• 2025-11-18

Nataša Vučković – Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future

“Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE”

Speech by Nataša Vučković at the opening of the regional conference “Youth of the Western Balkans and the European Union”, organized within the RYDE project with the support of the European Union (18 November 2025) 

Distinguished guests, colleagues, partners, dear friends,
and especially—dear young people,

On behalf of the Center for Democracy Foundation, I wish you warm welcome to this conference which in a way marks the end of a three year regional project dedicated to young people.

Along these three years, young people knowledge about the European Union, about the integration challenges and rewards, was improved. Their understanding of policy making process was increased. They had the opportunity to meet, to discuss a variety of topics, to work together – in Politeia school and Politeia thematic sessions, to get to know policy makers and deliberate on public policies impacting young people through series of youth policy labs, and maybe most importantly they got to know each much better than our societies, our educational systems and our media did. And they are encouraged to promote and advocate for reconciliation, increased cooperation and better understanding in the region.

And finally, we meet at this conference dedicated to a powerful idea:
the future of our region, but also part of the future of Europe is being shaped today by the youth of the Western Balkans. The enlargement process is again on the top of the EU agenda and we must take this opportunity, reform our governments, root EU values in our societies and develop our region.

Under the title “Western Balkan Youth and EU: Shaping Our Common Future,” we come together to recognize young people not as an audience of reforms, but as drivers of change. They carry European values in their expectations: fairness, rule of law, opportunity, dignity, and truth. And more than ever, they are standing up for these values with clarity and courage.

A New Youth Momentum: Serbia 2025

This year has shown us a remarkable civic awakening. Across Serbia, students and young activists have mobilized peacefully and responsibly, demanding integrity, transparency, and higher democratic standards. Their actions have demonstrated a simple but important truth:

Youth movements are not a disruption to democracy—they are a renewal of it.

Their voice has echoed across the region, reminding us that participation matters, that values matter, and that the Western Balkans is rich with a generation ready to step forward, to engage, and to lead.

Let me present you briefly the topics of the conference - five panels that bring together speakers from the region, in person and online, from public and civic sectors.

Panel I – Youth in Reform Processes: A Bridge to Europe

EU integration is not only a negotiation process—it is a transformation of society.
And young people shall stand at the center of this transformation.

They bring new expectations to public life. They hold institutions accountable. They demand European standards because they see their future as part of Europe, even if sometimes it does not seem so. Their engagement—from local activism to policymaking—is essential for reforms to take root.

They are not the bridge to Europe. They are already part of Europe.

Panel II – Youth Employment in the AI Era

We are entering a technological era that is reshaping our world. Artificial intelligence is changing economies faster than governments can regulate them. In this context, the Western Balkans has a unique opportunity: a young, skilled, digitally talented generation.

But opportunity must come with support. We must ensure that young people are not workers displaced by AI, but leaders empowered by it.

That they have access to modern skills, fair employment, and innovation ecosystems that allow them to thrive in their own region. Good education for all is essential. Youth Guarantee is so important – no one shall be left behind. 

Panel III – Youth Well-Being: Health, Housing, Culture

Mental health, housing, access to culture, and the basic feeling of belonging are not side issues—they are foundations of a healthy democracy and a resilient community.

Young people of this region show enormous creativity and strength. But they deserve systems that protect their well-being, support their growth, and make staying in the Western Balkans a meaningful choice—not a sacrifice.

Panel IV – Youth in the Digital Landscape: Security, Trust and Resilience

Today’s youth navigate a digital world where information is abundant, but truth is fragile. Misinformation, manipulation, fake news, hate speech, and digital threats shape their everyday realities. Algoritms shape their priorities, and ours too.

Strengthening digital literacy, building trust in institutions, and creating safe online spaces are not only youth policies—they are democracy policies.

Panel V – Youth and Nature: Toward a Sustainable Future

Across the region, young people are leading environmental movements. They clean rivers, plant trees, defend green spaces, innovate in renewable energy, and challenge governments to act with responsibility. Their message is clear: There is no European future without a green future.

The Western Balkans has extraordinary natural wealth—but also serious environmental challenges. Youth engagement in climate action is essential for building a sustainable, prosperous, and European region.

Dear participants,

This conference is not just about discussing youth—it is about trusting youth, investing in youth, and building the European future together with youth. The Western Balkans is part of Europe and will be even more with more democracy, improved rule of law and protected human rights. The reforms that are on our agenda, are reforms that all of us, but particularly the youth will benefit from.

From civic movements in Serbia to digital innovators in North Macedonia, from environmental activists in Montenegro to cultural leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina—young people across the Western Balkans are shaping a new narrative. A narrative of hope, of responsibility, of courage.

They need to be empowered. They must be included and actively participate. It is through intergenerational working together that we can make it.

And let us ensure that when decisions about Europe’s future are made, young people from the Western Balkans are not standing outside the room, but sitting at the table—confident, capable, and heard. 

I have to thank to all of you that enabled this conference to happen.

First, our thanks go to the European Union which supported us on this way and enabled us to undertake so many activities, to gather so many young people, to support ideas and projects of young people, youth associations and grass root groups.

I would like to thank our excellent and dedicated partners who are with us in their studios in Tirana, Skopje Pristina and Sarajevo. They were all a bit worried how this multiplex conference in five venues will be organized but we managed – thanks for your commitment and trust.

Thanks to our grantees who, through their projects, enabled even larger outreach to our joint endeavors.

I would like to thank in advance to all our moderators who will have an important and difficult task – to take care of the time during our discussions today and tomorrow as well as to the facilitators who will draft recommendations that the debates will produce.

Thanks to all of you who enabled us and supported us on this journey, journalists, speakers, trainers, researchers...

And at the end I would like to thank the persistent and determined, hardworking and enthusiastic staff of the Center for Democracy Foundation that all deserve our applause – Dajana, Milena, Ivan, Katarina, Matea, and Emina our intern from Sarajevo. Without you this conference would not have happened.

I wish you an inspiring and meaningful conference.

Nataša Vučković, Secretary General of the Center for Democracy Foundation