IRIS network

EU Accession in the Western Balkans — but how does it feel in real life?
Part 2: Everyday challenges

📚 Education
Schools remain underfunded, and education systems often fail to match labour market needs.
Young people struggle to find decent, sustainable jobs.

💼 Jobs & Work
Many jobs are unstable or informal.
Youth and women are most affected.
Job insecurity means less protection, fewer rights, and limited long-term prospects.

🏥 Social protection & healthcare
Access to healthcare is still uneven, especially in rural areas.
Social services often fail to reach those who need them most.

EU integration is not only about reforms on paper —
it’s about dignity, security, and opportunities in everyday life.

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🤝 We held the last national meeting for this year of IRIS network as part of IRIS Progress project funded by EU 🇪🇺

The first panel explored the shift toward active and inclusive participation of citizens and civil society organisations in shaping social policy priorities across the Western Balkans.
Under the theme Co-Creating Policy – Civil Society’s Role in Shaping Priorities, speakers emphasised the importance of co-designing policies together with service providers, beneficiaries, and grassroots organisations, highlighting regional examples where participatory approaches have resulted in more responsive and inclusive social measures. ✨

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