ADRIATIC IONIAN REGION IS YOU(TH) - AI-NURECC PLUS Panel

AI-NURECC PLUS is an Initiative aimed at involving local and regional authorities, as well as other stakeholders, to support entrepreneurship, transnational clusters, and digital innovation hubs activities in the Adriatic and Ionian Region. It is capitalising on the results of the AI-NURECC project and is contributing to the implementation of the main objectives and pillars of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), operating in the fields of Sustainable Tourism, Cultural and Creative Industries, and Circular Economy.

The Event took place on November 15 and 16 in Split (Croatia) and focused on youth engagement, inter-university cooperation and regional development in the Adriatic and Ionian region. The AI-NURECC PLUS partners actively contributed to the event with the session on inter-university cooperation prepared by UniAdrion, the Assembly of municipalities gathered by FAIC and a Youth panel coordinated by the Adriatic-Ionian Euroregion, as well as a side-event organized by Forum AIC.

The AI-NURECC PLUS project, through the Adriatic Ionian Euroregion (AIE), was represented at the Youth Consultation Task Force table during the Split Youth Conference. The Forum AIC showcased the experiences of young entrepreneurs, leaders in their sectors, aiming to provide an interregional perspective on the challenge of the 'Brain Drain' phenomenon.

UniAdrion held a session on inter-university cooperation where key representatives from Adriatic-Ionian universities brainstormed on ideas to foster connections in the Adriatic-Ionian area, such as joint master’s degrees and the creation of an organized network of experts working on shared projects.

Representing the Western Balkans Alumni Association (WBAA), Mr. Milan Stojanović, a Regional Board Member, actively engaged in a dedicated session focusing on youth involvement. The session delved into networking, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and initiatives centered around sports, integration, and social inclusion.

Mr. Stojanović, concurrently serving as the coordinator of the Adriatic Ionian Youth Network (AIYN), provided valuable insights derived from his personal journey since AIYN's inception in 2019. He elucidated the significant milestones that shaped the network into its present form.

During his presentation, Mr. Stojanović introduced both WBAA and AIYN, elucidating WBAA's operational mechanisms. He highlighted the potential benefits that WBAA could derive through collaborations like AI-NURECC PLUS and its partnership with AIYN. These alliances, he explained, could facilitate a vital connection between the Western Balkans and EU countries, fostering mutual growth and contributing to the expansion of AIYN as well.

Milan Stojanović

Novi Sad, Serbia, 20^th of December 2023