Determinants of Youth Tolerance in Montenegro: Quantitative Insights for Advancing Educational and Societal Sustainability

This study investigates the determinants of youth tolerance in Montenegro and their implications for higher education and societal sustainability. Positioned within the Ed-ucation for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework, it explores how higher education can foster key sustainability competencies—such as critical thinking, empathy, and civic responsibility—through tolerance-oriented education and digital literacy. Based on survey data collected in 2021 from 712 individuals aged 15–30, the study examines how socio-demographic characteristics, political orientations, economic insecurity, and digital media use shape attitudes toward ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. Statistical analysis reveals education as a strong predictor of tolerant attitudes, underscoring the transformative potential of universities in developing sustainability-related competences. Conversely, economic insecurity—particularly high youth unemployment—correlates with exclusionary views, linking social equity directly to sustainable development out-comes. Digital media exerts a dual influence: it enhances awareness of diversity and human rights yet simultaneously reinforces polarization, highlighting the need for digital literacy within ESD-oriented curricula. Despite Montenegro’s formal frameworks pro-moting inclusion, a gap persists between policy and practice. The findings demonstrate that inclusive education, youth engagement, and digital literacy are essential for culti-vating tolerant citizens and advancing cohesive, sustainable societies in post-transition contexts. This study contributes to the growing body of ESD research in higher education by connecting social inclusion, sustainability competencies, and institutional responsi-bility within the global sustainability agenda.