MOBILITY
Local Mobility:
The National Youth Agency provides basic support to NGOs and educational institutions for youth activities, although there is limited direct national funding for structured mobility.
Regional Mobility:
Albania is a founding member of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), supporting youth exchanges and peacebuilding in the Western Balkans.
European Mobility:
Albania actively participates in Erasmus+, enabling access to study, training, and volunteer opportunities across Europe. Most mobility is facilitated by NGOs through EU-funded projects.
Albania is experiencing one of the highest youth migration pressures in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2023, 71% of youth aged 18–24 considered emigrating, and 31% of the population expressed a desire to leave the country, with 18% having concrete plans. These trends reflect growing dissatisfaction with domestic opportunities. Albania’s brain drain continues to challenge the country’s development, especially in education and labor market sectors.
🔗 Youth Study Albania 2024 – FES
MOBILITY
Local Mobility:
Youth mobility at the local level is inconsistent due to Bosnia’s fragmented governance. Some cantonal or municipal initiatives offer support, but coordination remains a challenge.
Regional Mobility:
Bosnia and Herzegovina is an active member of RYCO, and many NGOs facilitate youth exchanges across the Western Balkans.
European Mobility:
The country engages with Erasmus+ and other EU-funded opportunities via partnerships with NGOs and education institutions. EU donor support is essential for most mobility schemes.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is investing significantly in transport infrastructure, including the corridor vs motorway project, to improve connectivity and economic opportunities. Urban migration is rising, particularly to Sarajevo and Banja Luka, while rural areas face depopulation. Although not a Schengen member, citizens benefit from visa-free travel to the EU. In 2023, 31% of youth aged 18–30 expressed a desire to emigrate, down from 43% in 2022—indicating a slight shift in youth outlook.
🔗 Youth Study SEE 2024 – FES
MOBILITY
Local Mobility:
Directorate for Youth – Ministry of Sports and Youth, Montenegro supports national youth initiatives but direct funding for mobility is minimal. Public universities do facilitate short-term exchanges.
Regional Mobility:
Montenegro is a committed member of RYCO, supporting peacebuilding and intercultural exchanges in the region.
European Mobility:
Montenegro actively engages in Erasmus+, with support from civil society and public education institutions. Youth also participate in training and volunteering via the European Solidarity Corps.
Montenegro faces long-standing emigration challenges, with approximately 74,000 citizens emigrating between 2011 and 2021. Internal migration is also increasing, with populations moving from the north to Podgorica and coastal areas. In 2023, 46% of youth expressed a moderate to strong desire to emigrate, with economic hardship, low wages, and political dissatisfaction as key drivers. Although the census recorded 44,000 citizens abroad, unofficial estimates suggest nearly one-third of the population lives outside the country.
🔗 Youth Study SEE 2024 – FES
🔗 MONSTAT Migration Bulletin
MOBILITY
Local Mobility:
Public universities promote credit mobility and internships. NGO-led initiatives provide mobility through government-endorsed programs, although national funding remains limited.
Regional Mobility:
The country is a founding member of RYCO and implements bilateral youth cooperation programs, such as those with Greece.
European Mobility:
North Macedonia benefits from Erasmus+ and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, supporting study, volunteering, and entrepreneurial exchanges.
North Macedonia continues to experience high youth emigration interest. In 2024, 42.67% of youth stated they would like to move abroad, down from 78% a decade ago. Major reasons include financial advancement (67%), better living standards (28%), and corruption. Internal migration patterns also reflect rural-to-urban movement.
MOBILITY
Local Mobility:
The Ministry of Youth and Sports and local institutions co-finance NGO mobility projects and provide youth development grants.
Regional Mobility:
Serbia supports youth cooperation through RYCO and the Open Balkan initiative, which enhances mobility within the Western Balkans.
European Mobility:
Mobility is facilitated by the Tempus Foundation, which manages Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps in Serbia.
Serbia is experiencing strong migration flows, both internally and externally. Many young people move to Belgrade and Novi Sad for better opportunities. Internationally, 64.5% of Serbian youth say they would emigrate if given the chance, primarily due to better job prospects and living conditions abroad. The country is active in regional initiatives such as the Open Balkan framework and benefits from visa-free Schengen access. Serbia’s diaspora plays a vital role in the economy through remittances and investment.
🔗 Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Serbia
MOBILITY
The country supports a wide range of mobility programs including Erasmus+, the European Youth Card (EYCA), and Working Holiday agreements. These programs aim to promote cultural exchange, improve employment prospects, and develop transferable skills. The government’s strategy includes retaining talent while encouraging temporary international experience.
Local Mobility:
Slovenia provides co-funding and national programs for youth travel, volunteering, and education through Movit and CMEPIUS.
Regional Mobility:
Slovenia engages in bilateral youth exchanges and partnerships with neighboring EU countries and Western Balkans.
European Mobility:
Slovenian youth widely participate in Erasmus+ programs and benefit from initiatives like EYCA, which supports youth travel and access to culture across Europe.
Slovenian youth show moderate migration intentions, with 30.8% willing to move abroad.
MOBILITY
The country actively engages in international mobility programs such as Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and the Youth Employment Initiative.
Local Mobility:
The Agency for Mobility and EU Programs (AMPEU) coordinates mobility and internships, supported by national co-financing schemes.
Regional Mobility:
Croatia engages in regional mobility through partnerships and EU cross-border youth projects with Western Balkan neighbors.
European Mobility:
Croatian youth benefit from full acces s to EU programs and policies, including Erasmus+, European Solidarity Corps, and mobility for education and work.
In Croatia, 26.1% of youth express readiness to migrate, driven by economic prospects and employment challenges.
MOBILITY
Opportunities through Erasmus+, RYCO, and NGO-led projects offer viable paths for international engagement. While most universities support student visa applications, institutions in North Mitrovica face unique legal limitations. Visa-free access for short stays and simplified visa processes contribute to overall youth mobility.
Local Mobility:
Ministry of Education – Kosovo and youth-focused NGOs coordinate mobility efforts, though national funding is scarce.
Regional Mobility:
Kosovo is a fully engaged member of RYCO, enabling regular youth exchanges with Western Balkan neighbors.
European Mobility:
Kosovar youth benefit from Erasmus+ and EU-supported projects, often implemented by NGOs with the support of international donors.
Kosovar youth show notable migration interest, with 26.8% reporting strong and 31.1% moderate desire to emigrate.
🔗 Visa Requirements – Kosovo