Power of the Youth – Standing Up for Transparency and Integrity: Young People Come Together Against Corruption

The second event “Western Balkans Next Gen: Leading the Fight Against Corruption”, was organized by the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI) in partnership with the Regional Youth Cooperation Council (RYCO) on December 5th, 2025, in Tirana, Albania. The event gathered arround 30 students, young politicians and political activists who discussed good leadership and its role in anti-corruption efforts.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mr Albert Hani, Director of the RAI Secretariat, who underscored the vital role of young people in shaping a more transparent and accountable future and Ms Teodora Stolevska, Head of Programs at RYCO, who encouraged participants to remain proactive drivers of positive change within their societies.

Mr David Muckenhuber, Head of the Regional Coordination Office at the Austrian Embassy, reaffirmed that International Partnership Austria’s strong support for youth-led anti-corruption initiatives in the Western Balkans.

Participants engaged in interactive presentations exploring key themes such as transparency and accountability, building trust between youth and government, and strengthening cooperation between public institutions and civil society organisations. The agenda also featured participatory workshops, where participants took the lead in discussing and reflecting on pressing corruption-related challenges.

The participants had the opportunity to answer questions and share their opinions. They discussed various topics and expressed their thoughts openly. It was a great chance for them to engage in conversation and learn from each other’s experiences. Everyone appreciated the chance to participate and felt that their voices were heard.

SEE-TAC II regional programme is funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds from the Austrian Development Cooperation and implemented by RAI, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The series of youth-centered events will continue throughout the duration of the project.