институт за европска политика скопје

Our common future: A bottom-up perspective – Western Balkans’ youth on the Future of Europe

byИнститут за европска политика

In spring 2021, the European Union launched the multilingual platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE). This initiative is part of a wide deliberation process for sharing reflections on the future of our continent that will run until spring 2022, including EU and non-EU countries. Unfortunately, the Western Balkans, albeit in the process of EU integration and promised a future in the EU, have not been officially included in what was expected to be the most inclusive and laudable event across the EU. Admittedly though, decision-makers in the Western Balkans invested minimal efforts to be included in the debate. This policy paper puts forward inputs collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Greece thus aiming to amplify the voices of youth in the debate on the future of Europe.

In the final part, the paper presents practical steps that can and should be taken in support of the deepening of the European democracy. This includes measures that will advance the collaboration of stakeholders across the region, mechanisms to create bridges of engagement between youth in EU and non-EU countries of the region as well as two-way processes of citizen engagement and feedback mechanisms to assess engagement impact. Ultimately, such practical approaches are not dependent on new instruments but on the re-orientation of existing ones.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Продолжи со читање

  • Educational workshops: Knowing Your Rights Is the First Step Towards Exercising Them

    Knowing Your Rights Is the First Step Towards Exercising Them. On 23 and 24 September 2026, LET Station organized two educational workshops focused on citizens’ rights and practical administrative procedures for exercising those rights. The workshops aimed to provide participants with practical knowledge and greater confidence when dealing with institutions. Through concrete examples and practical…

  • Insights from Sweden for Strengthening Democratic Resilience and Information Integrity

    A delegation of journalists, editors, fact-checkers, media experts, and representatives of institutions from North Macedonia took part in a study visit to Stockholm, organized by the Delegation of the European Union and the Macedonian Institute for Media (MIM), within the framework of the project “Building Synergies Against Disinformation, Including on EU Policies and Activities.” During […]

  • Advanced Training on the Implementation of Environmental Justice

    On 21 September 2026, an advanced training on the implementation of environmental justice was held at the Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, bringing together judges, public prosecutors and judicial associates. The training covered several aspects of the practical application of European standards in the field of environmental justice. Judge Mirjana Lazarova Trajkovska presented the […]

  • Dissemination of the project “Civil Education for Democratic Resilience

    During the project “Civil Education for Democratic Resilience”, we had the opportunity to learn more about democracy, civil education and the role of young people in society. One of the main topics was the European Union and the opportunities it offers to young people, especially in the fields of education, mobility, volunteering and youth participation. […]

  • Working Meeting with the Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Mr. Gjoko Velkovski

    The President of the Association of Persons with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities – Veles held a working meeting with Mr. Gjoko Velkovski, Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth. The meeting focused on the work of the Association and the current challenges in the provision of social services, with particular emphasis on their availability, […]
    The post Working Meeting with the Minister of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, Mr. Gjoko Velkovski appeared first on Здружение на лица со церебрална парализа и други попречености – Велес.