On 19 and 20 June 2025, the CHANCE network gathered in Bucharest for a new coordination meeting within the framework of the EU Youth in Power project, hosted by our partner Asociația pentru Cooperare și Dezvoltare Durabilă.
The first day was dedicated to training and capacity building, with insightful contributions from distinguished speakers and experts, including:
- H.E. Alfredo Durante Mangoni, Ambassador of Italy to Romania
- Ulukbek Abdubaliev, OSCE
- Cristian Ducu, European Ethics & Compliance Association
- Bruno Esposito, Maestri Di Strada
- Răzvan Boștinaru, Romanian Ministry of Justice
A comprehensive training for youth engagement
We also extend our thanks to Between – Partnerships 4 Development and Open Space Foundation for leading an interactive workshop on Youth Participation and the Challenges to Their Involvement in Fighting Crime and Corruption.
The focus on youth crime prevention is particularly urgent, as recent data confirm that criminal networks are increasingly targeting young people for recruitment, especially in vulnerable communities. As highlighted by Europol, EUCPN, and other key actors, minors are being drawn into organised crime through manipulation, coercion, and false promises. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated action, peer learning, and the active involvement of civil society, all elements at the core of the CHANCE network’s mission.
Strengthening joint actions
The following day, CHANCE members reconvened for a dedicated board meeting to define key internal steps. This discussion has paved the way for broader opportunities for participation, both at the European and international levels, reinforcing the inclusive nature of our network.
In addition, CHANCE proudly supported Libera – Associations, Names and Numbers Against Mafias in promoting their campaign Fame di Verità e Giustizia (Hunger for Truth and Justice), launched in Italy last May, which calls for truth, justice, and accountability for the victims of organised crime and corruption.
Next steps
Looking ahead, the CHANCE training programme continues with two international sessions already scheduled as part of the CHANCE Training Plan 2025:
- In Tirana, Albania, at the end of September 2025, hosted by ENGIM Albania, with a focus on the social reuse of confiscated assets, youth employment, and the role of the social economy in preventing criminal infiltration.
- In Berlin, Germany, on 14 and 15 November 2025, hosted by mafianeindanke e.V., focusing on media literacy, civic monitoring, and countering disinformation.
We remain committed to building capacity, sharing knowledge, and amplifying civic engagement to confront organised crime and corruption together. More updates will follow soon as we continue to grow our common efforts across Europe and beyond.
EU Youth in Power is a project co-funded by the European Commission under the Erasmus+ programme.
