Youth in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina drive regional change

• Young people in the Balkans are bypassing nationalist political rhetoric by engaging in grassroots regional collaboration, solidarity, and non-formal education.
• Activists are building networks of trust through workshops in Sarajevo, study trips in Zagreb, and joint projects in Belgrade to address the legacy of the 1990s wars.
• Youth participants report that these initiatives allow them to challenge collective guilt, combat isolation, and form bonds that transcend state-level political tensions.

The Role of Non-Formal Education

• Unlike formal systems often influenced by nationalist narratives, informal workshops and training provide a neutral space for critical thinking and open dialogue.
• 22-year-old Vid Radičević from Serbia notes that these spaces facilitate a better understanding of diverse perspectives and local realities.
• Civil society organizations have supported these efforts for nearly three decades, focusing on transitional justice, human rights, and regional solidarity.

Empowerment Through Solidarity

• For participants like 24-year-old Enis Mlivić from Bosnia and Herzegovina, regional cooperation serves as a form of civil resistance against permanent intolerance.
• Shared efforts include joint anti-hate speech campaigns, support for activists, and attending cross-border commemorations.
• These networks provide psychological and practical strength, confirming that activists in neighboring countries are fighting for similar values.

Facing the Past for Future Stability

• Activists recognize that lasting peace requires addressing war crimes, judicial findings, and historical traumas together rather than through denial or relativization.
• 21-year-old Tena Vizinger from Zagreb advocates for structural changes, such as reforming educational approaches to better facilitate cross-border dialogue.
• Despite ongoing challenges like limited resources and political pressure, the movement continues to expand, emphasizing that regional cooperation is a practical necessity rather than an abstract ideal.