March 21, 2018 – CDF through its USAID AKT LS Program, following the good practices from the Southern municipalities, has established Local Youth Action Councils in Northern municipalities. The entire process of establishment was facilitated by the project consortium consisting of 4 CSO working in each respective municipality: Mitrovica North, Leposavić/Leposaviq, Zubin Potok/Zubin Potok, and Zvečan/Zveçan. Moreover, the project implemented various outreach activities with the aim to ensure the representation of all ethnic communities.

LYACs have been recognized as the key actors in the youth policy on local level in all established municipalities. The most important project of  LYAC in the North is monthly youth magazine called Nase polje and both North and South municipalities have already developed the Local Youth Action Plan, which is submitted to the municipal assemblies for approval and further implementation.

On 21st of March, the Deputy Assistant Administrator Gretchen Birkle, joined by the USAID Mission Director James Hope and DGO Deputy Director Miranda Jolicoeur met with representatives of Local Youth Action Council in Gracanica/Graçanicë. During the meeting, Mrs. Birkle was provided insight into the youth decision making process towards local authorities and their current local challenges, needs as well as their future ideas and plans.

AKT LS considers LYAC representatives as a key stakeholders and decision makers on all Community Initiative Projects within all 16 Partner Municipalities.  In Gracanica Municipality, the program worked closely on the selection of two Community Initiative Projects and provided capacity development on preparation of action plans for their particular needs and submission of action plans at the Municipal level.