Albania’s Historic Steps Towards EU Membership

written by Regis Shyti, Albania

Albania has been moving steadily along the path toward European Union membership, a journey marked by both historic milestones and persistent challenges. After decades of reform and adaptation, the European Commission has opened all chapters of the accession negotiations, signaling that Albania is now closer than ever to joining the European family.



Climate change and its impacts in Bosnia and Herzegovina require more attention from young people and the media

written by Emina Bilalović, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Climate change is a global phenomenon that has significant impacts on various aspects of the environment, economy, public health, and social well-being. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country in the Balkan region of Southeast Europe, is not immune to the effects of climate change. Despite this, there is a lack of sufficient attention and awareness about the issue among young people and the media in the country.



Preserving Identity While Contributing to a Shared Future

written by Zhaklin Begaj, Albania

Albania’s journey toward European Union membership represents far more than a political or economic aspiration, it is a strategic and cultural commitment to becoming an integral part of the European family while remaining deeply rooted in its national identity.



SOCIAL MEDIA’S NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH

written by ALEKS NAKOVIKJ, North Macedonia

INTRODUCTION Social media is a revolutionary internet platform that has drastically altered people’s perceptions of the world and has become an integral part of our society. As technology evolves and expands, social media is becoming an essential tool for daily social interaction. The fact that nearly 2.65 billion people use social media on the internet… Continue reading SOCIAL MEDIA’S NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH





Fake News: An invasion of the digital age

written by Youssef Chaat, Morocco

Fake news is a misleading or deceptive information deliberately created to manipulate opinions, generate clicks, or confuse the public. It can take different forms such as: news articles, decontextualized information, videos, manipulated images, or memes, and can spread quickly on social media, reaching a wide audience.



How to feel The Balkans?

written by Tijana Pereska, North Macedonia

Always wondering why these Balkan people praise their countries? Simple. It’s in their DNA to embrace their Balkan spirit. Google does not know everything. One can never get a direct experience, but one can get answers on what some ćevapi look like, but not how they taste, where Struga is, but nothing about how it… Continue reading How to feel The Balkans?





Croatia’s Silent Dawn: Inside the Lives of the Foreign Workers

written by Matija Carević, Croatia

It’s early autumn morning. Maria sends a quick heart emoji to her family as she walks out of her small apartment. The streets are empty, the city still asleep, and the weight of a thousand kilometers lingers on her shoulders as she walks through the quiet dawn. She is one of thousands.





Generation EU: A Youth Perspective from the Western Balkans

written by Lena Popovski, North Macedonia

For decades, young people from the Western Balkans have lived between two worlds – one defined by borders, bureaucracy and post-conflict challenges, and another, just across those borders, shaped by freedom of movement, vibrant democratic values and economic opportunities. The second one is the European Union.



The (negative) impact of social media on young people in Serbia

written by Lenka Nedeljkov Srbinoski, Romina Begaj, Serbia

Social media’s impact on mental health among Serbian youth is concerning. Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat dominate their daily lives, and often promote some unattainable beauty standards and fostering feelings of inadequacy. These platforms serve as spaces where young people compare themselves incessantly to influencers and peers, which can cause anxiety and depression by its users.