This paper examines and makes comparative analysis of the quality of youth policies and its development within the European People’s Party and its sister parties / KAS partner parties in the countries of the Western Balkans, Croatia and Slovenia.

The paper covers the state of youth policies in each of the 8 targeted countries, together with the main youth priorities of the European Peoples Party and the Youth of the European Peoples Party. A special focus is given to case studies of 8 EPP / KAS partners parties from the region emphasizing their priorities for young people and best-case examples for youth engagement and decision making.

The final part of the paper is dedicated toward recommendations and conclusions for improving the youth policies on three levels: national level, local level and political party level.