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Across the Western Balkans, a generation that believes in democracy, values elections, and still sees Europe as part of its future, is no longer granting trust by default. Support remains broad, but consent has become conditional, performance-based, and revocable. This quiet shift, not apathy, is the central challenge for democratic legitimacy and EU integration in the region.

To understand this moment, Open Society Foundation Western Balkans commissioned the first region-wide Gen Z survey of its kind: 6,000 young people aged 16–28 across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Lead by a small team and six national survey centres, the study explores how Gen Z relates to politics, and what it expects in return.

Gen Z in the Western Balkans seem informed, willing to vote, can be mobilised on issues that matter through non-traditional media and protest. Hope and distrust seem to coexist. They seem to not be rejecting democracy. They are withholding consent and putting democracy to the test. Today, they are testing national governments. Tomorrow, they may be testing Europe itself?

Join the Gen Z Kitchen Festival on 4 March for conversations on what is shaping political engagement in the Western Balkans. The event brings together young people and activists from the region with politicians, political scientists, and EU policymakers to exchange perspectives on the future of democracy.

Organiser: Open Society Foundations Western Balkans
Media Partner: Euractiv