The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria presented the Youth Sports Games as the winner of the Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award at the reception following the RCC Annual Meeting, on 12 June 2024 in Skopje.

“The Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award is more than just a recognition. It embodies our collective aspiration to build a stronger, more integrated region where shared goals and mutual support pave the way for sustainable development and better life quality. Youth Sports Games have been selected among a number of nominees because of their exceptional commitment to fostering unity and camaraderie, transcending boundaries, and nurturing a sense of shared identity among youth from diverse backgrounds and nationalities,” said RCC Secretary General, Majlinda Bregu.

The Youth Sports Games embody the spirit of regional cooperation by focusing on uniting young people through sports. For 28 years it has served as a platform for fostering friendships, understanding, and shared values among youth from different backgrounds, gathering children from several countries in our region, and ensuring that all of them, regardless of their circumstances, can participate and benefit from the experience. They inspire the younger generation to envision a future marked by peace and mutual respect, laying the groundwork for a long-term regional harmony and development.

“Region cooperation is one central pillar of the region’s EU integration, which is a key priority of Austrian foreign policy. With this award we show our support to organisations which – guided by European values and principles – have made an outstanding, cross-border contribution to promoting this important common goal and carrying Dr Erhard Busek's legacy into the future. The award not only recognises the important achievements of the Youth Sports Games for regional integration, but will also support the continuation of their activities in the future,” said the representative of Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs, Thomas Stölzl.

Members of the jury, who unanimously selected this year’s winner, were: Maja Handjiska Trendafilova, Director of ReSPA; Juliana Hoxha Partners Albania for Change and Development; and Marko Radovanovic, Political Advisor at RCC. The winner of the Award will get financial reward in the amount of EUR 10,000, sponsored by the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria. We thank all the great many nominees, and wish them luck next year.

“We are thrilled to share that the values and significance of our project, which we all have tirelessly worked for, have been acknowledged beyond the borders of the countries where the Youth Sports Games are held. This recognition is a testament to our collective efforts and dedication. Starting this year, we are organising the competition and all our other educational and entertainment activities in Slovenia. We plan to gather 300,000 children from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Slovenia this season. The Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award is an additional motivation to continue promoting the values we have stood for all these 28 years, especially because Dr Busek was the Ambassador of the Youth Sports Games,” said Slaven Maric, Advisor to the President of Youth Sports Games, who received the award on behalf of the organisation.

The Champion of Regional Cooperation Dr Erhard Busek Award, launched in 2013 by the Regional Cooperation Council, is given every year, in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, to an individual or organisation that has contributed notably to advancing regional cooperation in South East Europe. Previous laureates include No Borders Orchestra, Exit Festival, Sarajevo Film Festival, and many others.