From 22 to 27 September 2025, the small town of Berovo, North Macedonia welcomed young people from Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia for the youth camp called “The Reconciliation Ground.”
At the beginning, the participants focused on getting to know each other and building a safe space where everyone felt respected and free to share. This atmosphere made it easier to open difficult conversations and to listen to different perspectives.
During the week, the camp explored important topics for the region. Through workshops and group activities, the youth worked on intercultural dialogue and reconciliation, learning how to understand differences and find common ground. One of the highlights were the applied theater workshops, where participants used creativity and role play to experience reconciliation in a new and emotional way. They also worked on media literacy, discussing how young people can protect themselves from misinformation and how media shapes the way we see each other.
On the final days, the group moved from reflection to action. They designed local action plans that will continue the spirit of the camp in their own communities, making sure the ideas born in Berovo will not stop there, but grow into new initiatives for peace and cooperation.
The camp was part of the District of Reconciliation project, led by the Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture Foundation and co-funded by the European Union.
For the participants, “The Reconciliation Ground” was not only a camp, but also a chance to build friendships, to learn from each other, and to imagine a more peaceful future for the Western Balkans.
More photos from the camp can be found here.