Bosnia and Herzegovina is becoming a place of inspiration and change thanks to projects that give young people the chance to shape their communities. As part of the initiatives launched under the project “Let’s Design, Create and Adopt Youth Policies”, funded by the European Union, four associations – the Association of Women in Bosnian Industry – BIWA, Košnica Mostar, Youth Center Bugojno and the NGO “We Love Čajniče” – are bringing innovation, inspiration and support to communities through their projects.
Through the project “BIWA Elevate: Shaping Women’s Futures in Industry”, the BIWA Association helped young women in the technical-industrial sector to develop professionally.
” Through our events, such as the MeetUp panel and the BIWA coffee, we have enabled networking and the exchange of experiences between students, young professionals and experts ,” BIWA points out.
In Čajniče, the NGO “We Love Čajniče” transformed the neglected Zlodo landfill into a space with the potential for an adrenaline park.
” This initiative has not only ecological, but also touristic significance for our community ,” the association added.
Košnica Mostar has provided young people with a platform for creative expression and new content. “Young people are enthusiastic and want to be a part of all our future activities,” Košnica says.
The Bugojno Youth Center is actively working on youth rights in rural areas. ” We have signed agreements with schools in remote areas, enabling children to access education about their rights ,” the Center says, emphasizing the importance of equal opportunities for all.
BIWA has motivated women to get involved in technical fields through education and mentoring, and Košnica Mostar has provided young people with cultural events and workshops that have broadened their horizons. “Cultural education has been a key part of all our activities,” says Košnica.
” Our participants now have greater confidence and clearer career goals ,” BIWE adds.
The NGO “We Love Čajniče” through the initiative for the Čajniče Youth Bank gave young people the opportunity to design and implement their own projects. ” The reactions of young people were incredible, ideas came one after another ,” the association points out.
The Bugojno Youth Center prepares young people to be active participants in the development of a new strategy for the youth of the Bugojno municipality.
” We see the desire of young people to get involved and contribute to the development of their community ,” the Youth Center points out.
The associations agree that the key to success lies in mentoring and collaboration with the community.
Košnica says that time will reveal the true results, but that they have given young people the opportunity to take a step towards a better future. BIWA emphasizes that their mission is empowerment, and the changes it brings are already visible. Čajniče proudly hopes that the adrenaline park will attract tourists and improve the local economy, while the Bugojno Youth Center states: ” Young people from rural areas now have an opportunity they didn’t have before. “
These associations show the strength of joint work, dedication and faith in the potential of young people. Their successes are an inspiration for everyone who believes that change is possible – with the right people and the right ideas.
Young people have been heavily involved in these projects. When asked about their reaction, representatives of the association highlight their enthusiastic support and active participation.
The Bugojno Youth Center involved young people in sports activities and intergenerational dialogue workshops, which helped build bridges between different generations.
The successes of these initiatives show how local initiatives can be transformed into sustainable projects that benefit communities in the long term. One of the key questions was how the associations see the sustainability of the results of their projects. Most of them emphasized that the foundations for further development have been laid through cooperation with young people and local authorities. Projects like these, in addition to bringing about change today, also ensure continuity through the active participation of young people and their sense of belonging to the community.
These examples show how important it is to continue supporting the initiatives of young people and their organizations. Young people are not only changing communities but are also becoming key actors in creating a better future for all.
The activities are part of the project “Let’s Design, Create and Adopt Youth Policies” funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT in partnership with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the Youth Council of the Federation of BiH, the Network of Youth Centers for Animation, Development and Training of Republika Srpska (MOCART) and the Association of High School Students in BiH.
Source: mladi.org
