At its 4th session held on June 24, 2025, the Banja Luka City Assembly adopted two key strategic documents: the Youth Policy of the City of Banja Luka for 2025–2029 and the Volunteering Policy for the same period. These policies lay out a clear roadmap for both city administration and young people as they work together toward a shared vision: Banja Luka as a supportive and prosperous city of equal opportunities, where all young people can exercise their rights, grow up in a healthy environment, and receive support to reach their full potential.
Throughout the drafting process, the voices of Banja Luka’s youth were heard and valued. Their active participation confirmed their engagement in civic and political life and their desire to be citizens of a society driven by knowledge, innovation, and prosperity.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT, in partnership with the City Youth Council, supported the City in developing the Youth Policy, which will serve as the cornerstone of youth engagement in the years ahead. Through shared motivation, expertise, and experience, a policy was created that genuinely reflects the needs of young people and opens the door to meaningful institutional support for their development in Banja Luka.
In the coming period, Banja Luka will actively implement measures outlined in the Youth Policy, with a strong focus on improving support for education, both formal and non-formal, so that young people can acquire the knowledge and skills needed to pursue their goals in further education and the job market. Activities defined in the Action Plan will be implemented by the city administration, civil society organizations, the Center for Adult Education, and the relevant ministry. One major goal is to reduce the number of youth who see the lack of practical training as the biggest flaw in the current education system.
By creating a stimulating environment that boosts competitiveness, encourages entrepreneurship, and improves access to employment, the City aims to provide stronger institutional support for young people to launch their own businesses. Through dedicated business support systems, including allocated funding, startup grants, and access to trained mentors, young people will be better positioned to take advantage of government employment programs, which will ultimately reduce youth unemployment.
The new Youth Policy will empower young people in Banja Luka to be examples of responsible, impactful community engagement. With a rich offering of youth-friendly cultural and sports programs, young people will have access to meaningful leisure activities. Additionally, with adequate systemic support for youth organizations, decision-making participation, volunteering, access to information, environmental awareness, and other key areas, youth will show how valuable their participation is for a democratic society.
Banja Luka is strategically committed to becoming a model city that offers security for its youth. Through the implementation of the Youth Policy, young people will benefit from better social protection, healthier lifestyles, and a stronger sense of safety in their city. Youth will be well-informed and supported, and have full access to social and healthcare services. The sustainability of multidisciplinary best practices in youth social and healthcare will strengthen the City’s focus on health and disease prevention.
As a government document, the Youth Policy was developed with the active involvement of all relevant institutions in Banja Luka, as well as NGOs with years of experience supporting youth in diverse areas of life and work.
The Volunteering Policy also represents a significant step forward in empowering young people to contribute to community building. It not only recognizes the value of their contributions but also encourages skill development, knowledge sharing, and new experiences through volunteering.
To inform the development of the Volunteering Policy, the organizations Most and Zdravo da ste designed a research methodology and conducted a survey exploring public attitudes toward volunteering in Banja Luka. This initiative was carried out as part of the project “Regional Cooperation for Better Volunteer Programs,” supported by the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
The Volunteering Policy outlines specific actions, including the creation of a centralized city-wide volunteer database. This platform will consolidate existing organizational volunteer lists and provide a one-stop source of information about volunteer opportunities throughout Banja Luka.
Developing an online volunteer registration system and promoting volunteer activities will make it easier for young people to sign up and will also boost awareness and visibility of volunteer programs in Banja Luka. Establishing a local informal network of civil society organizations will strengthen the infrastructure needed to coordinate and deliver high-quality volunteer programs. It will also help standardize the process of engaging volunteers and ensure respect for their rights and responsibilities.
By adopting the Volunteering Policy, the City of Banja Luka has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the volunteering infrastructure, integrating volunteering into both formal and non-formal education, and providing systemic support for community-based volunteering.
