Fighting Corruption With Education

Young people in Hadžići and Ilidža had an opportunity to attend workshops on various forms of corruption and learn how they can report it.

The workshops proved very popular with the participants. A quiz on corruption tested young people’s knowledge about different forms of corruption in BiH, and the winners received prizes.   The workshops also included a role-playing game. Participants were divided into groups and given scenarios involving corrupt actions. Their task was to write endings that proposed solutions based on their group’s perspective.

The workshops showed that there is a strong interest among young people in learning about corruption, all its forms, and how to report it. Although this topic is mainly addressed through informal education, young people agreed that incorporating lessons on the harm and manifestations of corruption into high school and college curricula would be useful, as formal education does not cover this topic.

During the workshops, young people shared various examples of corruption in BiH. The discussions particularly focused on the issue of reporting corruption, including the consequences and outcomes. Participants highlighted the lack of verdicts and evidence in BiH, which undermines citizens’—especially young people’s—confidence in the ability of anti-corruption bodies to prevent and address this type of crime. They also stressed the importance of involving all relevant bodies and institutions in the ongoing detection and prosecution of corrupt practices.

Young people from the Association STARt took part in a workshop held at the K-HUB in Hadžići. “STARt” youth association is a new association founded relatively recently. It is also the first youth association in the municipality of Hadžići. While working on youth development, the founders recognized the need to establish an association. Although they are new, the Association already has more than 40 members. Their goal is to improve the conditions and social life of young people through socially beneficial activities.

The participants of the second workshop were members of the Youth Council of the Municipality of Ilidža. The Youth Council of the Municipality of Ilidža was established in April 2023 through the collaborative efforts of several youth organizations from the municipality. It aims to improve the lives of young people by actively advocating for their interests and needs. The Youth Council of Ilidža Municipality is a hub for young people to take action, organize activities, launch new initiatives, and spark positive changes for youth.

The workshops are part of the activities within the initiative Say NO to Corruption in Sarajevo Canton. The initiative is implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT in cooperation with the Anti-Corruption and Quality Control Office of Sarajevo Canton. The initiative, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, aims to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of corruption, examine citizens’ and young people’s views on the issue, and provide basic information on combating corruption.