YOUth SHAPE EU: Young Voices for Europe’s Future – Ancona, 28 May 2025
On 28 May 2025, the Faculty of Economics “Giorgio Fuà” in Ancona hosted the international youth event YOUth SHAPE EU – Bridging Borders, Building Belonging, bringing together young people, students, young professionals, and youth activists from across Europe and the Adriatic-Ionian region.
The event focused on EU Cohesion Policy, Enlargement, and the role of youth in shaping a more inclusive Europe. It featured interactive workshops, expert-led sessions, and youth-led storytelling activities. Participants engaged in vibrant discussions on cross-border belonging, integration, and democratic participation.
Filippo Alabardi, Executive Officer of the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative Permanent Secretariat, took part as a keynote speaker. His speech, titled "The Current Geopolitical Landscape in the Western Balkans", highlighted the role of the AII and the EUSAIR macro-regional strategy in supporting the EU integration journey of candidate countries. He also addressed the varying levels of progress made by AII participating countries towards EU membership, the methodology of enlargement, and the key geopolitical and socio-economic challenges that lie ahead.
The event was organised by IVY (Interreg Volunteer Youth) in collaboration with regional and academic partners. Here the agenda of the event.