Embracing change? Assessing the impact of Generation Z in Serbia on Kosovo issue

This paper explores the perspectives of Generation Z in Serbia on the ongoing issue of Kosovo, a topic central to understanding future regional dynamics amid efforts towards normalization and reconciliation. Despite growing up in a post-conflict era, Generation Z remains influenced by historical ethnic and political tensions, particularly around national identity. The key research question addressed is: How does Generation Z in Serbia perceive and influence the Kosovo issue? To explore this, we employed a qualitative approach, conducting eight focus groups and ten in-depth interviews with Serbian youth. Our study sheds light on the deeply entrenched ethnocentric attitudes within this generation, with a strong emphasis on identity, nationalism, and resistance to normalization. Contrary to expectations of a more progressive outlook from younger cohorts, the findings reveal that Kosovo is perceived predominantly through a nationalistic lens, suggesting that Generation Z’s radical views could pose challenges to future reconciliation efforts.