YouthBuild in the Western Balkans

About this grant

The project goal is to increase levels of youth civic participation and initiative for positive social action in the Western Balkans. To this end, YouthBuild USA will pilot programs in at least two communities with the goal of demonstrating the program’s effectiveness and scaling it up to other parts of the region. In each pilot community, young people will receive training, counseling, and mentoring and will directly engage in planning and implementing community improvements, such as building or improving playgrounds and other public spaces and upgrading and weatherizing houses. Young people involved in the project will develop leadership and practical skills by analyzing community development processes, facilitating planning meetings, and interacting with community members. During the grant period, the grantee will develop a network of nonprofits and experts that will provide technical assistance to the program over the long term. YouthBuild USA, will implement this project through its YouthBuild International division and a newly established, affiliated nonprofit in Belgrade, Serbia, called YouthBuild Fond Za Balkan.