From 19 to 21 February 2026 took place in Banja Luka / Bosnia and Herzegovina a seminar about “EU enlargement and young workers in the Western Balkans”, organised by EUROFEDOP (Europese Federatie van het Overheidspersoneel), in cooperation with EZA and funded by the European Union. The seminar was organized within the framework of the EZA special project for workers’ organisations in the candidate countries.
Representatives of trade unions and other workers’ organisations from the Western Balkans region gathered in Banja Luka to discuss the involvement of young workers in the European integration process with experts and representatives of national and international institutions.
Discussions throughout the seminar were open, dynamic and self-critical. The exchange of views and experiences between participants and speakers opened up space for new approaches. The seminar was enriched not only by experts and speakers from research institutions, youth organizations and workers’ organisations, but also a representative of the Bosnian Directorate for European Integration and a representative of the European Training Foundation.
This seminar reminded us that strong trade unions require young people to have a real place in our structures today. If we want credible organizations tomorrow, we must invest in them now.
European integration is a two-sided process: applicants must adapt, but member states must also adjust to include new members. Nothing is guaranteed—political attitudes and public interest can shift, often slowing momentum. Trade unions and other workers’ organisations must understand how integration affects their sector, explore funding opportunities, and actively engage in policy-making. Advocacy, participation in public consultations, and collaboration with authorities, media, NGOs, and think tanks are essential to ensure that trade unions and other workers’ organisations remain relevant and can influence tangible policy changes.
During the seminar, participants reflected on their organisations, namely their contribution to European integration and what further role they could play.
Participants also learned much about Gen Z: digital, fast, pragmatic, and focused on concrete issues like decent salaries, education, mobility, mental health, and respect at work. Many rely on social media and expect authenticity and visible results. Practical experience also showed the need to bridge gaps between well-informed, mobile youth and those in rural or marginalized communities.
Labour market realities remain challenging: while unemployment is decreasing, many young people are trapped in precarious jobs. Trade unions must strengthen collective bargaining in the sectors where young workers are dominant and ensure that their voices are present in negotiations and reforms. Participants also heard a lot about the EU Youth Guarantee, and various EU programmes supporting young people, employment and their involvement in European integration.
Participants were challenged to reflect on structures of their organisations: Are young workers truly involved in leadership? Are their organisations adapting to new trends, or simply criticizing them? What percentage of young workers are in leadership of their organisations? Are young workers truly involved in decision-making?
Participation must be real, structured and legally anchored – not symbolic. Trade unions and other workers’ organisations must modernize communication, strengthen outreach, open leadership positions, and share responsibility.
The conclusion is clear: young people must not remain on the margins. They must become a central force in trade unions and other workers’ organisations, in collective bargaining, in shaping public policy, and in the European integration process. Participants were encouraged to turn the insights gained during the seminar into concrete action, as the future of trade unions and other workers’ organisations as well as of societies as a whole, depends on this.