NVO GLAS, u okviru regionalnog projekta “Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans”, objavljuje peti intervju u seriji razgovora sa mladima i omladinskim liderima evropskih vrijednosti. Ovim projektom nastoji se osnažiti uloga mladih u evropskim integracijama i reformskim procesima, podstičući njihovo aktivno učešće u oblikovanju budućnosti Crne Gore i regiona.
Naša sagovornica ovoga puta je Tijana Vlahović, 22-godišnja studentkinja druge godine master studija međunarodnih odnosa, nakon završenih osnovnih studija socijalnog rada i socijalne politike. Posebno je interesuju diplomatija i društveno-politička pitanja, a pored akademskog angažmana bavi se umjetnošću – slikanjem, fotografijom i muzikom. Društvena angažovanost za nju ima posebno mjesto, jer kroz rad i stvaralaštvo nastoji da doprinese pozitivnim promjenama u zajednici.
Tokom razgovora, Tijana je govorila o ulozi mladih u evropskim integracijama, značaju obrazovanja i dijaloga u regionu, izazovima poput „zamora od proširenja“, kao i o metodama koje mogu podstaći mlade na aktivnije uključivanje u procese demokratizacije i saradnje. Posebno je podijelila svoja iskustva sa kick-off događaja ovog projekta u Podgorici, održanog 7. jula 2025. godine, gdje se prvi put oprobala i kao moderatorka panela “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?”, što joj je, kako ističe, obogatilo vještine i motivisalo je da nastavi sa aktivnim doprinosom omladinskom angažmanu.
Intervju je vodila Milica Dedić, izvršna direktorica NVO GLAS. Intervju sa Tijanom slijedi u nastavku.
NVO GLAS: Kako si se pripremala za vođenje panela o angažmanu mladih u procesu evropskih integracija i na koji način si kroz ovu ulogu doprinijela ciljevima projekta koji promoviše uključivanje mladih u evropske procese i regionalnu saradnju?
Tijana: Za vođenje panela pripremala sam se kroz istraživanje ključnih tema evropskih integracija i uloge mladih u tim procesima, kao i kroz upoznavanje sa specifičnostima učesnika kako bih uspjela da istaknem njihove unikatne perspektive. Poseban fokus stavila sam na pronalaženje načina da pitanja budu jasna i podsticajna za diskusiju, kao i da formiraju prijatnu atmosferu za razgovor i konekciju. Tokom samog panela trudila sam se da razgovor bude inkluzivan i da svi učesnici dobiju prostor da iznesu svoje stavove. Na taj način podstaknuta je razmjena iskustava i ideja među učesnicima iz različitih djelova regiona. Time se nadam da sam doprinijela ciljevima projekta kroz promovisanje aktivnog učešća mladih u evropskim procesima i jačanje regionalne saradnje.
NVO GLAS: Kako vidiš ulogu mladih u kreiranju pozitivnog narativa o evropskim integracijama na Zapadnom Balkanu, posebno u kontekstu promovisanja dijaloga i saradnje među zemljama regiona?
Tijana: Omladinsko učešće ključno je za kreiranje pozitivnog narativa o evropskim integracijama, iako se njihov glas često nedovoljno čuje u političkim diskursima, kako u regionu, tako i u samoj Evropskoj uniji. Mladi ne smiju biti samo publika ili sredstvo za promociju evropskih vrijednosti, već aktivni akteri u oblikovanju tog narativa. Njihovo uključivanje doprinosi većoj vjerodostojnosti procesa i gradi mostove povjerenja među zemljama regiona. Time mladi postaju nosioci dijaloga i saradnje, ali i kreatori vizije zajedničke evropske budućnosti.
NVO GLAS: Koje ključne poruke i zaključke panela “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?” održanom 7. jula u Podgorici u okviru kick-off događaja regionalnog projekta “Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans” smatraš najvažnijim za dalji rad na jačanju kapaciteta mladih u procesu evropskih integracija?
Tijana: Zaključci panela bili su veoma pozitivni, jer iako na Zapadnom Balkanu postoje duboke religijske, nacionalne i jezičke podjele, mladi su pokazali zajedničku želju za boljom budućnošću i povezanošću kroz ideju umreženog i saradničkog Balkana. Posebno je istaknuta važnost obrazovanja, koje u vremenu antiintelektualizma nažalost gubi na značaju. Ohrabrujuća je činjenica da mladi prepoznaju vrijednost znanja i da žele da se edukuju, bilo kroz formalne, bilo kroz neformalne kanale. To pokazuje da upravo njihova motivacija i spremnost na učenje mogu biti ključni pokretači evropskih integracija i regionalnog razvoja. Pitanje koje se postavlja jeste da li će Evropska unija biti ta koja će dati mladima prostora da svoja znanja, vještine i ideje pokažu u praktičnom djelovanju?
NVO GLAS: Kakav uticaj ovakvi paneli imaju na mlade i njihovu motivaciju za aktivno učešće u evropskim procesima i društvenim promjenama, s obzirom na izazove poput „zamora od proširenja“?
Tijana: Ono što najviše motiviše mlade jeste osjećaj da nisu sami, već da postoje i drugi koji dijele viziju pozitivne i bolje budućnosti. Paneli im pružaju platformu da iskažu svoje stavove, iskrena mišljenja pa i zabrinutosti u vezi procesa evropskih integracija, što jača njihovo samopouzdanje i vjeru u zajedničko djelovanje. Upravo ta razmjena ideja i osjećaj zajedništva podstiču ih da budu aktivniji u evropskim procesima i društvenim promjenama, kao i da EU doprinesu nešto svoje i integrišu vrijednosti pojedinačnih država Zapadnog Balkana na putu ka Evropi.
NVO GLAS: Koje metode i pristupe smatraš najefikasnijim za angažovanje mladih u temama evropskih integracija i demokratizacije, posebno kroz projekte poput ovog koji podržava regionalnu saradnju?
Tijana: Najefikasniji pristupi angažovanju mladih u evropskim integracijama i demokratizaciji jesu oni koji im daju prostor da budu aktivni učesnici, a ne samo posmatrači, kroz debate, simulacije i zajedničke regionalne projekte. Na taj način mladi razvijaju vještine i samopouzdanje koje im omogućavaju da se jednog dana vide i u ulogama donosilaca odluka, pa i kao predstavnici u Evropskom parlamentu, što trenutno nažalost nije slučaj. Time se šalje jasna poruka da je evropska budućnost nezamisliva bez mladih, njihovih ideja i vizija.
NVO GLAS: Šta ti je lično bilo najvrednije iskustvo tokom vođenja panela i kako ti to iskustvo može pomoći u daljem radu na jačanju omladinskog aktivizma i podršci evropskim integracijama u regionu?
Tijana: Budući da mi je ovo bio prvi put da vodim diskusiju, iskustvo je značajno obogatilo moj korpus vještina. Najvrednije mi je bilo direktno uključivanje učesnika, jer su me njihovi odgovori i stavovi podstakli na razmišljanje, dok sam ih interaktivnim pitanjima pokušala motivisati da kritički sagledaju teme. Ovaj susret mi je pokazao koliko je važno kreirati prostor za dijalog i kako aktivno uključivanje mladih može inspirisati obje strane, kako učesnike, tako i moderatora.
Razgovor sa Tijanom Vlahović jasno pokazuje da mladi u Crnoj Gori i regionu ne žele da budu pasivni posmatrači, već aktivni učesnici procesa demokratizacije, regionalne saradnje i evropskih integracija. Njeno iskustvo u ulozi moderatora panela na kick-off događaju u Podgorici potvrđuje da upravo mladi mogu biti most između različitih perspektiva i nosioci dijaloga zasnovanog na evropskim vrijednostima.
NVO GLAS vjeruje da je osnaživanje mladih poput Tijane ključno za budućnost Crne Gore na putu ka Evropskoj uniji. Ovaj intervju još jednom potvrđuje da angažovanjem i stvaranjem prostora za njihovu participaciju gradimo inkluzivnije, demokratskije i evropskije društvo.
Regionalni projekat „Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans“ realizuje se u partnerstvu sa organizacijom BIRC iz Sjeverne Makedonije (nosilac projekta), CFID sa Kosova i NVO GLAS iz Crne Gore, uz podršku Western Balkans Fund-a i kofinansiranje Evropske unije.
Interview with Tijana Vlahović: Youth as Creators of Europe’s Future
NVO GLAS, within the regional project “Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans”, publishes the fifth interview in a series of conversations with young people and youth leaders of European values. Through this project, the aim is to strengthen the role of youth in European integration and reform processes, encouraging their active participation in shaping the future of Montenegro and the region.
Our interviewee this time is Tijana Vlahović, a 22-year-old second-year Master’s student of International Relations, after completing her undergraduate studies in Social Work and Social Policy. She is particularly interested in diplomacy and socio-political issues, while alongside her academic engagement she also pursues art – painting, photography, and music. Social engagement holds a special place for her, as through work and creativity she strives to contribute to positive changes in the community.
During the conversation, Tijana spoke about the role of youth in European integration, the importance of education and dialogue in the region, challenges such as the “enlargement fatigue,” as well as methods that can encourage young people to become more actively involved in democratization and cooperation processes. She also shared her experiences from the project’s kick-off event in Podgorica, held on July 7, 2025, where she tried herself for the first time as a moderator of the panel “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?”—an experience which, as she points out, enriched her skills and motivated her to continue actively contributing to youth engagement.
The interview was conducted by Milica Dedić, Executive Director of NVO GLAS. The interview with Tijana follows below.
NVO GLAS: How did you prepare for moderating the panel on youth engagement in the process of European integration, and in what way did you, through this role, contribute to the goals of the project that promotes the involvement of young people in European processes and regional cooperation?
Tijana: I prepared for moderating the panel by researching the key topics of European integration and the role of youth in these processes, as well as by getting to know the specific backgrounds of the participants in order to highlight their unique perspectives. I placed special focus on making the questions clear and stimulating for discussion, while also creating a pleasant atmosphere for dialogue and connection. During the panel itself, I strived to ensure the conversation was inclusive and that every participant had space to express their views. In this way, the exchange of experiences and ideas among participants from different parts of the region was encouraged. I hope that I contributed to the goals of the project by promoting the active participation of young people in European processes and strengthening regional cooperation.
NVO GLAS: How do you see the role of young people in creating a positive narrative about European integration in the Western Balkans, especially in the context of promoting dialogue and cooperation among the countries of the region?
Tijana: Youth participation is crucial for creating a positive narrative about European integration, even though their voices are often not sufficiently heard in political discourses, both in the region and in the European Union itself. Young people must not be just an audience or a tool for promoting European values, but active actors in shaping that narrative. Their inclusion adds greater credibility to the process and builds bridges of trust among the countries of the region. In this way, young people become carriers of dialogue and cooperation, but also creators of the vision of a shared European future.
NVO GLAS: What key messages and conclusions from the panel “What Does Europeanization Mean to Us?”, held on July 7 in Podgorica within the kick-off event of the regional project “Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans”, do you consider most important for further work on strengthening the capacities of youth in the process of European integration?
Tijana: The conclusions of the panel were very positive, because although there are deep religious, national, and linguistic divisions in the Western Balkans, young people showed a common desire for a better future and stronger connections through the idea of a networked and cooperative Balkans. The importance of education was especially emphasized, which, in times of anti-intellectualism, unfortunately tends to lose significance. It is encouraging that young people recognize the value of knowledge and want to educate themselves, whether through formal or informal channels. This shows that their motivation and willingness to learn can be key drivers of European integration and regional development. The question that arises is whether the European Union will be the one to give young people the space to put their knowledge, skills, and ideas into practical action.
NGO GLAS: What impact do panels like this have on young people and their motivation to actively participate in European processes and social change, considering challenges like “enlargement fatigue”?
Tijana: What motivates young people the most is the feeling that they are not alone, that there are others who share the vision of a positive and better future. Panels provide them with a platform to express their opinions, honest views, and concerns regarding European integration processes, which strengthens their confidence and belief in collective action. This exchange of ideas and sense of community encourages them to be more active in European processes and social change, as well as to contribute their own ideas to the EU and integrate the values of individual Western Balkan countries on the path to Europe.
NGO GLAS: Which methods and approaches do you consider most effective for engaging youth in European integration and democratization topics, especially through projects like this that support regional cooperation?
Tijana: The most effective approaches are those that give young people space to be active participants, not just observers, through debates, simulations, and joint regional projects. This helps them develop skills and confidence, allowing them to envision themselves one day in decision-making roles, even as representatives in the European Parliament, which unfortunately is not yet common. This sends a clear message that Europe’s future is unimaginable without the ideas and visions of youth.
NGO GLAS: What was personally the most valuable experience for you during the panel, and how can this experience help you in further strengthening youth activism and supporting European integration in the region?
Tijana: Since this was my first time leading a discussion, the experience significantly enriched my skillset. The most valuable part was directly involving participants, as their answers and perspectives prompted me to reflect, while I tried to motivate them with interactive questions to critically approach the topics. This experience showed me the importance of creating space for dialogue and how active youth involvement can inspire both sides—the participants and the moderator.
The conversation with Tijana Vlahović clearly shows that young people in Montenegro and the region do not want to be passive observers, but active participants in democratization, regional cooperation, and European integration processes. Her experience as a panel moderator at the kick-off event in Podgorica confirms that youth can be bridges between different perspectives and drivers of dialogue based on European values.
NGO GLAS believes that empowering youth like Tijana is crucial for Montenegro’s future on the path to the European Union. This interview once again confirms that by engaging and creating space for youth participation, we are building a more inclusive, democratic, and European society.
The regional project “Youth Engagement for Europeanization of the Balkans” is implemented in partnership with BIRC from North Macedonia (project lead), CFID from Kosovo, and NGO GLAS from Montenegro, with the support of the Western Balkans Fund and co-financing from the European Union.