When we talk about supporting work with young people, we rarely take a deeper look at the fact that youth is the most precious resource of any society. Young people are not just the future – they are the present that needs the right opportunities and support to build a better tomorrow for all of us. In societies like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where young people face numerous challenges every day, it is important to stop looking at difficulties as insurmountable obstacles. Instead, we need to see opportunities – to invest in, empower and encourage young people to take an active role in their communities.
Opportunities, not challenges
Statistics may sound discouraging, but at the same time they give us a clear direction in which we must act. According to the Analysis of the Position and Needs of Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, youth unemployment is still one of the biggest problems. More than 50% of young people between the ages of 15 and 30 are unemployed, while a large number of them plan to leave the country in search of better living conditions. However, what can also be extracted from these data is that young people are ready and motivated to change – if they are given the opportunity. Involving young people in decision-making processes, encouraging entrepreneurship, support through education and ensuring better access to resources will not only reduce the unemployment rate, but will contribute to the overall development of society.
The European Agenda for Youth Work recognises the importance of continuous support for young people through education, employment and active citizenship. This agenda lays the foundations for the development of quality youth work as a mechanism that strengthens the capacities of young people, ensures inclusiveness and creates a society of equal opportunities. However, BiH is little involved in the Bonn Process and the implementation of the European Agenda for Youth Work, and youth work is not defined in all youth laws in the country.
In this context, the Bonn Process is of particular importance for Bosnia and Herzegovina. As a framework linking youth work, political participation and social development, the Bonn Process promotes mutual cooperation among the countries of the Western Balkans. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of this process, has the opportunity to improve youth policies and ensure their active inclusion in key societal trends. The implementation of the Bonn Process recommendations represents an important step towards building an inclusive and sustainable environment for youth.
What does real support mean?
Supporting young people is not just about providing space or financial assistance – it is much more. It means creating an environment in which young people have the opportunity to educate themselves, empower themselves and develop their own ideas. Examples of good practice exist both in our region and in the world. By introducing mentoring programs in educational institutions and non-governmental organizations, strong connections between generations are created and the professional development of young people is encouraged. Positive examples are the trainings conducted by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, which are intended for youth activists, young politicians and youth officers.
Young people need support through structured and sustainable programs that ensure their active involvement in decision-making, professional development and social mobility. Quality support for young people creates the foundations for a society that fosters equality, cooperation and the development of the potential of all generations.
Supporting young people is not just the responsibility of governments – it is the task of the entire society. Every employer who provides opportunities for young workers, every teacher who motivates students to believe in themselves, and every organization that provides space for youth development contributes to the long-term stability and progress of society.
By providing support for work with young people, we create frameworks in which young people can become agents of positive change. Therefore, we invite you to support positive changes by applying for your local self-government unit to the Public call for submission of applications for evaluation of local self-government units and acquisition of the “Youth Friendly Community ” certificate.
Source: mladi.org
