At the European Forum Alpbach, a Serbian scholarship holder shows how Western Balkans clubs turn conversations into cross-border energy pilots, trackable EU follow-ups, and three concrete asks.

I am Damir Dizdarević from Serbia. As a Western Balkans scholarship holder with the Club Alpbach Belgrade,  I split my time at the EFA across three themes: Europe’s energy transition, democratic resilience and EU enlargement. I left with new habits: asking tougher questions, finding allies fast and turning good conversations into concrete follow-ups.

An honest story of growth

My professional world focuses on energy and climate policy. After an energy security session, I ended up on a bench sketching scenarios with young researches from Kosovo and North Macedonia. We disagreed on methods, timelines, risks and who should pay.  in context of decarbonization imperative. Trading numbers, a simple idea emerged: a cross-border workshop series where Western Balkan practitioners and stakeholders unpack finer points of  decarbonization and energy security: metering, market design, security of supply and reducing dependencies, so our debates at home are better informed and less polarized. Progress starts small, with people willing to talk and do the work between conferences.

How regional cooperation really happens

EFA is where  youth cooperation in the Western Balkans becomes practical. In real life, it looks like this: we show up for each other’s events, invite peers to co-moderate, compare notes on scholarship selection; trade contacts when logistics stall. We share draft policy memos, plan joint side events and build trust over coffee and the occasional party. A a steppingstone to EU integration,  this cross- border and cross-disciplinary work  demonstrates alignment with European values and the acquis in practice, not just on paper.

What EFA should do more with the Western Balkans

To deepen its engagement with the Western Balkans, EFA can take three simple steps: 1- offer more scholarships for participants from the region; 2- put more of us on panels as speakers and moderators, not just attendees; and 3- embed more to Western Balkans topics across the official program.

We bring a mix  that is both  Balkan and European, front row experience with enlargement, energy security, civic space and institutional reform. That perspective is often missing in Brussels and other capitals of EU capitals. These steps would not make EFA  “about”  the Western Balkans; they would make Europe’s conversation more complete.

EFA as a classroom for Europe’s next chapter

Are youth voices fully influential at EFA? Not yet. But they are audible and in rooms where it matters. On Sunday, 24 August 2025, three sessions spotlighted Serbia. I spoke in “Foreign Agent in My Own Country,” about the draft foreign agents law, shrinking civic space and  recent anti-corruption and student protests. Two other sessions examined the student movement’s demands and risks. Important people from Europe and the world listened and showed sympathy and support. In those moments, we were not just youth; we were witnesses with homework for the adults in the room. The next step is to translate listening into action, shared timelines and actions.

Politicians usually prefer questions they can answer. EFA is special because it entertains the hard ones: competitiveness and defence  while decarbonizing;  rule of law bac ksliding  inside and outside the EU; whereand how  enlargement meets real capacity? The most valuable sessions did not pretend Europe is perfect: we tested proposals and received honest feedback from decision-makers, industry and thought leaders, those who implement policy and make the world as we know it tick.  If we want unified and future-proof Europe, we need an intergenerational dialogue that ends in policy, not applause.

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.