Bugojno Youth Center was created four years ago, by enthusiasts and their desire to provide young people with a space where they will have the opportunity to say everything they think and at the same time a place where someone will hear them. In the beginning it was not easy, but as the volunteers are always aware of the fact that good results are achieved with work and persistence, year after year they showed that this Center is their first choice for the implementation of numerous projects, educational activities, but also socializing. The allocated space was arranged in accordance with financial possibilities of the Center. From the opening of the Center until today, every year it became more and more beautiful, not only because of the interior, but also because of the love and effort put in to make everyone feel better.
– We can proudly say that our Center in the past period was a cultural and educational space intended for all citizens of Bugojno, regardless of religious and national affiliation, and primarily for young people with the aim of encouraging them to actively participate in the life of the community and enable them to spend quality time in a creative way and use their free time in a quality way. From the opening of the Center until today, numerous activities have been implemented, and the premises of the Youth Center are regularly used by the Youth Council of the Bugojno Municipality, the Association of High School Students of BiH/local team Bugojno, the Association “Parents for Parents” Bugojno, as well as other non-governmental organizations and individuals who need space for their activities, the executive director of the Bugojno Youth Center, Adis Causevic, pointed out.
Indeed, this is a space that is available to everyone, and young people come here to hear each other and others who may think differently than them. How much young people and volunteers actually needed one place for everything speaks for itself and the data that more than 40 different activities were implemented during 2019, activities directed towards strengthening capacities of youth, decorating the space, but also socializing with successful young people. A positive example and a motivating conversation among the first young people in Bugojno was provided by BiH scientist Andrej Gajic, who was once a student, activist and volunteer in Bugojno. Today he is known all over the world as a scientist. It was also interesting to hang out with David Fernandez Gran, the author of the film “Searching for Superman”. Recognizing the needs of young people in Bugojno, Ambassador Matthew Field visited the Bugojno Youth Center, and in a direct conversation with young people, he spoke about the importance of activism, volunteerism and the positive processes that can be initiated.
And after the first, extremely dynamic year, when it seemed that “only the sky is the limit”, the COVID-19 pandemic limited everything.
– In the years behind us, we faced many challenges, and one of the most difficult was certainly the coronavirus pandemic. Although it significantly changed circumstances, the Bugojno Youth Center did not stop its work. With the establishment of online classes in primary and secondary schools, the Youth Center became involved in providing assistance to secondary school students who did not have the necessary IT equipment for classes, by donating laptops to the students of Mixed Secondary School Bugojno. On two occasions, individual activists of the Center produced protective masks, which were later donated to members of the Fire Brigade, and then to the Red Cross, which distributed further to the citizens of Bugojno. Young volunteers of the Bugojno Youth Center pointed out the seriousness of the situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic by creating and sending short video messages, all with the aim of awakening citizens’ moral awareness and the necessary responsibility of their behavior in public space. Online gatherings were also organized as part of the literary evenings every Saturday starting at 8:00 p.m. Collection of technical equipment was carried out, primarily intended to improve distance learning for students who need it – emphasizes Causevic.
Luckily, the pandemic passed and the young people continued with even more enthusiasm. Some went to study, and “some new young people” joined the ranks and studied, worked, decorated the city, implemented environmental projects, helped the elderly, promoted books, watched movies, grew up, and sometimes fell in love in this environment.
– The past four years of the Center’s work have been marked by numerous partnerships and collaborations with both governmental and non-governmental sectors. We are especially proud of our cooperation with friends from Slovenia, Hungary, Malta, Greece and Macedonia thanks to the ERASMUS+ exchange program. Thanks to various educational and other activities, thousands of young people from Bugojno, Gornji Vakuf – Uskoplje and Donji Vakuf participate in the work of the Center. We can proudly conclude that the Bugojno Youth Center has become a place that gathers the largest number of young people in the Bugojno Municipality, and our motto “Come, see and volunteer” will continue to be a guide for all current and future volunteers who want to follow the vision of the Center and be a factor who influence the creation of their environment and thus contribute, not only to their own, but also to the development of the entire community – emphasized the executive director of the Bugojno Youth Center Adis Causevic.
A volunteer who considers the Youth Center as his second home is Amar Velagic. He participated in the work of the Center almost from the first day, which was not interrupted even because of his studies. Considering his involvement, on the fourth anniversary of the Center’s work, he was declared volunteer of the year. Amar is also the editor of the monograph, an activity that was promoted on the fourth birthday of the Youth Center.
– The publication was created as part of the celebration of the “little jubilee” that the Center is marking in February 2023 with a series of different activities for young people and other citizens of the local community. The monograph is a cross-section of the situation, a presentation of the variety of content prepared by the Association, a treasure trove of successfully created practices in informal education. Flipping through the pages of this monograph, it is possible to see that the Bugojno Youth Center is a non-governmental and non-partisan association that wants to motivate and encourage young people from the local community and beyond to improve their position in all areas of life using the acquired knowledge, skills and habits, i.e. competencies necessary for action and participation in the society of the 21st century. Following its vision that young people are a factor influencing the creation of their environment, various project proposals were developed and implemented by a large number of young people, which indicates the effective influence of our Association. We are encouraged by the fact that the Association will operate at full capacity in the coming years as well! Therefore, let these be the first four years of a strong youth voice and action for your local community – said Amar Velagic.
A proof that he is not alone in his positive opinion is also confirmed by the volunteer message wall where you can read, among other things:
– By volunteering at the Youth Center, I gained positive experience in developing social and communication skills and in contributing to the community – Harun Supic
-Being a part of the Youth Center is something indescribable and wonderful. I have been a volunteer of the Youth Center almost since its foundation. Four years have passed since I started volunteering at the Center, and not only have I learned new things and concepts, but through my involvement I have met many wonderful people and made new friends. My recommendation for all young people, for future colleagues who have free time, is to join our Bugojno Youth Center. Not only will they learn new things, but they will certainly feel much better by joining fun activities, but also through socializing. All for one, one for all, our Youth Center is the best” – Mirza Kero.
– The youth center is my second home, a safe zone, a place of laughter, socializing, education and creating memories for a lifetime – Nejra Cehajic
-One man can do little, but when a group of people joins together they can do a lot and change the system with unity – Vildana Hero
-Interesting (adjective) – one whose appearance or actions arouse interest. If you don’t understand, come to the Youth Center – Eldar Alibegovic
– The youth center is a treasure of knowledge and wisdom, a place of sincere friendship and good fun – all in one place – Amra Duric Causevic
-Use every opportunity, where you can show the best of yourself. Fight for your dreams and be persistent in your goals and desires. Work, effort pays off in time. Believe it! – Sajra Kaniza
And at the end of this note about the Youth Center, we will point out a message from a young volunteer and award-winning director, actor, artist Enis Prijic:
– Bugojno Youth Center is a theater where you enter with fragile and uncertain steps, and then you become part of a special community where we all build a promising and healthy story about a better future.
If we look at the past four years, creating a better tomorrow for young people and those who consider themselves young in Bugojno (because age is just a number) will take more decisive steps with the help of volunteers from the Bugojno Youth Center.
Author: Eneida Alibegovic
This article was written thanks to the generous support of the American people through the “Local Works” program of the United States Agency for International Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina (USAID). The contents of the publication are under the exclusive liability of its author and “Network for Building Peace”. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the USAID or the US Government.
