Empowering student leaders: ECE Brussels organises Study visit to the EU institutions and organisations
As part of its mission to promote EU integration, democratic development, and youth empowerment, the European Centre of Excellence (ECE Brussels), in cooperation with the Institute for Good Governance and Euro-Atlantic Perspectives (IDUEP), organised a study visit to Brussels for a delegation of student leaders from the University Student Assembly of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (USS UKIM) in Skopje.
Held from 4 to 7 April 2024, the visit provided an opportunity for student representatives to engage directly with EU institutions, international organisations, and Brussels-based youth networks. The programme was designed to offer the students first-hand insight into positive European practices and to foster stronger connections with key actors in the field of youth policy, education, and civic engagement at the European level. Over two intensive days, the delegation held a series of meetings with representatives of the European Commission, European networks, and Brussels-based organisations that support young people and student initiatives. Meetings and productive discussions were organised with Haralambos Papaioannou, Policy Officer, DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission; Marko Paunovic, Director of Out of the Box International; Manel Sanchez, Director, European Youth Card Association; Milos Ristevski, Secretary General, European Youth Forum (EYF); Kristina Velkovska Diaz, CFO, Junior Achievement Europe.
The delegation included the leadership of USS UKIM: President Aleksandar Nikolovski, University Ombudsperson Savche Gjoseva, Vice President Aleksandar Ristovski, Secretary Mila Jovanovic, and Head of International Cooperation David Damjanoski. The meetings were also attended by Bojan Kordalov, Director for Policy and Communication at ECE Brussels.
During their visit to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), the students discussed the latest EU youth policies and opportunities for structured cooperation between their student organisation and the European Commission. The meeting provided valuable insight into how student organisations from EU candidate countries can actively contribute to and benefit from EU youth initiatives.
At the European Youth Card Association and the European Youth Forum, the delegation explored possibilities for strengthening the practical benefits of the European Youth Card for students in North Macedonia, as well as enhancing the advocacy and representation capacities of USS UKIM at both national and European levels. Discussions also focused on how to promote more inclusive mobility opportunities and ensure that students from candidate countries have access to the same benefits enjoyed by their peers in EU Member States.
In meetings with Out of the Box International and Junior Achievement Europe, the focus shifted to fostering entrepreneurial skills among students and building stronger links between education and the business community. The students exchanged views on how to better equip young people with the skills needed for an evolving labour market and how to promote innovation within higher education.
Following the study visit, the delegation also arranged an online meeting with the Director of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) to explore further opportunities for cooperation and for expanding access to ISIC benefits for students in North Macedonia.
This was the third such study visit to Brussels organised by ECE Brussels and IDUEP. These visits aim to bring citizens and youth leaders from EU candidate countries closer to European institutions and networks, offering them an opportunity to understand the functioning of the EU and the concrete benefits of EU membership. Through this initiative, ECE Brussels continues to foster dialogue, promote youth engagement, and strengthen the European perspective among future leaders of the Western Balkans.