Until next year – what did we do this year

The year behind us was filled with challenges, but also with numerous achievements and visions that led us forward. We have created stories that inspire, projects that change the environment and bridges that connect people across the region and Europe.

From further development of the Life Champions concept, through trade union initiatives, youth exchanges and environmental actions, to international cooperation and securing the support of institutions, every step was guided by commitment and shared values. 2024 is another proof that when we work together, boundaries disappear and possibilities become infinite. We continue on, stronger and inspired to build a better tomorrow for all.

Starting from January 2024, for us, the year was filled with significant steps in further affirmation and development of our concept “Creating Life Champions”, which continued to expand and strengthen with the support of numerous partners. From this year we are stronger for the football club Iraklis from Thessaloniki, Greece, and for 2025 we are already announcing a new expansion of the consortium.

Action planning and formalization of the continuation of cooperation with DEKI5 camp marked the first steps in new activities, and already on March 6, we started a series of info days, visiting the region – Subotica, Pljevlja, Velika Gorica, Doboj and Strumica. Through these events, we presented the goals and activities of the concept, including new opportunities for children, coaches and the clubs they come from, sharing messages with over 500 participants.

A significant step forward followed in Thessaloniki, where we gathered 40 coaches from all partner clubs for a large training session aimed at improving their pedagogical and sports skills. On that very occasion, an agreement on cooperation was signed with the oldest football club from Thessaloniki, FC Iraklis, which further strengthened our presence in the region.

We continued cooperation with GALE7 camp, which has been going on for two years, and then in the summer intensified our presence at DEKI5 camp, through six shifts filled with training, education and socializing. As the crown of our work, we organized a large international camp on Palić with more than 200 participants – children, coaches and members of the expert team. This time, the number of boys and girls was almost equal, so we have proudly showed that sport belongs to everyone. Representatives of five different countries have been added value to this event, and for many children it was the first opportunity to cross the borders of their country.

Expert group that worked tirelessly throughout the year finalized their ideas and plans in Lisbon, Portugal. Work on the final version of the module, in the creation of which coaches themselves participated, was marked by creativity and desire for further development of this unique model, and therefore we consider the module the greatest achievement of 2024. Its intense promotion will follow. The educational module is available at the following link.

We ended the year in a big style – as coordinator of the consortium made up of 20 educational, sports and youth organizations from Serbia, North Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkiye and Portugal, in partnership with the Academy Pandev Brera Strumica football club, we organized the final evaluation conference on December 1st in Strumica. At the conference, we summarized the results and laid the foundations for future steps, with the participation of representatives of the sports, education, youth sector, international organizations, local administrations, diplomatic corps and media. We were especially pleased with the support we received on that occasion from the Life Champion’s concept ambassador Goran Pandev.

Our work was also recognized through continuation of support from the UEFA  Foundation for Children, which will enable realization of the project “Life Champions 3.0: every child has a right to be the champion” next year. A special focus will be on children without parental care, giving them the opportunity to develop their potential through sports.

In addition, towards the end of the year, we received valuable support from the Cabinet of the Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities in the field of gender equality, prevention of violence against women and economic and political empowerment of women. This partnership allowed the concept of life champions to gain even wider social significance, especially in the fight against peer violence. After the initial training attended by 30 coaches, through activities in several cities throughout Serbia, we plan to activate children and young people, raise their awareness of this important problem and empower them to become agents of change in their communities. This represents another step in expanding our holistic approach to development of children and youth, providing them with the tools to build a society based on respect, equality and solidarity. Together we continue to build champions – on the field, in school and in life!

Also, the year behind us was marked by continuation of the TUNE project, the results of which showed the strength of young people and their willingness to be the bearers of positive changes. Our participants left an impressive mark on the study visit to Brussels, where they had the opportunity to discuss important topics in the heart of the European administration, but also to present their ideas within the framework of the European Youth Strategy. We are also proud of the participation of our representatives at the annual networking event in Thessaloniki, where, for the third time in a row, we were guests of the partner USB organization from Greece. In a friendly and inspiring atmosphere, young people exchanged experiences and ideas with peers from the region, building not only networks of cooperation, but also friendships that will last. TUNE continues to inspire, connect and empower young people to actively participate in creating a future that belongs to all of us, making young people a more active part of society.

We must not forget the significant trade union activities that marked this year. The beginning was in March, when the trade union MLADI PLUS and Ljubljana hosted young union activists within the project “Trade Unions – a new impetus for youth participation”, supported by the European Union through KA3-European Youth Together, which brought together partners from North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkiye, Greece and Slovenia. This inspiring exchange was a prelude to the second study visit to Brussels, where the working part was enriched by a visit to the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), an organization that represents more than 8 million public service workers across Europe. As the climax of trade union activities, the final conference was held on November 28 in Skopje. On that occasion, with the coordination of the Union of Administration, Judiciary and Citizens’ Association (UPOZ) from North Macedonia, we summarized the results and concluded our trade union story this year.

In continuation, our volunteers were not forgotten this year either. As part of the partnership with the organization CET Platforma Skopje from North Macedonia, six young people from our team participated in a youth exchange in Kruševo, North Macedonia. Theme of the project was ecology and preservation of our planet’s natural resources, and our volunteers stood out for their knowledge, enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate. Their contribution did not go unnoticed – they became a key part of the international team that would actively participate in all future activities in the coming period. Their example shows how young people, guided by the right values, can become agents of change that will bring a better future for all of us.

Finally, we would like to thank all actors of our activities – volunteers, partners, friends of the Association who were part of this year’s story. Your dedication, effort and energy are driving force that inspires us to go further.

Beginning of the year 2025 will be marked by the official extension of cooperation with DEKI5 camp and Academy Pandev Brera Strumica, followed by a meeting with representatives of the UEFA Foundation for Children. In addition to the implementation of the above project, we plan to actively use the March deadline for ERASMUS+ calls in the field of youth and sports, as well as the upcoming February deadline of the European Youth Foundation. For everyone who has ideas and desire to establish cooperation, we are here!

Together we make a difference – every step, every project, every smile contributes to a world where we can all be real and true life champions!

We look back with pride on everything that was achieved in 2024 and we welcome the challenges of 2025 with great enthusiasm. Thanks to everyone who was and remains a part of our story!

Aleksandra and the team of Development Center for Youth, expanded this year for a new life champion