The message “I enter with a pure mind and an open heart” is the first thing that greets you when you find yourself in front of the Youth Center in Bugojno. Volunteers of the Center emphasize this message as the most important. Numerous workshops and gatherings are realized having in mind this message in order to fight prejudices in everyday life, and improve general living conditions for all young people in the local community.
“Our project focuses on overcoming barriers that were created during our growing up. We have a concrete example here in Bugojno – two schools under one roof. We are aware that we cannot make big changes, but we are working to make young people aware that they respect everyone, but also to be open to different and new understandings”, said Ilhana Čusto, coordinator of the project” Life from the youth perspective”.
Young volunteers, aged 15 to 30, had the opportunity to socialize in workshops and lectures within the project Life from the youth perspective. Through various lectures, they exchanged opinions and knowledge about the events that happened during the war, and discussed the general living conditions.
As Nejra Čehajić, a volunteer in the Bugojno Youth Association, says during the workshop, special attention was paid to breaking down the stereotypes present among young people.
During the last workshop within the project, attention was focused on creating and then publishing a picture book intended for children up to five years of age on the topics “You are no different”, “Let’s be friends”, “Let’s meet differences” and “Building bridges”.
“Youth Center Bugojno is a gathering place for young people that offers a range of activities and benefits, regardless of whether young people are involved in ecology, artistic creation or volunteerism in general. Every young person is welcome to join us, but also to propose new ideas and projects”, pointed out Amar Velagić, a youth activist.
PRO-Future is a USAID project of building peace and trust among citizens of all ethnic and religious groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is implemented by the American humanitarian organization Catholic Relief Services CRS, with partners: Caritas BiH, Institute for Youth Development KULT, Forum of Tuzla Citizens (FGT), Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Banja Luka (hCA) and the Interreligious Council in Bosnia and Herzegovina (MRV).
