WBAA Student Mentorship and Public Advocacy Training
From 24 to 27 July, in Serbia, WBAA members and students gathered for Public Advocacy training and Mentorship activities, combining skills development, a deeper understanding of WBAA’s mission, Erasmus+ promotion, and cultural experiences to inspire collaboration and lasting impact.
Four-day regional event in Serbia, 40 participants. One mission, endless impact. The event brought together local students and WBAA members from across the Western Balkans for four days of learning, networking, and inspiration. The programme blended Public Advocacy Training, Students’ Mentorship and Erasmus+ Promotion, creating an engaging mix of learning, skills development, community building, and international cooperation.
Public Advocacy Training: Empowering Alumni for Change
The advocacy training introduced participants to the principles and importance of public advocacy, particularly in the context of WBAA’s mission and goals. Through a series of interactive group activities, including case studies, stakeholder mapping, message development, and advocacy simulations, participants explored how to design and deliver effective campaigns. This hands-on approach ensured they left with both the knowledge and the practical skills needed to promote positive change in their communities as well as a better understanding of WBAA’s core mission – advocating for modernisation and internationalisation of HE in the WB region.
Students’ Mentorship: Strengthening Global Citizenship and Erasmus+ Promotion
Mentorship sessions connected experienced alumni with students, offering guidance on academic mobility, professional growth, and building sustainable alumni-student networks. Activities encouraged open dialogue, collaboration, and the sharing of personal experiences, while also highlighting the opportunities available through the Erasmus+ programme.
Recreational and Team-Building Activities
Outside the training rooms, participants strengthened their bonds through unforgettable team-building experiences, from sailing to Smederevo Fortress (a medieval stronghold of great importance to European history and culture) to exploring the Bela Crkva Lakes and enjoying the swimming pools during the hot July days, which were offered as part of the project venue facilities. These moments of shared adventure fostered trust, friendship, and a sense of unity that extended beyond the event.
Acknowledgements
A special thanks goes to Daniel Josifovski, WBAA Board Member from North Macedonia, for volunteering as the event’s photographer and capturing the spirit and energy of the gathering, as well as to Milan Stojanovic, WBAA Board Member from Serbia, who conducted the Public Advocacy training.
Serbia, Belgrade, 10 August 2025
Vesna Travica (vesna.travica.bg@gmail.com)
Edited by the Erasmus+ Support Service Team
