Topic 2012: Communities

Ensure you think about your story's significance not just in your home country, but also in at least one other regional state and within the European Union. Choose phenomena that are relevant, current and original.

Like many European states, communities across the Balkans have been under stress as people struggle to cope with new economic realities. As most youngsters head for the cities or go abroad in search of opportunities, many villages have been reduced to virtual ghost-towns. The birth-rate and population size in many countries have also declined in recent decades.

Have these developments fuelled intergenerational conflict over lifestyle, choice, duty, morality and freedom? How well have cities absorbed this influx of young people looking to improve their prospects? How have rural communities coped with fewer young people?

Nationalism has been the most powerful, some might say the most destructive, force in the Balkans for many years. Since the wars of the 90s, the ethnic make-up of villages, cities, districts and countries has changed dramatically, what effect has this had on community cohesion?

What has this meant in terms of access to political representation today? Who find themselves to be entirely without a community, as they are still unable to obtain citizenship? Who struggle to meet basic needs, such as education, healthcare, housing and work?

Who find themselves on the margins because of the community they belong to? Are Balkan states still preoccupied with notions of 'the other' rather than cohesive yet mixed communities? How are current relations with neighbouring states and communities? Are there innovative projects in place bringing people from different backgrounds together?As one of the benchmarks of European Union membership is good neighbourly relations and respect for diversity, how far have Balkan states come in terms of ensuring that all communities feel they can influence and have an equal stake in the future?