YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND DIGITAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN EUSAIR

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND DIGITAL CAPACITY BUILDING IN EUSAIR

Author
Marilo META, University of Primorska (Koper, Slovenia)

Abstract
This paper explores the intersection of youth engagement and digital capacity building within the framework of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). As macro- regional strategies aim to foster territorial cohesion and cross-border cooperation, the paper focuses on how EUSAIR is shaping opportunities for youth empowerment in the digital era, particularly in Southeast Europe and the Western Balkans. While EUSAIR's core thematic pillars: Blue Growth, Environmental Quality, Sustainable Tourism, and Connecting the Region, do not explicitly prioritise youth, recent developments signal a growing commitment to integrating youth perspectives through different initiatives. These platforms have demonstrated the value of youth voices in policy design, mobility programs, digital upskilling, and regional innovation. The article highlights critical challenges facing young people in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion, including brain drain, skill mismatches, and unequal access to digital tools and infrastructure. Drawing on institutional frameworks such as the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 and the European Education Area, the paper assesses how multilevel governance and stakeholder engagement can translate youth participation into structural impact. This study identifies key leverage points for increasing youth inclusion in the implementation of macro-regional strategies. It also emphasises the importance of integrating digital citizenship, ICT literacy, and civic participation into capacity- building programs for long-term sustainability. The paper concludes by recommending a stronger cross-sectoral approach to youth empowerment, greater alignment between thematic priorities and youth needs, and institutional mechanisms to measure the long-term impact of youth engagement on regional development. As the Adriatic Ionian region embraces digital transformation, equipping youth to co-lead that transition is not only a policy imperative but also a strategic investment in the region's future.