Aims of the project:

• Equip participants with a solid understanding of the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, its key pillars, country-specific opportunities, and the broader EU integration perspective.

• Enable participants to identify concrete, regionally relevant policy challenges linked to the Growth Plan and transform them into actionable, realistic policy proposals.

• Train participants in modern policy-development tools and methods, including design thinking, hackathon methodology, policy brief writing, infographic design, and effective pitching.

• Foster practical teamwork and regional collaboration by guiding mixed-country teams through the full cycle of developing, prototyping, refining, and presenting Growth Plan-aligned policy solutions.

• Produce high-quality, implementation-ready policy outputs (policy briefs, infographics, and recommendations) that can be used by EPP sister parties and presented to decision-makers in the Western Balkans and Brussels.

• Support networking among pro-European young people from South Eastern Europe.

Practical Information
Working language: English (no interpretation provided).
Speakers / Experts: Staff and policy experts from the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
(Wilfred Martens), Representatives from partner institutes, foundations, and regional organisations.

Financial arrangements 

The organisers will fully cover the costs of both modules:

• The online Zoom training

• The in-person event costs in Croatia (lectures, full board, and accommodation in twin-bed rooms)

• The organisers will also cover your international travel to/from Croatia

(Please do not buy any tickets before consulting with us)

What is NOT covered (participants pay themselves):

• Airport transfers in city of departure and arrival

• Travel insurance

• Any personal expenses