In 2003 young ambitious people gathered around to talk about their ideas and values in a place where they felt like their voice matters – the International Conference. 19 years have passed, and this conference is still a safe spot for young leaders whose goal is to implement the European values as the future of the South – Eastern European countries. The year 2021 was very special to us. Finally after 2 years of social distancing and zooming, we went back to the "epicenter" of youth cooperation and regional transformation – Krusevo. The 19th International Youth Conference: "European values of the future of SEE countries" took place from 30th September till 4th of October and it was as a real hybrid conference. Over 60 young activists from 16 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey) had the opportunity to debate on the European future and youth-led transformation of the region. The carefully organized program of the conference allowed the participants to reflect upon and to celebrate past accomplishments, extend the regional network, and jointly explore the current and the future actions for better, youth friendly region. To put a conference of this magnitude together is not a small task. To that end, we want to thank the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Skopje for the support in implementing this year’s event and Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Regional Cooperation Council , National Agency for European Educational Programmes and Mobility, and Goethe-Institute Skopje for the partnership. During the 19th International Youth Conference, six panel sessions with 25 panelists were held, covering the following topics:

• 1. MIND THE GAP: The Regional Transformation
• 2. BARRIERS INTO BRIDGES: Securing the European future of the region
• 3. THE YOUTH FRONTIER: Youth-led transformation of the integrative politics of the region
• 4. SUSTAINABILITY AND DIGITALIZATION: How do they fit in the narrative of transforming the region?
• 5. SHAPING THE FUTURE: How much does the future cost?

Additionally, since we strongly believe that the involvement of those who are the subjects of the policies to be developed is essential, the young participants of the conference were given the chance to participate in working groups in order to develop their visions for the region, propose policies and measures, as well as youth actions which will contribute to the realization of the created visions. The participants of the conference were divided in 3 working groups and, with the assistance of 3 facilitators and 3 reporters, came up with the following vision, recommendations for implementing that vision, and pledges for actions they commit to taking in order to ensure their vision is carried through, in the following 5 topics:

• 1. Inclusion, cooperation and partnership
• 2. Security, rule of law and corruption
• 3. Youth participation in the decision-making processes
• 4. Sustainability and greener region
• 5. Digitalisation and innovation