Building friendships where divisions once stood

For many, it is the first time they have spent several days side by side with peers from communities they rarely meet in everyday life.

The gathering is part of the Youth Empowered through Inclusive Schools and Societies (YESS) initiative, which creates opportunities for young people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds to meet, learn and collaborate. Through workshops on media literacy, dialogue and peer mediation, the camps offer a safe space where participants can build skills and form meaningful connections.

At first, many arrive quietly, unsure of what to expect. Some come from places where interaction between communities remains limited. But over the course of a few days, the atmosphere begins to shift. Group exercises encourage teamwork, language activities introduce basic phrases in Albanian and Serbian, and small discussion circles open space for honest conversations about stereotypes, social media and the pressures young people face today.

By the second day, the room feels different. Participants who were hesitant at first begin speaking more openly, and what started as a structured workshop becomes something more personal: a space where young people feel comfortable listening to one another and being heard.

One participant, Gramos Geci, described the camp as one of the best training experiences he had attended.

“The three-day camp was one of the best experiences among all the trainings I have attended. We had the opportunity to learn a new language and explore different cultures. I truly look forward to participating in similar activities in the future.”

For many participants, the camp is more than a training opportunity. It is a rare chance to meet peers whose daily lives unfold in different languages, communities or social environments, and to see one another through shared interests rather than stereotypes.

Another participant reflected on that change: “Before coming here, I had never really spoken with someone from another community. Now we are planning to stay in touch and maybe even work together on a project in our schools.”

The camps are part of a wider effort. Across YESS activities, around 13,000 young people and 700 teachers have taken part in initiatives promoting dialogue, critical thinking and inclusive participation. Language courses and camps have reached 4,590 students across 11 municipalities, while 24 multi-ethnic youth projects involving more than 900 participants have led to workshops, campaigns, podcasts and other creative work on media literacy, misinformation and online hate speech.

Many young people leave with more than new skills. They return to their schools and communities with new ideas, new perspectives and, often, new friendships that continue beyond the programme itself.

In a place where everyday interaction between communities can still be limited, even a few days of dialogue can open the way to something larger: understanding, cooperation and lasting friendships.

Youth Empowered through Inclusive Schools and Societies (YESS) was implemented by UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with civil society partners and funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), advancing SDGs 4, 10, 16 and 17.