Youth engagement in local sustainable energy transition in the Western Balkans : lessons from the Visegrad countries

Abstract

Background The sustainable energy transition is one of the most complex long-term transformations required to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. In the Western Balkans, this transition is shaped by coal dependence, weak institutional capacity, high levels of public distrust, youth emigration and uneven environmental awareness. Young people will be among the generations most affected by the long-term outcomes of transition policies, yet their participation in local decision-making processes remains limited, fragmented and often insufficiently institutionalized. This article examines how youth engagement in the local sustainable energy transition can be strengthened in the Western Balkans, drawing on relevant lessons from the Visegrad countries and wider European practices. Methods The article applies a policy-oriented critical narrative review and a best-practice analysis. It synthesizes academic literature, policy documents and institutional sources on youth participation, the sustainable energy transition, just transition, local governance and climate awareness in the Western Balkans and the Visegrad countries. The analysis is organized around four themes: institutional mechanisms for youth participation; climate and energy literacy; trust, legitimacy and public acceptance; and socio-economic conditions, including youth emigration and green employment. Results The review identifies a systemic participation gap. Young people are expected to support and contribute to the sustainable energy transition, but the institutional, educational and socioeconomic conditions for meaningful participation remain weak. Barriers include limited access to information, weak or symbolic youth participation mechanisms, low trust in institutions, insufficient practical skills, economic insecurity, social exclusion and the limited visibility of youth-led initiatives. Visegrad and selected European practices suggest that local-level coordination, participatory mechanisms, civic education, cross-sectoral cooperation and transparent governance can strengthen youth involvement. Conclusions Meaningful youth engagement should be treated as a core element of a just and locally legitimate energy transition, not merely as an awareness-raising activity. Local governments, youth offices, educational institutions, civil society organizations and private-sector actors should develop structured mechanisms for youth participation, link the energy transition to green skills and employment, and create transparent platforms through which young people can influence local sustainability policies. Further country-specific and municipality-level research is needed to better capture youth perspectives and design context-sensitive policy instruments for the Western Balkans.