23/10/2026 Bogovinje, Gjirokastër, Lipjan, Obrenovac and Tuzla have been recognised for their efforts to strengthen youth participation, build trust and create safer, more inclusive communities across the Western Balkans.
The Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Local Champions Awards were presented on 21 October 2026 during the Regional Forum of Mayors, “Local Leadership for Youth, Peace and Security – Advancing the YPS Agenda in the Western Balkans”, held in Skopje.
Through five award categories, NALAS and UNDP recognised municipal practices that demonstrate how the YPS Agenda can take shape locally—from supporting young people’s ideas and building partnerships to improving public spaces and providing inclusive services.
Bogovinje – Partnerships Champion
“Our Homeland Unites Us”
Bogovinje received the Partnerships Champion award for “Our Homeland Unites Us”. The initiative highlights the contribution of cooperation and community connections to advancing youth participation and strengthening social cohesion at the local level.
Gjirokastër – Safe Communities Champion
“Youth-led safety audits“
Gjirokastër placed young people at the centre of assessing the safety and accessibility of public spaces. Through youth-led audits of six public spaces, participants identified challenges and proposed improvements to make their community safer, more accessible and inclusive. The practice demonstrates how young people’s everyday experiences can inform municipal decisions.
Lipjan – Peacebuilding Champion
“Municipal Space for Youth-Led Peacebuilding”
Lipjan was recognised for creating municipal space for youth-led peacebuilding. Its practice highlights the role local governments can play in supporting young people as contributors to dialogue, trust and peaceful community life.
Tuzla – Inclusive Futures Champion
“Integrated Youth Support Model“
Tuzla was recognised for its integrated approach to supporting young people through psychosocial services, safe spaces and participation opportunities. With particular attention to vulnerable and marginalised youth, the model connects inclusion and well-being with opportunities to participate in community life.
Obrenovac – Youth Voice Champion
“Turning Youth Voices into Local Action”
Obrenovac was recognised for its sustained support for youth participation through its Youth Fund, established in 2010. The initiative provides a practical mechanism for translating young people’s ideas into local action, helping them take an active role in shaping their community. Obrenovac was recognised in absentia.
The awards formed part of a wider exchange among mayors, municipal practitioners, youth representatives and partners at the Forum. The Champions’ experiences offered practical starting points for discussing how municipalities can give young people a stronger voice, sustain cooperation and embed the YPS Agenda in their everyday work.
By sharing these practices across the region, NALAS aims to encourage more local governments to develop lasting approaches to youth participation, inclusion and peacebuilding.
The YPS Local Champions Awards were organised within the “Youth 4 Inclusion, Equality & Trust” project, implemented by UNDP, UNFPA, UN Women and UNESCO, with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
