European Youth Capital 2028: We have a winner!
It’s one of Europe’s youngest capitals - gaining capital status after the country's independence in 2006. It’s in a country negotiating EU accession, a Western Balkan frontrunner, and it's a city recognised by a strikingly modern Millennium Bridge. Montenegro’s vibrant capital Podgorica has officially been awarded the title of European Youth Capital 2028.
A young capital ready to change course
Podgorica’s ~200,000 residents often describe their city as a place where “everyone knows everyone, or someone who knows someone.” It’s intimate, connected, and community-driven. And that closeness has become the driving force behind its European Youth Capital vision. Because Montenegro is small - around 630,000 people - this title isn’t only for Podgorica’s youth. It’s for all young Montenegrins, with the city aiming to spark a domino effect of good practices nationwide. A strong emphasis is placed on reaching underrepresented youth: from rural areas, Roma communities, LGBTIQ+ young people, and youth with disabilities, to all those who face socioeconomic barriers.
And with Podgorica perfectly placed between the Adriatic Coast and the Dinarides mountain range, natural cross-border connections make it an ideal hub for Balkan youth cooperation.
As Podgorica’s team put it, “Podgorica envisions becoming a youth-centred city that is dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable, where young people actively participate in governance, drive social change, and lead innovation,” and being European Youth Capital 2028 will be "a national moment of unity, showing how young people can lead the country’s European future.”
Investing in the spaces and people who create change
Podgorica’s European Youth Capital journey is all about transforming the city into a place where “Youth [truly] Makes the City.” That means investing in infrastructure, capacity, and long-term support.
By securing the European Youth Capital 2028 title, Podgorica isn’t just celebrating, it made a promise to its young people!
Want to know more about the European Youth Capital?
Each year, the European Youth Forum gives a European city the chance to showcase their innovative ideas, projects and activities that aim to strengthen young voices and bring young people’s perspectives to all aspects of city life. Since 2009, over 10,000 events have been held, cities have secured tens of millions in additional funding and over 12,000 volunteers have helped to deliver the projects.
Coming up: Applications for the European Youth Capital 2029
Does your city have what it takes to become the next European Youth Capital? 💪 Stay tuned as the 2029 call opens very soon!
Related articles & publications
Beyond a single capital: how Tromsø is building a community across Northern Norway
In Honningsvåg, Norway’s northernmost city, the local rock band Hekla Stålspiker takes the stage. A crowd of young people gathers, marking the start of European Youth Capital 2026 far from Tromsø itself. This is just one out of 14 opening ceremonies organised across Northern Norway.
More ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+
Yesterday the European Parliament adopted a Resolution laying down its negotiating position on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028 to 2034, following the proposals by the European Commission from last year. Read our statement to find out why the Resolution offers more ambition for Europe’s future, but not as much for Erasmus+.
European Youth Capital 2029: we know the 5 finalist cities
2026 belongs to Tromsø, it's the year where Northern Norway puts youth participation and creativity in centre stage. The spotlight will then move south to Parma in 2027, before landing in Podgorica in 2028. But what about 2029? The shortlisted cities are in and the race is officially on.