is driven by a continuous desire to acquire new skills and to develop innovative, flexible approaches. He thrives on empowering and motivating individuals to realize and deliver their full potential within society. His involvement includes participation in awareness campaigns, conferences, discussions, and hands-on activities with various organizations.

Name: Melpomeni Nelaj
Email: themelpo@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region

Melpomeni Nelaj comes from Tirana, Albania. With a formal background in civil engineering, she has moved through working in architecture, design, and artistic practice toward urban policy — guided by a growing commitment to how spatial and social systems shape our lives. Currently based in Belgrade, Serbia, she is pursuing a master’s degree in Integral Urbanism. Her approach is grounded in care, curiosity, and connection — centering questions of sustainability not just in infrastructure, but in how we relate to one another and imagine our shared futures. Having lived in several Balkan cities, she brings a regional lens to the complexities of belonging, transformation, and everyday life.

She is a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, contributing to Pillar 2, focused on Connectivity. She hopes the Council can become a space for collective reflection and action — where young people connect across borders, reimagine systems that no longer serve us, and help shape a region that is more open, just, and alive.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Name: Adnan Solak
Email: adnansolak02@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism

Adnan Solak is a 23-year-old Political Science and International Relations student from Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a focus on diplomacy, geopolitics, and European integration.

He is a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council and actively engaged with both the Foreign Policy Initiative BH and the Paneuropean Union BiH, where he contributes to promoting active civic engagement and EU accession dialogue. In addition to his academic and policy work, he has experience in the tourism sector, which has enriched his understanding of cultural exchange.

Name: Anastasija Katić
Email: katic.anastasija1@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 1 – Blue Growth

Anastasija Katić is coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Currently she is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Novi Sad.

Anastasija was a PR manager and journalist and has led various social and environmental youth projects. Her efforts in mental health and environmental protection have impacted over 300 young people, earning her recognition as Volunteer of the Year of Republic of Srpska.

As a student of industrial engineering, she has participated in numerous student-led projects aimed at enhancing informal education in technical sciences.

Regarding EUSAIR Youth Council she is a leader for Pillar 1 and also part of Council’s Communication team.

Being part of the EYC, she hopes that the voice of young people will become more significant in decision-making processes, and that through collaboration we will build a more connected and stable
future

Greece

Name: Gerasimos Avgerinos
Email: gerasimosavgerinos@hotmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality

Gerasimos Avgerinos comes from Kefalonia island in Greece. He completed his undergraduate studies in Political Science and Public Administration at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with Honours Dinstiction, having also participated in several Erasmus+ and CIVIS mobility programmes.

He has conducted interships for the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN and Reporters United Athens based network of investigative journalism. He is part of the Pillar 3 of the EUSAIR Youth Counci for the Environmental Quality and Biodiversity.

He believes that EUSAIR Youth Council can be a vehicule to express the hopes and fears of Gen Z for the current environmental degradation and to claim the further intergration of youth to the agenda setting of the macroregional strategy.

Name: Georgios Kapasakalis
Email: georgekapagr@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 5 – Improved social cohesion

Georgios Kapasakalis, a 29-year-old based in Athens, Greece, holds a Master’s degree in Human Geography and a TEFL certification. His academic and professional pursuits center on education, migration, and digital inclusion. Currently, he works as a digital literacy instructor, where he teaches Python, HTML, and Google tools to young refugees and migrants.

Georgios has been actively involved in a variety of volunteering and non-formal education projects across Europe, including in Greece, Spain, and Italy. His work focuses on supporting youth through language learning, IT skills development, and fostering intercultural dialogue. He is fluent in Greek, English, and Spanish, with basic proficiency in German.

Deeply passionate about youth empowerment and education, Georgios is committed to building bridges across cultures through technology and international cooperation. He proudly represents Greece as a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council

 Croatia

Name: Antonio Grujevski
Email: antonio.arhitekt@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality

Antonio Grujevski is an architect based in Zagreb, Croatia, with a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from the University of Zagreb. His work integrates architectural heritage with forward-thinking, sustainable design, drawing inspiration from movements like the New European Bauhaus.

Antonio has worked with several architecture firms and earned first prize in the “Skopje of the New Generation” competition for his project “Lotus for Her: A Sustainable Oasis in Skopje’s City Park,” which emphasizes sustainability and community inclusivity.

Beyond his architectural practice, Antonio is deeply involved in regional efforts across the Balkans that promote the European Green Deal, youth empowerment, and sustainable development. As a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, he is committed to advancing climate change mitigation and making EU green policies more accessible to young people and professionals, driving a more sustainable future for the region.

Name: Lara Šare
Email: lara.sare.hr@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region

Lara Šare comes from Šibenik, Croatia. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computing at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb. Her studies focus on programming, system administration, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy systems, combining technical knowledge with an interest in sustainable innovation.

Lara has experience as a STEM tutor and student council leader, where she developed strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. She has also participated in youth innovation competitions, including the EUSAIR POPRI Youth and a national hackathon, earning 4th place in both.

She currently serves as the group leader for Pillar 2 – Energy within the EUSAIR Youth Council, contributing to youth-led efforts in promoting renewable energy and regional cooperation.

Italy

Name: Alessando Bosco
Email: boscoalessandro97@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 1 – Blue Growth

Alessandro Bosco is a representative of the EYC from Italy.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Diplomatic Sciences and a master’s degree in International Relations. During his studies he has lived in Belgium and in the Netherlands, which enhanced his perspectives on European values.

He is currently active in a local youth association fostering civic action, participation and engagement. Following his current job expertise, he has also an interest in the blue economy and in the maritime sector.

Name: Luisa Centonze
Email: luisacentonze1997@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism

Luisa Centonze comes from Lecce, Italy. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Management from the University of Salento and has complemented her education with international experiences, including an Erasmus exchange in Spain and participation in European conferences. Her background combines human resources, innovation, and public sector collaboration, with a strong focus on digital transformation and sustainable development.

Luisa is currently part of the EUSAIR Youth Council, representing Italy, and actively contributes to youth engagement and cross-border cooperation in the Adriatic-Ionian area. Her work spans from project planning and strategic communication to the use of AI in human resources and data-driven investment monitoring in public health.

She believes the EYC should be a space for active dialogue and opportunity, helping young people become agents of positive change through regional collaboration, innovation, and shared values. Her aim is to make the region a more inclusive, transparent, and forward-looking environment for future generations.

Montenegro

Name: Lejla Hadžijusufović
Email: hadzijusufoviclejla@outlook.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality

Lejla Hadžijusufović holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Montenegro and completed academic exchanges at Middle East Technical University in Turkey and Paris Lodron Salzburg University in Austria, where she also attended courses on gender equality.

She is currently completing her Master’s thesis on cultural diplomacy and soft power at the University of Montenegro and pursuing an MBA in Sustainability, Innovation, and Leadership at the University of Tomorrow. She currently serves as RECONOMY Intervention Manager at Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, where she leads green and digital economic interventions. Previously, she coordinated small innovation grants under the regional project Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Western Balkans, focusing on smart, green SMEs.

Lejla also acts as Regional Project Development Advisor and is active in stakeholder engagement, proposal writing, and donor cooperation. She is a participant in the EU Environment Academy and certified in the Inclusive Systems Approach.ž

Name: Vladimir Perazić
Email: vladimir.mmcg@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 5 – Improved social cohesion

Vladimir Perazić is the Secretary General of the Youth Network of Montenegro, where he plays a leading role in coordinating national youth initiatives and advocating for greater youth participation
in policy-making.

He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of the Union of High School Students of Montenegro, contributing to the development and oversight of youth-led projects and educational advocacy. In addition to his civic and organizational roles, Vladimir is an active volleyball referee licensed by the Association of Volleyball Referees of Montenegro, demonstrating his longstanding engagement in sports alongside his commitment to youth empowerment.

North Macedonia

Name: Ankica Sokolić
Email: ankicasokolich@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region

Ankica Sokolić comes from Skopje, North Macedonia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in the field of Energy and Environment, and a master’s degree in Global Energy Transition and Governance. Ankica is a co-founder of Kolektiv Z, a youth-led feminist collective for climate and social justice.

Her education, work, and advocacy is focused on climate change, energy, and policy-making, with a particular emphasis on procedural justice. She currently serves as the co-chair of the EUSAIR Youth
Council, and is part of Pillar 2, focusing on Energy.

She hopes the EYC would play the role of a much-needed facilitator and voice for the youth of the region, helping achieve the goals of this macro-regional strategy and making the region a more equitable and more sustainable place, where young people can create, thrive and see a future.

Name: Blendi Hodai
Email: blendihodai@outlook.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 5 – Improved social cohesion

Blendi Hodai is a dedicated advocate for education reform, youth empowerment, and regional cooperation. He is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Forum for Educational Change, a grassroots NGO focused on improving the quality and transparency of higher education in North Macedonia.

Blendi also co-founded the National Student Body and previously led UNSHM, the country’s most prominent student movement. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International and Intercultural Studies from the Faculty of Philosophy. In addition to his civic leadership, Blendi works as a part-time facilitator and consultant, specializing in advocacy, youth participation, conflict management, and peacebuilding. He has collaborated with various organizations, including UNFPA in Skopje.

San Marino

Name: Francesco Moroni
Email: francescomoroni52@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 2 – Connecting the Region

Francesco Moroni is a PhD student in Project Management at the University of Parma and a Research Fellow working in the fields of sustainable supply chains and project management. With a solid background in Management Engineering and hands-on experience in project management, logistics, transport coordination, and supply chain optimization, he brings a systems-oriented perspective to regional development.

Since 2024, Francesco has served as one of the two representatives of San Marino within the EUSAIR Youth Council, with a particular focus on Pillar 2 – Transport. In this role, he contributes to shaping youth-inclusive strategies for sustainable and efficient mobility across the Adriatic-Ionian region, advocating for innovation, integration, and intramodality in transport systems.

He firmly believes that even small improvements in the macro-level connectivity across the Adriatic-Ionian region can significantly reduce the perceived distance between geographically close, yet logistically disconnected, countries — fostering greater cohesion, mobility, and regional integration.

Name: Lia Gasperoni
Email: gasperonilia@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 4 – Sustainable Tourism

Lia Gasperoni, from San Marino, has a background in international relations and a strong passion for development and cooperation, particularly in rural and agricultural areas. Coming from a small and
often inward-looking country, she sees macroregional cooperation as a powerful opportunity for connection and growth, especially for young people.

She firmly believes that, despite their differences, the Adriatic and Ionian countries can come together, share ideas, and build something meaningful. Her purpose in this role is to represent the youth of San Marino and ensure their voices are heard in shaping the region’s shared future

Serbia

Name: Petar Stevanović
Email: petar.stevanovic.118@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 5 – Improved social cohesion

Petar Stevanović was born in Surdulica, a town in the far southeast of Serbia. He completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, where he developed a strong interest in ethical theory and political thought. His academic research primarily focuses on normative ethics and bioethics, with a special emphasis on the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and biotechnology. In addition, he explores questions in political philosophy, particularly those related to power and justice.

Beyond academia, Petar is also involved in social and political activism. His work is rooted in the struggle against neocolonialism and aims to promote social justice at the global, national, and local levels. He advocates for the emancipation of marginalized communities, with a focus on systemic change and decolonial perspectives.

As a part of the Pillar 5, he hopes to contribute to shaping inclusive regional policies through a youth-driven, justice-oriented lens. He sees this platform as an opportunity to amplify the voices of young people from underrepresented and peripheral regions. His aim is to help build bridges between local struggles across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Name: Milica Stankić
Email: stankiceva.m@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 3 – Environmental Quality

Milica Stankić is a dedicated legal professional and enthusiastic advocate of EU policy, currently serving as an intern at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is also actively involved in youth advocacy as a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council.

Her professional journey includes legal roles with BETA Europe, involvement in fundraising efforts for MEU Berlin, and representation of youth perspectives at high-level platforms such as the Forum of Future EU. Fluent in Serbian and English, with a working knowledge of German at the A1/A2 level, Milica thrives in multicultural settings.

She combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to democracy, sustainability, and youth empowerment. Her dedication is reflected in her participation in public speeches, Model EU events, and various Erasmus+ projects, where she consistently works to amplify young voices and promote positive societal change.

Slovenia

Name: Andrea Damjanović
Email: damjanovica06@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 5 – Improved social cohesion

Andrea Damjanović comes from Ljubljana, Slovenia. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, with a focus on political theory. Her academic interests revolve around governance, policy-making, and regional cooperation.

Andrea is an active member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, where she tries to contribute to discussions and initiatives aimed at shaping a more inclusive, participatory, and youth-oriented macro-regional
strategy.

She is passionate about creating platforms that empower young voices in the political and civic landscape, because young people’s voices should be heard.

She believes the EYC has the potential to serve as a strong bridge between youth and decisionmakers, fostering a region where future generations can thrive, lead, and innovate.

Name: Petar Mrdović
Email: petar.stevanovic.118@gmail.com
Pillar: Thematic Pillar 1 – Blue Growth

Petar Mrdović has a strong academic and professional background in European affairs. He holds a double Master’s degree in European Studies from the University of Ljubljana and Public Policy and Governance from the University of Passau.

He furthered his expertise at the College of Europe in Bruges, specializing in EU International Relations and Diplomacy. Petar has represented Slovenia as a Young Delegate to the Council of Europe and served as a Slovenian EU Youth Dialogue Ambassador. He actively promotes EU values, civic engagement, and youth participation through various initiatives. Currently, he is member of the EUSAIR Youth Council.