By RTK

At every bus station, in every airport terminal, and in every goodbye that lingers just a little longer than usual, there is a departure. Not just a journey, but a life changing decision.

Across the Western Balkans, and particularly in Kosovo*[1] and Montenegro, this decision has become a defining reality for an entire generation. Thousands of young people leave each year, carrying with them their ambitions, talents, and unanswered questions about the future they could not build at home.

“Youth Dilemma: Stay or Leave?” is a joint TV production by Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) and Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG), developed within the Innovation. Media. Minds programme by Goethe-Institut and Deutsche Welle Akademie. The project explores one of the region’s most pressing challenges: youth migration and the quiet resilience of those who choose to stay.

A shared regional story

Although Kosovo* and Montenegro differ in history and scale, they face strikingly similar challenges. Over the past decade, both countries have seen a steady outflow of young people in the European Union and the USA, driven by unemployment, limited career prospects, and uncertainty about the future.

Migration is no longer perceived as a distant possibility, it has become a normalized life path. Entire communities are reshaped as families are divided across borders, and rural areas grow increasingly empty. Yet, behind the numbers lies a deeper human story, one of hope, frustration, ambition, and difficult choices.

The project unfolds through two documentary style episodes, each offering a distinct but interconnected perspective.

Episode 1: “Leaving Home – The Migration Dilemma”
This episode captures the voices of young people preparing to leave. From students learning foreign languages to families disperse, it reveals the structural and emotional drivers behind migration. Experts, economists, sociologists, and policymakers, offer insight into the systemic issues fueling this trend, while personal testimonies highlight its human cost.

Episode 2: “Staying Against the Odds – Building a Future at Home”
In contrast, the second episode focuses on those who stay. Young entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals share their motivations and struggles, demonstrating that staying is not a passive choice, but often an act of resilience and determination. Their stories challenge dominant narratives and present alternative visions of success rooted in local engagement and innovation.

Inclusive storytelling

At the heart of the project is a commitment to inclusive and intersectional storytelling. The program amplifies voices that are often underrepresented, young women, ethnic minorities, and youth from rural or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Their experiences reveal how migration affects different groups in distinct ways, and why solutions must be equally nuanced.

The production itself reflects the project’s regional spirit. A joint team from RTK and RTCG worked across countries, conducting interviews, sharing editorial responsibilities, and ensuring balanced representation. This collaboration not only strengthened professional ties between the two broadcasters but also created a unified narrative that transcends national boundaries.

A story still unfolding

“Youth Dilemma: Stay or Leave?” does not offer simple answers. Instead, it asks essential questions: What does it take to build a future at home? What responsibilities do institutions and societies have toward their youth? And what happens to a country when its young people no longer see their future within it?

Between leaving and staying lies a space filled with uncertainty, but also with possibility. This project brings that space into focus, giving a voice to a generation navigating one of the most important decisions of their lives.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to the Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.

[1] * This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999.