EUSAIR Youth Council (EYC)

Ergena is a first-term member of the EUSAIR Youth Council and a fifth-year student pursuing a Master of Science in Urban Planning and Environmental Management. Her academic interests focus on sustainable development, environmental management, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban and regional planning. As a member of the Council, she aims to contribute to promoting sustainable development across the Adriatic-Ionian region, strengthening youth participation, and supporting innovative solutions that connect environmental protection with inclusive and resilient communities.

EUSAIR represents one of the few joint structures where both the EU Member States and Accession Countries maintain a joint footing in shaping the future of the Adriatic and Ionian region. Therefore it stands as a great venue for learning and practicing the dynamics of solidarity and coordinated action. This is why I took the opportunity to join these efforts to develop a more connected and future-proof region.

I joined the EUSAIR Youth Council to collaborate with exceptional minds across the region, uniting our efforts to influence meaningful, systemic change. I believe that transitioning our communities toward a stronger future requires synthesizing technical precision with strategic advocacy. My focus is on supporting our collective ambition, ensuring that our shared dialogues translate into tangible frameworks and scalable solutions that permanently elevate the Adriatic-Ionian region.

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

As an Informatics graduate with a focus on IoT and artificial intelligence, he believes technology is a powerful catalyst for regional development. he joined the EUSAIR Youth Council in hopes to bring fresh ideas to bridge the significant gap that exists in the region between digital innovation and policy-making. His goal is to ensure that youth voices are heard and that modern solutions are better utilized to improve sustainability and regional connectivity.

Panagiota is a Civil Engineering graduate from the University of Patras, specializing in Environmental and Hydraulic Engineering. Her professional interests focus on water resources management and climate change adaptation. Driven by a deep passion for environmental sustainability and a strong connection to the Adriatic-Ionian region, she joined the EUSAIR Youth Council to bring a technical perspective to environmental policy and to bridge the gap between engineering practice and regional decision-making.

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.

Lara is a Computer Science student passionate about cybersecurity and building secure software. She joined the EUSAIR Youth Council (Pillar 2 – Energy) to explore opportunities for young people and share them with her peers, helping to counter brain drain in the region. Through the council she hopes to help build practical tools for youth, including the EUSAIR Youth Mentorship Network.

I joined the EUSAIR Youth Council to exercise active citizenship and channel my love for our territory into a concrete goal: improving the living conditions of our communities. I see European cooperation and regional cohesion not as ends in themselves, but as the most powerful tools we have to build a more prosperous and sustainable future for everyone in the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Beyond my studies in political and social sciences, I have been part of and worked for grassroots organizations and movements at both national and European level, mainly focused on empowering youth, women and people with migration backgrounds.
I joined because I am eager to translate concrete, grassroots needs into policy, particularly within a macro-regional strategy that connects the two countries I come from.

Stefan is a Computer Science graduate (BSc) from the University of Montenegro and the Co-founder of SeaSense (seasense.me), an AI-powered marine water quality monitoring startup for the Adriatic coast. Alongside his entrepreneurial work, he is passionate about European integration and international cooperation. Stefan combines his technical background in AI and data with a strong interest in environmental protection and youth education. As a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, he is motivated to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable Adriatic-Ionian region and to promote innovation and cooperation among young people across the macro-region.

Lejla 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. She coordinated small innovation grants under the regional project Inclusion and Economic Empowerment in the Western Balkans, focusing on smart, green SMEs.

Co-founder and CEO of MindsMatter, a youth-led organization from North Macedonia working at the intersection of mental well-being, community development, and youth participation. Her experience spans civic engagement, grassroots initiatives, international cooperation, and youth-focused programmes at both national and European level. Through her work with MindsMatter, and local communities, she has contributed to initiatives fostering social inclusion, community resilience, and sustainable development. Within EUSAIR, she is particularly interested in advancing environmental awareness, resilient and sustainable communities, and a stronger understanding of the interdependence between environmental quality, public well-being, and the opportunities available to young people across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Blendi Hodai is a youth leader, civic activist, and co-founder of the Forum for Educational Change, working on higher education reform, student participation, and institutional accountability in North Macedonia. He currently serves as Chairperson of the EUSAIR Youth Council for the 2025–2026 mandate.

Andrija combines professional experience in European Territorial Cooperation with an academic background in spatial planning and regional development. Through his work on cross-border cooperation programmes and his doctoral research, he is particularly interested in territorial cohesion, sustainable regional development, and strengthening cooperation between communities across borders. As a member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, he hopes to bring a territorial and youth-oriented perspective to regional policy discussions and contribute to building stronger connections across the Adriatic-Ionian region.

Milica Stankić combines a background in international law and diplomacy with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, democracy, and youth empowerment. Through her experience in public institutions, local development projects, and international youth initiatives, she has developed a particular interest in green spaces, sustainable urban development, and environmental protection. She is passionate about promoting cross-border cooperation and empowering young people to contribute to greener, more sustainable communities.

Anja is a geographer with a strong interest in climate change, adaptation strategies, marine and coastal environments, and sustainable tourism. Her academic background and research experience have shaped her interest in understanding the impacts of climate change and exploring ways to help coastal regions adapt and become more resilient. As an EU Young Ocean Advocate and member of the EUSAIR Youth Council, she hopes to contribute to meaningful youth participation in regional decision-making and foster cooperation across the Adriatic-Ionian region to address shared environmental challenges.

Tinkara is a Pharmacy student passionate about youth work and advocacy, currently serving as a Youth Delegate in Respect of Slovenia to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. By representing those whose voices are commonly disregarded, I am to contribute to a more inclusive and democratic future.

With a background in contemporary art curating and cultural diplomacy across Europe and South-East Asia, Chiara would like to ensure that arts and culture become, and remain, a staple of efforts to improve social cohesion across the Adriatic-Ionian Region. She believes this can be achieved collectively and creatively across generations, while developing sustainable tourism, transportation and blue economies.

Francesco 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.