Are you ready to explore your story, connect with young people from across the Western Balkans, and express yourself through creativity? ROOTED is a regional youth project bringing together young people from Albania, Kosovo, Serbia and North Macedonia to explore identity, culture, and shared experiences through storytelling, digital media, visual arts and creative expression.

About the Project

ROOTED brings together young people from across the Western Balkans for a unique regional journey where creativity becomes a tool for dialogue, understanding, and reflecting on the past. Through this journey, selected participants will have the opportunity to:

✨ Participate in online learning sessions and creative workshops

✨ Develop skills in storytelling, digital media, literature, and visual arts

✨ Collaborate with young people from the Western Balkans

✨ Create their own artistic or digital production

✨ Take part in a regional youth exchange in Elbasan, Albania

✨ Present their creative work through a final exhibition and win prizes

What Will You Experience?

🎨 Two hands-on training programmes

🕊️ Explore reconciliation, dealing with the past, and intercultural dialogue (4 to 5 September)

🖋️ Learn practical skills in digital media, creative writing, and visual arts (11 to 12 September)

💡 Create with purpose, working with other young people to develop creative products that tell stories, spark conversations, and reflect your perspectives

Eligible Countries

This youth exchange is open to participants from:

🇦🇱 Albania

🇽🇰 Kosovo

🇲🇰 North Macedonia

🇷🇸 Serbia

Who Can Apply?

You can apply if you are:

✅ Between 18 and 25 years old

✅ From Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, or North Macedonia

✅ Interested in creativity, media, storytelling, art, and intercultural dialogue

✅ Motivated to learn, collaborate, and make a positive impact in their communities

✅ Available to participate in the online sessions and the youth exchange in Elbasan

Whether you are already involved in creative fields or simply have a story you want to share, ROOTED is a space where your ideas, experiences, and creativity can grow. We are looking for young people interested in arts and culture, digital media and storytelling, intercultural dialogue, and youth participation and social change.

🎨 Also open now: ESC Volunteering in 🇦🇱 Albania 🎨 Ecology, Arts and Youth Activities → https://youthworkshub.org/21763

Important Dates

Please make sure you are available for the following activities:

🖥️ Online Capacity Building Trainings: 4 to 5 September 2026 and 11 to 12 September 2026

🌍 Regional Youth Exchange in Elbasan, Albania: 27 to 31 October 2026

Participation in the activities above is required for selected participants.

How to Apply

Deadline for applications: 21 August 2026.

📝 Info and application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv2vYWYZiW97gdH6VUjiz2GciKt7p3LO9W_II7GRM43Hd2Fw/viewform

This project will be implemented by Peace Volunteering Network Albania in collaboration with THY NGO Kosovo, Kreator Kumanovo and Novotarium Serbia.

🌳 You might also like: Erasmus+ Youth Exchange in 🇷🇴 Romania 🌳 Reforestation and Digital Tools for Environmental Action → https://youthworkshub.org/21478