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This publication and text continues in English - as the FMS conducted this research with an international consortium under Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB), led by the Foundation of European Progressive Studies (FEPS).
Until recently, Generation Z in Serbia was often perceived as apolitical and more immersed in the digital world than in reality.1 Born after key moments in Serbia's modern history, Gen Z youth were frequently criticised for being glued to their screens and out of touch with broader societal needs. Older generations - millennials and boomers - had largely written them off. In 2024, however, student-led protests in Serbia emerged as a defining moment in the country's recent political history, surprising many with their tenacity. Sparked by the tragic collapse of a train station canopy in Novi Sad on 1 November 2024 - claiming 16 lives - the protests quickly evolved into a broad-based civic uprising centred on demands for transparency, accountability and the rule of law. As such, they have continued into 2025 - with no end in sight.
To understand how Serbia reached this pivotal moment, the policy brief is divided into five key sections, covering the period up to late April 2025. The first, "Serbia's student protests 101", traces the movement's evolution from a national tragedy in November 2024 into a sustained civic uprising. The second, "A catch-all movement: What do the polls say?", analyses public support across different demographics, showing how the protests have united diverse segments of society. The third section, "Explaining the heterogeneity", explores how students have maintained cohesion despite internal differences and why they deliberately avoided foreign policy debates to remain focused on the rule of law. In the fourth section, "What about the opposition parties?", the brief examines how opposition actors have responded - supporting the protests without overshadowing them. Finally, "Between Belgrade and Brussels" assesses the EU's role and offers policy recommendations for the European Commission and the European Parliament to constructively engage with Serbia's democratic momentum.
Read the full policy paper here: https://feps-europe.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/POLICY-BRIEF-JUNE-2025-Serbias-civic-awakening.pdf
