Across the Western Balkans, the last decade has witnessed a deepening of democratic backsliding, marked by the rise of competitive authoritarian regimes and the growing use of nationalism and religion as political tools. While the formal mechanisms for EU integration remain intact, the underlying commitment to democratic reform appears increasingly compromised. Key institutions are frequently captured by political interests, public discourse is marked by deep polarization, and civic engagement is often suppressed, sidelined, or absorbed into dominant power structures. Amid this fragile democratic environment, youth-led movements in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro have emerged as some of the most resilient and imaginative responses to the region’s democratic erosion. These movements reflect a generational resistance to apathy and authoritarian tendencies, offering a powerful rejection of manipulation and a call for dignity and democratic accountability. Youth across the region are not simply symbols of a better future; they are active agents defending democratic norms in the present. Read more here.
Source: FES