S.Western Balkans Youth in Policy Making Processes

This research explores the involvement of young people in formal policy-making processes across the Western Balkans. It analyzes the extent of their participation, identifies institutional and societal barriers, and offers recommendations to improve youth inclusion in decision-making.

Authors & Year: Akademia e Integrimit Europian dhe Negociatave, 2022

Geographical Scope: Western Balkans

Key Topics: Youth participation, civic engagement, institutional access, public policy

Key Findings:

• Youth remain underrepresented in local and national decision-making.
• Engagement mechanisms often lack real influence and are perceived as tokenistic.
• Civil society organizations play an important intermediary role, but support is inconsistent.
  Accessibility: Available via WB6 Youth Hub

Social Inclusion Index
A regional monitoring tool designed to assess the level of social inclusion for vulnerable groups, including youth. It provides comparative data to support policy improvements related to youth equity and access to rights.

Authors & Year: Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), 2021

Geographical Scope: Western Balkans

Key Topics: Social equity, youth inclusion, policy implementation, minority rights

Key Findings:

• Young people face systemic barriers in education, employment, and participation.
• Rural youth, ethnic minorities, and young women are most affected by exclusion.
• Implementation of inclusion policies varies significantly between countries.
  Accessibility: Publicly available via RCC’s website
  Contact & Links: 📄 Social Scoreboard
  🌐 https://www.rcc.int

Youth Mobility in the Western Balkans: The Present Challenges and Future Perspectives
This report examines mobility trends, challenges, and opportunities for youth across the region, focusing on educational, professional, and cultural exchanges.

Authors & Year: ERYICA & partners, 2021

Geographical Scope: Western Balkans

Key Topics: Youth mobility, cross-border cooperation, visa policy, Erasmus+

Key Findings:

• Youth mobility is limited by complex visa regimes, low awareness, and insufficient funding.
• Kosovo youth are disproportionately affected due to travel restrictions.
• Increased support for mobility schemes and regional cooperation is needed.
  Accessibility: Available through European youth platforms and ERYICA
  Contact & Links:
  🌐 https://www.eryica.org

Quality Development of Youth Work in South-East Europe
An analytical paper that reviews the status of youth work across SEE, identifying gaps and proposing mechanisms to enhance professionalization, training, and recognition.

Authors & Year: SALTO SEE & regional experts, 2020

Geographical Scope: South-East Europe, including Western Balkans

Key Topics: Youth work quality, training, policy frameworks, capacity-building

Key Findings:

• Youth work is poorly recognized as a formal profession in most countries.
• Training systems and national standards are weak or nonexistent.
• There is a strong need for regional collaboration and support for quality assurance.
  Accessibility: Freely accessible via SALTO SEE Resource Centre
  Contact & Links: 📄 Download Report (PDF)
  🌐 https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/see

Youth Participation Index – WB6 Youth Participation Index Project
This comprehensive index measures youth participation across Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia, offering evidence-based insights into how young people engage with democratic processes.

Authors & Year: WB6 Youth Hub, coordinated by Beyond Barriers Albania with EU support, 2022

Geographical Scope: Western Balkans 6

Key Topics: Youth participation, democratic engagement, civic space, comparative analysis

Key Findings:

• Youth participation is improving but remains fragmented and unequal across the region.
• Many youth lack trust in institutions and feel their voices are not taken seriously.
• Digital activism and youth-led initiatives are emerging as influential participation pathways.

Gender imbalance and limited rural outreach are persistent challenges.

Accessibility: Publicly available on WB6 Youth Hub website

Contact & Links: 📄 Download Full Index (PDF)
🌐 https://youthwbt.eu/
📧 Email: info@beyondbarriers.org