Youth Brain Drain in the Western Balkans: Shifting Perspectives and Policies

Large numbers of young people in the Western Balkans are leaving their home countries for opportunities elsewhere. The loss of so many skilled and educated youth endangers the democratic and economic progress made in the region, as well as the prospects for EU accession.

The discussion will focus on realistic policy options to tackle brain drain in the region, including how we can shift perspectives, policies and public narratives, and how regional and European cooperation can help to better manage youth migration.

Speakers include Marjan Icoski, Program Manager at Organization for Social Innovation ARNO and ReThink.CEE Fellow, and Anna Krasteva, Editor-in-Chief of Southeastern Europe and Team Leader of the EU project Migration4Work. The discussion will be moderated by Joerg Forbrig, Senior Fellow and Director for Central and Eastern Europe at GMF.