Introduction

Between April and June 2025, a youth perception initiative explored how Albanian young people view the European Union and the country’s integration path. The volunteer initiative gathered insights from across the country and shared them with the EU Delegation to Albania as well as at the EU Enlargement Forum, ensuring that youth voices were part of the broader European conversation.

Albania has long stood out in the Western Balkans for its strong pro-EU sentiment. With around 90% of citizens consistently supporting membership, the country remains one of the most enthusiastic candidates for integration. This contrasts with other parts of the region, where enlargement is often debated or even contested. For Albanians, the EU has for decades symbolized hope, stability, and opportunity.

A full generation of millennials, born in the 1990s, grew up with the motto “we will join the EU.” Their formative years were shaped by the promise of integration. Today, however, a new generation – Gen Z – is coming of age. They inherit the same optimism but bring fresh perspectives shaped by digital culture, global challenges, and everyday realities. Surveys consistently show high enthusiasm for joining the European family, but also reveal a paradox: while Gen Z values EU membership and expects it to bring opportunities, their actual knowledge of how integration works remains limited. This blog post synthesizes multiple youth perception surveys from 2025 across key areas: governance, fundamentals, green transition, cohesion, and the internal market. This initiative set out to understand what Gen Z thinks about the EU, how they engage with integration, and what hopes or doubts they carry into Albania’s democratic future.

Information Gaps and Engagement Patterns

One of the clearest findings is the link between news engagement and political understanding. Youth who follow EU news regularly are far more confident in their knowledge, while those who rarely engage admit they know little about accession procedures. Age also matters: interest grows steadily from teenagers to those in their late twenties, reflecting how responsibilities like jobs and careers sharpen attention to EU developments.

Yet enthusiasm often coexists with limited knowledge. Urban youth are more familiar with EU accession procedures than rural youth, but even in cities, only a third feel they understand the process. This suggests that Albania’s Gen Z is motivated but under-informed – a combination that, if not addressed, risks turning optimism into frustration.

Governance, Rule of Law, and Corruption

Across surveys, youth consistently identify governance and corruption as Albania’s biggest challenges. More than half rate EU membership as “very important” for improving rule of law, and nearly 80% believe accession will help reduce corruption. Local institutions are also seen as beneficiaries, with over 80% expecting positive impacts on municipalities.

But here too, caution emerges. While youth value EU membership, fewer than half expect reforms to have a “very positive” impact. This gap between importance and confidence reflects skepticism about whether Albania’s institutions can deliver. For Gen Z, EU integration is not just about joining a club – it’s about fixing systemic problems at home.

Green Transition and Everyday Life

Climate change and energy transition are top concerns for young Albanians. Nearly 60% rate climate change as a very serious issue, and three-quarters support investment in renewable energy. They also expect EU-funded transport projects and regional development funds to boost Albania’s economy.

Interestingly, food safety emerges as one of the most tangible areas where youth connect EU integration to daily life. Almost 70% believe EU standards will improve product quality, showing how integration is understood not only in abstract political terms but also in everyday experiences like food, health, and consumer protection.

Yet knowledge gaps persist. Many youth admit they are unfamiliar with EU transport policies or rural development programs. This highlights the need for communication strategies that explain EU initiatives in relatable ways, beyond technical documents and policy jargon.

Resources, Agriculture, and Cohesion

Youth trust EU standards but lack detailed knowledge of rural development programs. Only 10% rated their knowledge as high, yet more than 60% expressed strong confidence in EU food safety standards. This paradox – low knowledge but high trust – suggests that the EU’s credibility remains strong among Albanian youth, even if its policies are poorly understood.

Visible investments matter most. Roads, schools, and local infrastructure are prioritized over specialized sectors like fisheries. At the same time, past failures such as the suspension of IPARD II due to mismanagement have damaged trust. For youth, the lesson is clear: EU funds alone cannot fix weak institutions. Transparency and accountability are essential to restore confidence.

Internal Market, Competition, and Procurement

Economic expectations are high. More than 75% of youth believe EU membership will improve the economy, and over 80% expect positive impacts on employment and education. They see access to the EU’s internal market as a way to reduce unemployment and create fair chances to study and work without needing to emigrate.

Corruption again dominates concerns. With procurement representing 10–15% of GDP, youth believe reforms in this sector are crucial. Over 80% expect EU membership to help reduce corruption, but only 20% feel adequately informed about competition rules and procurement processes. This knowledge gap limits their ability to hold institutions accountable.

Civil society oversight is strongly supported. Youth want NGOs and local institutions to play a role in monitoring reforms, and they favor youth councils, economic literacy programs, and business incubators to ensure that integration benefits their generation directly.

Turning Enthusiasm into Informed Engagement

Taken together, these surveys reveal a generation that is deeply pro-EU, idealistic, and hopeful, but also under-informed and skeptical about domestic institutions. Albanian Gen Z sees EU membership as a solution to corruption, governance failures, and economic stagnation. They trust EU standards, especially in areas like food safety and education, and expect integration to improve everyday life.

But enthusiasm without knowledge is fragile. If reforms stall or communication remains inaccessible, optimism could turn into disillusionment. The challenge for policymakers is clear: bridge the gap between trust and understanding. Youth-centric campaigns, peer education, and transparent reporting can empower young Albanians to become active citizens, not passive supporters.

In the end, the surveys show that Albania’s democratic future depends not only on joining the EU, but on ensuring that its youth – idealistic, engaged, and ambitious – are equipped with the knowledge and tools to shape that future themselves.

For full policy papers and survey results: