Across Southeast Europe, young people have become central actors in protest and civic mobilization, challenging governments, institutions, and established political cultures. With the Serbian elections as a backdrop, this online discussion brings together researchers from the IOS and the University of Zurich working on Serbia, Albania, and the wider region to explore what drives youth activism, how movements organize and sustain themselves, and what their demands reveal about trust, accountability, and democratic futures. Comparing cases across the region, the panel asks whether we are seeing a new generation of political engagement, and what it might mean for the region’s trajectory. 

Speakers

• Philine Bickhard, University of Zurich
• Andi Balla, IOS
• Ulf Brunnbauer, IOS

Chair

Katarina Damčević, IOS