The Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2025 brought together 120 young leaders, policymakers, academics, civil society organizations, and peace practitioners from across Europe, Middle East, Asia, Americas and beyond for three days of dialogue, learning, and collaboration in Mitrovica, Kosova.

The Summit served as a platform where diverse perspectives met to address some of today's most pressing challenges—from democratic governance and integrity to post-conflict recovery, mental health, innovation, and intercultural understanding. Through keynote discussions, expert panels, interactive workshops, youth innovation sessions, and cultural exchange, participants worked together to transform ideas into practical initiatives that strengthen peace and regional cooperation.

Hosted in one of the Balkans' most symbolic cities, the Summit demonstrated that meaningful dialogue, shared experiences, and youth leadership can build lasting connections across communities and borders.

Mitrovica stands as one of the most meaningful locations in the Western Balkans for conversations on peace, reconciliation, and shared futures. Shaped by a complex history and diverse communities, the city offers a unique environment where dialogue is not only discussed but experienced. Hosting the Summit in Mitrovica reflects a deliberate commitment to bringing international cooperation into places where it can create lasting value. Participants engaged directly with the city's social and cultural landscape, discovering how local realities can inspire innovative approaches to bridge-building, inclusion, and community resilience.

By welcoming young leaders from across the world to Kosova, the Summit transformed Mitrovica into a meeting point for ideas, partnerships, and collective action, demonstrating that places once associated with division can become spaces of cooperation, mutual understanding, and hope.

The Summit explored the opportunities and challenges shaping peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies through a multidisciplinary programme that connected policy, education, innovation, and community action. Each thematic area encouraged participants to exchange perspectives, develop practical solutions, and strengthen cross-border collaboration. 

The Summit programme combined high-level dialogue, interactive learning, youth innovation, and symbolic peacebuilding activities, creating a dynamic environment where participants exchanged ideas, built partnerships, and developed practical approaches to today's global and regional challenges.

Reports 

Explore the official publications documenting the Balkan International Youth Summit for Peace 2025. Together, these reports provide a comprehensive overview of the Summit—from the programme, discussions, and activities to the tangible outcomes, partnerships, and long-term impact generated through an after the event.