We spoke with Dina Ukiqi from Kosovo about belonging on equal terms at EFA, the role of WB clubs and what should come next.

When I first arrived at the European Forum Alpbach, I entered a space buzzing with ideas, perspectives, and voices from around the world: exciting, challenging and completely new to me. By the end of the Forum, I had discovered my own voice, forged meaningful connections across borders and gained a clear sense of purpose: to return and help others from Kosovo seize the same transformative opportunities.

Q1. Who were you when you first arrived at EFA and what changed for you there?

When I first arrived at the European Forum Alpbach, I was a newcomer stepping into an unfamiliar spaceuncertain, reflective, and unsure of what to expect. I questioned whether I truly belonged there. Over the course of two weeks, that uncertainty transformed into confidence. I built meaningful friendships across borders, expanded my perspective through dialogue, and discovered a strong sense of belonging within the Forum’s community. Most importantly, I left with a commitment not only to return but also to support others from Kosovo in accessing the same transformative opportunities.

Q2. Was there a single moment when it all clicked?

Ues. I had one specific night where I found myself having a beer with Ulrike Lunacek, Former European Parliament Rapperteur for Kosovo in Jakober. I had grown up seeing Ulrike on TV. A moment that I will cherish forever- I realized that despite our differences, we were united by shared hopes and challenges. In that moment, Alpbach no longer felt intimidating—it became a space and community where I belonged. From then on, I engaged fully, whether in debates, fireside chats, or even casual conversations, knowing my voice mattered.

Q3. What did you do with that momentum after EFA?

After EFA, I carried that energy back home and transformed it into action. Together with two friends I had met in Alpbach, we revitalised Club Alpbach Kosovo and reconnected it with the wider Forum Alpbach Network. This allowed us to create opportunities for more young people from Kosovo to access the Forum and to foster collaborations across the Western Balkans and beyond. Since then, I have been committed to building bridges—organising discussions, supporting new scholarship holders, and ensuring that Kosovo’s voice is heard within the European conversation.

Q4. Does EFA actually deepen regional cooperation among Western Balkans youth or does it just create nice photos?

EFA goes far beyond creating nice photos—it genuinely deepens regional cooperation among Western Balkans youth. The Forum provides a rare space where young people from across the region can meet on equal ground, free from political tensions, and engage in meaningful dialogue. These encounters often lead to collaborations that continue long after the Forum ends. For example, Club Alpbach Kosovo has worked closely with Clubs from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia to co-organize panels, host FAN slots, and develop cross-border initiatives. These projects prove that the relationships built in Alpbach translate into concrete cooperation and collective action, strengthening regional ties in ways that photos alone could never capture.

Q5. Give one concrete cross-border example.

This year, we co-organized a FAN Slot on Hydrogen together with Club Alpbach Croatia and Club Alpbach Upper Austria. The collaboration truly went “beyond borders”—not only by bringing together diverse perspectives from different countries, but also by tackling a global issue that affects us all. For me, this is exactly what EFA enables: the chance to prototype ideas with partners I would likely never have met outside of Alpbach.

Q6. Are youth voices really heard by decision-makers?

Yes—youth voices are central to EFA and are what make the Forum such a dynamic platform. EFA provides direct opportunities for young people to engage with highly influential leaders, allowing ideas to move from discussion to action, particularly for the Western Balkans region. The program consistently highlights regional topics, scholarship holders are actively visible, and Clubs have meaningful space to shape content. For example, for the third year in a row, Club Alpbach Kosovo and EFA hosted President Vjosa Osmani for a fireside chat on “Europe in a Shifting World: Recharging with Democracy.” The discussion emphasized Europe’s unity and values, explored the role of democracy in security and prosperity, and highlighted the importance of renewing commitment to rule of law, cooperation, and integration—showing how youth engagement can directly intersect with high-level decision-making.

Q7. How do you see EFA’s role in shaping the next generation?

We are living through Europe’s biggest transformation since WWII. EFA is a learning accelerator: a place to grow, to test ideas and to recharge Europe through cooperation and integration. I am proud of the bridge we have strengthened between Kosovo and Austria and of the wider community we have built together.

Step by step, a stronger EFA–Western Balkans partnership can bring ideas to life and embed them in practice.

Q8. What is your message to the next first-timers from the Western Balkans?

My message is simple: arrive with an open mind and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Alpbach can feel overwhelming at first, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences you will have. Use the opportunity to listen, to speak up, and to build friendships that go beyond borders. Remember that your voice matters—not just for yourself, but for the region you represent. And most importantly, make Alpbach your own, because it is what you make out of it.

About EFA:

The European Forum Alpbach (EFA) is a unique meeting place for reflection and action. Each year, it brings together young people from across Europe and around the world with leading thinkers and practitioners from politics, business, civil society, culture, and science. Through its diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community, the Forum sparks new ideas, fosters collaboration, and influences decision-makers across the continent, working towards a strong, inclusive, and democratic Europe.

In our Voices from EFA series, we highlight how young leaders from the Western Balkans are shaping ideas, building networks and influencing Europe’s future.