Youth Activities in the Balkans

written by Ena, Aleksandra and Milena, North Macedonian team, North Macedonia

People in the Balkans share quite an intensive amount of experiences, including their intertwined past but also present, especially in the cultural aspect. They share the same food, with some small regional variations, same expressions and mannerisms, and to some extent the same preference in music.





Brain Drain in North Macedonia: Facts, Causes, and Consequences

written by Arta Abduli Isaki, North Macedonia

What Is Brain Drain? “Brain drain” means that educated, skilled, or talented people leave their home country and move somewhere else, often in search of better jobs, higher pay, better working conditions, or more stable institutions. In North Macedonia, brain drain is considered a serious problem.





Youth Participation in Decision-Making in Montenegro: A Comparative Analysis with Sweden

written by Milica Damjanović, Montenegro

In most European countries, the topic of whether young people are sufficiently involved in the decision-making processes that affect them and to what extent remains ever-relevant, continually raises new questions. The goal is to advance in all respects, focusing on education and the participation of those who are the future of their countries, which should always invest in the youth and foster their desire for activism and self-improvement. Annual research generates numerous conclusions, many of which remain largely unchanged from previous years.



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



More Than Entertainment: Why Gaming Can Help Young People Learn and Grow

written by Alex Groza, Romania

Are video games really just a waste of time? This article challenges common stereotypes by exploring how responsible gaming can foster critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, digital skills, and personal growth while highlighting the importance of balance.



“Smart kids” VS old education system  

written by Sara Tanaskoska, North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, as in many other countries, there is a growing disconnect between the needs of ‘smart kids’ and the realities of the traditional education system. While students are equipped with smartphones and tablets, their classrooms often lack the technology and resources necessary to facilitate innovative learning experiences. How can we bridge this gap and create a more equitable and effective education system for all?



Yugoslavia disappears, mixed marriages disappear

written by Marija Marinković, Serbia

The news that 14-year-old Mahir Rakovac from Sarajevo killed himself at the end of 2014. after harassing a student from the Turkish-Bosnian school he attended would not be complete if we did not mention that the unfortunate boy lived in a nationally mixed, Croat-Muslim family…



The importance of science

written by Afraa Maiza , Tunisia

“We use cameras of their own making, we download pictures on computers we imported from them, we open the internet whose network they invented for us, we enter the Facebook that they chained us to, and we wear clothes with their brands written on them…”



Pro-Family Outcry: Reproductive and Gay Rights Draft Policies Spark Debate in Albania

written by LINDIANA AGOLLI, Albania

In May and June 2024, The Albanian Pro Family and Life Coalition led a campaign opposing a draft policy concerning reproductive rights. Two primary concerns raised by the coalition were the provision allowing abortions for girls over 16 without parental consent and the proposed legalization of surrogacy. Subsequently, on May 19th, the municipality of Tirana… Continue reading Pro-Family Outcry: Reproductive and Gay Rights Draft Policies Spark Debate in Albania