Pronouns: she/her

Function: EU Youth Ambassador, “No hate speech” ambassador, Youth Ambassador for reconciliation

Organization(s) involved in: Council of Europe, GLOBSEC think tank

Profile

Emina Balota is a Montenegrin peacebuilder, dedicated to advancing peace within her home country. She said that while growing up she witnessed ongoing ethnic prejudices due to the disintegration of Yugoslavia and this motivated her to recognise the importance of peacebuilding in her society. She has been involved in various peacebuilding initiatives since the age of 15, and her impact transcends local borders. She serves as an EU Youth Ambassador, a ‘No Hate Speech’ ambassador for the Council of Europe as part of the Block the Hatred – Share the Love campaign, and as a Youth Ambassador for Reconciliation with the GLOBSEC Think Tank. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations as well as an Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in European Politics and Society. Emina said she envisions launching more initiatives to continue contributing to peacebuilding in Montenegro.

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‘I think that reconciliation is really the only way to move from a divided past to a shared future.’

Emina Balota said she is firmly dedicated to changing her country. The lasting impact of the wars in former Yugoslavia continues to cause instability across the Western Balkans. She said these repercussions are felt by the youth, who struggle to make their voices heard as they strive for a society free of prejudice. Emina said that issues such as political instability, frequently changing governments and ethnic prejudice have created tensions that drove her to engage in youth peacebuilding.

Emina said she notices a recurring pattern of young people’s voices going unheard. In Montenegro, the youth are rarely asked to contribute to decision-making. Emina wants young people to be involved in state decisions, to have a say in shaping their futures. She also advocates for more investment in youth, recognising the challenges many young Montenegrins face in education and living conditions from her own experience with limited access to scholarships and other financial support.

Besides formal education, she has engaged in peacebuilding activity on topics such as democracy, European integration, human rights, social inclusion, cross-sectoral youth policy, gender equality, climate change and the role of youth in preventing violent radicalism and extremism. She has attended various trainings, including the School of Democracy, organised by Montenegro’s Centre for Civic Education. Emina is also affiliated with Civic Youth Initiative, a local NGO in her hometown, Rozaje. In high school, she volunteered and worked on projects that addressed youth concerns, from environmental protection to social issues. One initiative hosted seminars teaching young people essential workplace skills. Emina explains that finding employment as a young person in Montenegro can be difficult, as hiring decisions are often influenced more by personal connections than by candidates’ qualifications.

Emina’s work as an EU Youth Ambassador, a ‘No Hate Speech’ ambassador for the Council of Europe, and a Youth Ambassador for Reconciliation with GLOBSEC, has shown her that change starts with dialogue. She believes young people should travel around the Balkans and interact with those against whom they may hold biases, as these interactions reveal shared humanity. Emina said she prides herself on being tolerant, explaining that tolerance is key to peacebuilding which requires learning to listen without judgment in order to understand others’ perspectives. She said she is committed to encouraging conversations, promoting inclusivity and fighting against bias as a way of creating a more peaceful future in a region still dealing with its troubled history.