The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Institute for Youth Development KULT organized an awards ceremony recognizing the best social innovations designed by young people.
Like last year, the three winning teams with the most innovative ideas will receive valuable cash prizes and mentoring to help them bring their ideas to life. This year, two members of the expert jury decided to support a fourth idea. Social change and innovations are key elements for improving the quality of life of young people and others in local communities.
Young people face challenges and problems in their communities every day. Some of these problems are different across communities, and young people may have different priorities based on their circumstances. Innovative ideas show that young people can and want to actively participate in solving problems. Eight finalists proposed various ideas aimed at improving society in areas such as human rights, the rule of law, environmental protection, and peace and security.
The Boost Innovation training brought together motivated and creative young people who think outside the box, carefully observe their environment and offer innovative solutions to the problems they see around them. After an intensive and valuable training session led by mentor Erna Šošević, the finalists prepared to present their ideas to the expert jury. The expert jury consisted of: Viktorija Ružičić, Kenan Suljić, Dunja Jalimam, Renad Čelik and Berina Bukva – Alibašić.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Henk van den Dool addressed the young participants. He said it was a pleasure to be there with them and learn more about their innovative ideas: “This country is very beautiful and complex in its own way. Sometimes it is a big challenge to find a spark of positivity, but here, with you, I found that spark. The Institute for Youth Development KULT is a special organization and I am glad that the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands cooperates with an organization that has such a strong focus on young people. The Institute recognizes that the future belongs to young people and conducts activities throughout the country. I am delighted that together we can support young people who are eager to shape the future of their communities—this is precisely why we have chosen to support this initiative.”
Executive Director of the Institute for Youth Development, KULT Ajka Rovčanin, said: “This initiative primarily provides support to young people. It is more than a competition – it’s a platform that promotes young people and their drive and motivation to contribute to their communities. With this event, we celebrate the creativity of young people who recognize the importance of this competition. Their ideas are a call to action. We are proud of all our participants today, and I am thrilled with the diversity and creativity of their ideas and congratulate them on that.”
The innovative ideas of these young people show that change is possible and problems can be solved. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Institute for Youth Development KULT would like to thank all the young people who shared their ideas and offered solutions for problems they recognized in their communities.
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