GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) is a growing, cross-partisan network of
830+ pro-democracy civic and political leaders, ages 18-35. Headquartered in Bratislava, EDYN HQ manages the network’s 23 country chapters spread across Central and Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, and the South Caucasus. EDYN’s mission is to equip the next generation of pro-democracy leaders with the skills, networks, and opportunities to engage meaningfully in civic and political life at local, national, and European levels. To that end, EDYN’s programs equip its members with the skills necessary to address systemic issues facing youth in the region, advocate for youth engagement in policy-making and the civic space, and foster inter-generational and cross-partisan dialogue.

ABOUT THE PROJECT
With support from the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, EDYN has launched a year-long initiative titled “Reclaiming Europe: Engaging Western Balkans Youth in Grassroots EU Integration Advocacy”. The project will empower young, ideologically diverse civic and political leaders in Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia to advocate for greater youth participation in their countries’ EU integration process. After deepening their knowledge of how to run effective advocacy campaigns during capacity-building trainings, participants will lead their own advocacy campaigns on youth’s role in enlargement negotiations. They will engage with institutions and policymakers responsible for EU-related reforms and they will reach the public through an online awareness campaign, which will feature content tailored to local nuances and in local languages.

LOCAL IMPACT
First, youth in Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia will gain the skills, networks, and platforms to advocate for greater youth involvement in EU integration decision-making. Second, participants’ advocacy efforts will counter widespread apathy and disinformation related to enlargement, positively influencing public discourse on EU integration and inspiring youth engagement across these three countries. Third, by asserting youth’s legitimacy as stakeholders of their countries’ European future, the project will make the Albanian, Montenegrin, and Macedonian civic spaces more resilient, open, and reflective of the needs of young people.

REGIONAL IMPACT
Beyond national borders, the project will strengthen ties among young civic and political leaders from across the Western Balkans by facilitating dialogue and exchanges among participants. This cross-border, cross-partisan youth platform will highlight that ideological diversity can be a strength for – and not a barrier to – democratic progress.

PARTNERS
EDYN HQ will partner closely with the EDYN Albania, EDYN Montenegro, and EDYN North Macedonia country chapters. Collectively, these chapters are composed of 179 pre-vetted activists, civic society leaders, journalists, lawyers, and politicians between the ages of 18 and 35. EDYN HQ will draw from its members’ vast and ideologically diverse networks to build bridges for potential collaboration with other civic initiatives, maximise the project reach, and facilitate dialogue between participants and institutions, experts, and decision-makers.