Enlargement fatigue and Democratic Backsliding in the Balkans

written by Gevin Sherko, Albania

In his recent speech at a meeting with Albanian diaspora in Milano, Italy, the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama did not hesitate at throwing shades at the European Union regarding the prospects of Albania joining the European Union. Rama attributed the lack of progress to the “slow Brussels bureaucracy” which is moving with “turtle-like steps”.… Continue reading Enlargement fatigue and Democratic Backsliding in the Balkans



Issues with Youth Employment in North Macedonia

written by Katerina Kamchevska, Northern Macedonia

Like in many countries in the Western Balkans, youth in North Macedonia faces the same issues related to unemployment. In general, the job market is too limited and restricted to offer opportunities for the youth, starting with the capital, Skopje, and extending to other cities where the population and economy are significantly lower.



The Return of the Debate on Abortion

written by Marija, Augusta and Gabriele, Lithuanian team

The issue of women’s right to abortion, after effectively being resolved decades ago with the worldwide consent about it, is currently returning with a vengeance. It is particularly discussed nowadays when taking into consideration that various countries are making it illegal…



MultiКулти Fest 2025: Celebrating International Youth Day

written by Arta Abduli Isaki, North Macedonia

On August 12, the MultiКултиYouth Center marked International Youth Day with its annual MultiКултиFest, a lively mini-festival that brings together young people, local artists, and the community to celebrate creativity, culture, and youth engagement. Now in its third consecutive year, the festival has become a key event for fostering self-expression and community spirit among youth.



For women’s right to abortion

written by Ksenija Petrović, Serbia

In 2021 a young Polish woman, Izabela, was admitted to the hospital due to pregnancy complications. Her fetus had many problems and disorders and could not survive. But doctors were hesitant to operate on her because of a new law in Poland that bans abortion except in cases of incest and rape. Isabella’s condition worsened. She texted her mother: “my temperature is rising, I don’t think they will operate on me until the fetus’s heart is beating, and by then I could get sepsis.” She died a few hours later.





Role of youth and Erasmus + programme in promoting reconciliation in deeply divided societies of the Western Balkans

written by Sanin Bilić, Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this article we will explore how does the EU contribute to the reconciliation process, promotion of multiculturalism and interethnic cooperation along with increasing overlapping identities through the Erasmus + programme.



Sorting Facts from Fiction – Textbook and Curriculum

INFO, Serbia

As part of the MEDActive Youth: Informing the Balkans project, a textbook and curriculum on news literacy titled “Sorting Facts from Fiction: Critical Thinking vs. Information Disorder and Propaganda” have been developed. These publications represent a valuable resource – a comprehensive teaching material pack – for educating youth about news literacy and critical thinking. The… Continue reading Sorting Facts from Fiction – Textbook and Curriculum







United in diversity

written by Teodora Cekić, Serbia

The WeBalkans Young European Ambassadors is a non-political, activist program that was launched in August 2020 which is now a creative  network  of  future  young  game  changers  from  across  the  Western Balkans



Do young Serbs travel enough and why does it matter?

written by Tamara Balaš, Serbia

Even though it seems that travel is easy and accessible to everyone, the situation in Serbia is somewhat different and more complex than it is for other countries in the world. Serbia is well-known as a country with a rich culture and history and has become more connected with other European countries in the past few years but several factors like economic difficulties, cultural dynamics, geopolitics, and general politics affect the amount of travel for young Serbs.