After 1989, in a country with open borders and an increasing mobility, a large number of Romanian graduates have chosen to continue their studies abroad or apply for jobs in other countries. The 2010s have seen a return of some of the diaspora generations who have decided to relocate to Romania, take entrepreneurial initiatives in a young economy, and contribute to building a new society. Confronted with the difficulties of transitioning to democracy and the challenges of a capitalist, competition-driven economy, these generations have also engaged in activism in order to generate positive change.

A relatively young democracy, the Romanian society has experienced social and economic inequality during the last three decades which has triggered reactions and protests among Romanians seeking social justice and employment opportunities for all. Popular culture (music, street art, cinema) has continued to remain a form of expression for many young people and a means to fight for economic equality and social inclusion. Several Romanian artists and activists have used art to challenge privilege as well as ethnic, racial, and gender stereotypes and give voice to underrepresented groups: Radu Jude (filmmaker), Ruxandra Zenide (filmmaker), Maia Morgenstern (actor, the State Jewish Theater), Alina Serban, Mihaela Dragan (actors/writers, Romani theater).

New organizations have emerged, such as the Institute for Social Solidarity, a platform designed for researchers to engage in dialogue on social transformation, and the Romanian Youth Forum, a federation that brings together NGOs and insures communication with the Romanian Ministry of Youth and Sports, the UN, and the EU, in order to promote youth representation at all levels of civic engagement.