• 2025-01-30

Environmental Issues as Drivers of Youth Activism in the Western Balkan

Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe project

Written by Laila Šašivarević, a volunteer at the Center for Democracy Foundation within the Regional Volunteering Program under „Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe“ project, supported by European Union.

Apathetic, lazy, and apolitical – these are the adjectives that have been used for years to describe young people, not only in the Western Balkans but globally. However, the situation today seems different. In the context of the transformative student protests in Serbia, last year's global student protests against the occupation of Palestine and the war in Ukraine, as well as numerous environmental protests led by youth, society is slowly but surely realizing that young people are aware of universal human values worth fighting for. These are values such as the right to dignity, justice, clean air and water, and a better future for all citizens.

Youth Environmental Activism

In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in initiatives led by young people aimed at protecting the environment and preserving natural resources in the Western Balkans. This new wave of environmental activism comes in response to alarming ecological issues affecting our region, including air pollution, unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and the devastation of rivers due to the construction of small hydroelectric plants.

Air Pollution and the Lithium Crisis

One of the biggest environmental challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina is air pollution, which reaches critical levels during the winter months in cities like Sarajevo[1], Zenica, and Tuzla. In December 2024, the Government of Canton Sarajevo declared a state of emergency due to the dangerously high levels of air pollution, which poses a serious health risk to the population. The youth and citizens of Sarajevo are deeply concerned. Young activists have recognized the gravity of this issue and, through various public campaigns and pressure on institutions, are attempting to influence changes in pollution policies.

In addition to air pollution, the lithium crisis in the region has also become a pressing issue among environmental activists and the general population. Plans to mine lithium in Serbia and potentially other parts of the Balkans have sparked mass protests, with young people leading campaigns to protect the environment. Among the most recent events were anti-lithium protests in Belgrade and other Serbian cities in August 2024[2], when thousands of people blocked major streets in the capital, as well as the main train station. These protests were reignited after initial protests in early 2021, in response to the opening of new negotiations and possible agreements with the company Rio Tinto, despite earlier promises from the government that the "story with Rio Tinto was over" in 2022.[3] Activists have recognized the dangers of unchecked exploitation of this resource and are using all available tools—ranging from petitions and protest marches to legal actions and lobbying international institutions.

Movements for Rivers and Forests

The strong interest of young people was also visible in other regional movements, such as those for the preservation of rivers from small hydropower plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania, as well as movements for forest preservation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the last major ecological protests took place in 2023 in Konjic[4], where activists, along with the local population, expressed their dissatisfaction with the construction of two hydropower plants that pose a threat to the Neretva River and its tributaries. According to ecological activists, experts, and local residents, the large projects "Ulog" and "Gornji Horizonti" represent a huge threat to agriculture, tourism, and the safety of people who live along the river, which is vital to their lives.

Youth Activism

When it comes to youth involvement in these processes, there are various examples of how young people are engaged in organization, activism, or individual efforts for ecology. In Serbia, there are individual activists as well as several youth organizations supporting ecological goals, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the movement is more localized. One of the most well-known cases of ecological activism in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the case of the Kasindolska River. The project to build three small hydropower plants on the Kasindolska River, located about 20 kilometers from East Sarajevo, started about fifteen years ago when a local engineer initiated the idea. His political influence allowed him to secure concession contracts and environmental impact assessments for all three hydropower plants. In response to the planned construction, the local community began to mobilize, primarily through social media, to raise awareness about the potential ecological degradation and irregularities of the project. Two young female activists, law students, emerged as prominent voices in this local river initiative. These two young women are still, after several years, leading a legal battle with foreign investors to defend the river they grew up on.[5]

Global Trends and Youth Engagement

Environmental issues and problems not only mobilize young people but also attract and unite individuals across the political spectrum. It has become a common ground that brings together and drives action in the political field. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, ecology has transcended national boundaries, as destroyed rivers and forests affect people of all nationalities. In Serbia, ecological issues represent one of the rare topics where the political left, center, and right find common interest for action.

According to the scientific research by Sloan and others[6], the generation of young people born in the 21st century has been influenced by many external factors, such as the global recession of 2008, state debts, political and economic instability, and, ultimately, the COVID-19 pandemic. These crises have undoubtedly influenced the increase in political participation among young people, as well as their engagement in various forms of ecological and political activism.

Awareness and Ecological Movements

Research also confirms that environmental protection issues have become a priority among young people, and these issues are supported by the growth of cosmopolitan values. According to KOMS's 2024 Alternative Report, as many as 63.5% of young respondents believe that the quality of the environment in Serbia is poor. [7] This research indicates an increase in concern among this demographic group regarding issues related to ecology, climate change, and environmental preservation. This trend is also present in EU countries and globally, where in the last decade, we have seen a significant rise in youth ecological movements such as Fridays for Future and Youth Climate Strike.[8]

Cosmopolitan Views of Youth and Ecological Activism

Environmental movements are often led by young people who recognize the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations. Their struggle has inspired many and demonstrated that unity and persistence can bring concrete results, including halting certain harmful projects. One of the key characteristics of young ecological activists is their ability to use digital tools and social media to mobilize people and spread information. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have become powerful tools in the fight for ecological justice, allowing activists to reach a wider audience, raise awareness about ecological issues, and attract support from international organizations.

One important aspect of activism is education. Many young people recognize the importance of ecological education and organize workshops, seminars, and lectures to expand knowledge about sustainable development and ecological rights. Education plays a crucial role in raising awareness and creating a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Finally, ecological issues transcend daily politics, as they often unite what seems unbridgeable—old and young, liberals and conservatives, those with different political views. They have the power to unite society, mobilize youth, and the broader community of the Western Balkans. Nature has no boundaries, and pollution does not recognize national and political differences, calling us to work together to preserve the environment. While ecological problems often have local manifestations, such as the construction of hydropower plants or lithium mines, they are not confined to the borders of individual villages, cities, or countries. Therefore, it is essential for young people and broader communities to unite in the fight to preserve natural resources.

Shared values among youth in the Western Balkans and the rest of the world reflect a change in consciousness, as young people now embrace post-materialistic and cosmopolitan views on social justice and equality for all, while most reject values that emphasize individual development. The broader collective good is "back in style," as reflected in the fact that young people around the world, through protests and political engagement, demand prioritization of ecological, social, and redistributive policies.[9]

All these initiatives show that young people are not passive observers but active participants in shaping a more sustainable and better future for all of us. Their perseverance, creativity, and willingness to face challenges offer hope that it is possible to build a society that respects and protects nature. Youth ecological activism in the region is becoming an increasingly powerful movement that not only influences ecological policies but also changes societal awareness of the importance of environmental protection. In times of climate change and ecological crises, their struggle is crucial for preserving the resources and natural beauties that surround us.

*The creation of this blog was funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of the Center for Democracy Foundation and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.