Behind every project is a person who believed it was possible. That is the simplest way to describe what the SALTO SEE Contact Point network does. It is not only about programmes, funding or paperwork. It is about people helping people, every day, across six countries of the Western Balkans.
Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps are European Union programmes that give young people the chance to learn, volunteer and grow abroad. But for these opportunities to become real, someone has to explain them, support the first application, answer the first questions, and stay present when things get complicated. That is exactly what the six Contact Points do.
At ADP-Zid in Montenegro, everything starts with trust. For decades, they have mentored hundreds of organisations and individuals, not only with administrative guidance, but with a genuine belief that change is possible. Their role is to be a generator of continuous learning and support for everyone who wants to take a step further, whether that step is small or life-changing.
Beyond Barriers in Albania has made inclusion the core of its mission. They do not treat inclusion as a buzzword. They actively reach out to young people with fewer opportunities, because they believe that Europe belongs to everyone, regardless of background, ability or identity. Every mobility, training and partnership they support is designed to build more inclusive communities, not just individual success stories.
In Kosovo, GAIA focuses on connection. They do not simply send young people abroad. They build links between local organisations and the wider European youth community, so that knowledge, creativity and energy move in both directions. For them, volunteering is a way to bring people together around shared values and real community needs, not just an opportunity for personal growth.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Youth Center John Paul II has spent eighteen years walking with people rather than simply informing them. They are there for the first question, the first application, and the first experience abroad. Their long-term presence has built a level of trust that cannot be created overnight. For them, volunteering is a way to bring people together around common values, and to turn those values into real action.
LDA Mostar, the newest member of the network, understands that bridges need two sides. Their work connects local realities with European frameworks, simplifying procedures and building confidence, especially for first-time applicants. Their goal is not just to inform, but to make sure that organisations and young people feel capable of taking part. They measure success not in single projects, but in long-term impact.
From Šabac, Serbia, Udruženje Svetlost builds solidarity every single day. They have seen firsthand how one project can shift a young person’s trajectory, and they have made it their mission to reach those who need it most, especially young people in rural and underrepresented areas. For them, the future of our communities depends on empathy, solidarity and action.
This is what the network has built, not just projects, but relationships, not just programmes, but trust and they will continue the story.