The Institute for Youth Development KULT, in partnership with the Municipality of Kalesija, has launched the process of developing a new Youth Strategy 2025–2029. Our goal is to strengthen systemic support for youth and create an environment that fosters their development and active engagement in the community. This is the second strategic document focused on youth in Kalesija and a continuation of the Municipality’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life and status of young people.
The planning session was attended by Mayor Nermin Mujkanović, Head of the Department for Administrative and Social Affairs Hata Mujčinović, and Hajrija Šehić, a senior official within the same department. A detailed plan and timeline were established for the development of the strategy, along with expectations for the coordinating body and working groups. Municipal representatives learned about the entire process, from the initial survey to the drafting stage.
The Municipality has already established a coordinating body and thematic working groups composed of experts in education, employment, health, social protection, safety, culture, sports, youth activism, and information. What gives this process particular value is the Municipality’s recognition of how important it is to include young people. Youth themselves are part of the working groups, ensuring that the strategy is genuinely created with young people, not just for them.
The first step is a survey on youth needs in Kalesija, which will be carried out by the Institute for Youth Development KULT in cooperation with the local youth organization TRIK. TRIK has long been active in promoting values such as tolerance, equality, and social responsibility among young people. A trained team of young researchers will conduct fieldwork with a sample of 377 respondents, aiming to build a clear, evidence-based picture of the challenges and aspirations that young people face and the aspirations they hold.
The data collected will inform the identification of priority areas for action. The resulting strategy will include concrete programs and measures designed to meet the identified needs and open up new opportunities for youth in education, employment, cultural and sports participation, activism, and civic engagement.
This approach reflects a strong, shared commitment between youth and local authorities to develop policies that respond to young people’s lives and needs. Kalesija may be a small municipality, but it sets a powerful example: where there is vision, collaboration, and dedication, there are no limits to what can be achieved in supporting youth development.
These activities are supported through the project “Designing, Developing and Adopting Youth Policies”, which is 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Network of youth centers for animation, development and training of Republika Srpska (M.O.C.A.R.T.) and the Association of Secondary School Students in BiH.
