Political Participation and Emotions among Southeast European Youth: What Matters to Them and what They Strive For?

This research explores how young people in Southeast Europe perceive politics, their motivations for participation, and the emotional factors influencing their engagement. It highlights a key gap in public policy: while youth are often seen as politically disengaged, their understanding of politics as a slow, process-driven endeavor suggests they require structural opportunities for meaningful participation rather than one-off mobilization efforts. Findings reveal that disinterest is driven by systemic barriers—distrust in institutions, lack of early political education, and limited engagement opportunities—rather than outright apathy.

Public policy must address these challenges by fostering political literacy from an early age, integrating participatory mechanisms into local governance, and providing structured avenues for youth involvement beyond electoral cycles. Additionally, addressing the emotional dimension—feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and ambivalence—can help shape policies that enhance young people’s sense of agency. Policymakers should prioritize transparent governance, competency-based leadership, and investment in civic spaces to counter youth disengagement and prevent long-term democratic erosion. Instead of framing youth migration as an individual choice, policies should consider it a response to perceived political stagnation and a call for deeper institutional reforms.