Creativity sparked a powerful wave of youth engagement in Čajniče and Mostar, two cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In recent months, color became the voice of young people, and creativity their tool for change. Through art, collaboration, and opportunities for expression, supported by funding from the European Union in BiH, young people have shown they are ready to lead positive change in their communities.
Čajniče: “The Power of Color, the Power of Voice”
In Čajniče, a small town filled with inspiring and creative youth, one enthusiastic group set out to brighten everyday life through art. The initiative “The Power of Color, the Power of Voice,” led by the association “We Love Čajniče,” created opportunities for young people to express themselves and shape their communities to meet their needs. From the initial concept to the final brushstroke – every step was led by the youth themselves.
During an art workshop, they developed a mural concept that captured their vision of the town they want to live in. Later, in an advocacy workshop, they discussed the need for a Youth Center which would serve as a safe space for ideas, action, and mutual support. They then cleaned, painted, and revitalized an old wall at the town’s entrance. Today, that wall reflects the spirit of their community, featuring the very things that define Čajniče’s youth: sport, nature, culture, and activism.
The initiative empowered young people and sent a clear message that their voices matter and that they are the voice of change. They worked together, learned together, created together, and left a lasting mark.
“After this initiative, we noticed that youth in our community became more engaged and active. The mural now stands as a visible symbol of their creativity and dedication. It’s also motivated even more young people to get involved and reminded them that they’re an essential part of our community,” said representatives from We Love Čajniče.
Of course, there were challenges such as poor weather, a deteriorated wall, and tight schedules, but none of that could stand in the way of their determination to bring their vision to life.
“I’m proud I had the chance to contribute to making our town more beautiful. I believe this mural will be a lasting reminder of what we can achieve when we come together and express ourselves through art,” said one participant.
Mostar: “Creative Bridges”
Change also swept through Mostar. The story began with a simple observation: young people spend much of their time on phones and social media. But then, a group of youth flipped the script, trading screens for paintbrushes, yarn, and cameras.
The organization Amplituda hosted workshops on painting, crocheting, and video production. Not only were these fun and engaging, but they showed young people how creativity can be a powerful tool for connection, self-expression, and escaping the pressures of daily life. The workshops sparked real connections between participants and helped them discover their talents and potential.
“I reached for my phone to take a photo of what I’d made at the workshop,” said one participant, “but then I stopped and told myself – no, I’ll give myself this moment to just enjoy what I created and how well I used my time.”
“It wasn’t easy to motivate everyone at first,” the Amplituda team shared. “Young people are used to the speed of the internet and having everything a click away. But once they were given the space to create, choose, and be themselves, they stayed. And they wanted more.”
The workshops sparked trust, teamwork, and a new desire to get involved. The change was evident: young people started talking more, spending time offline, and showing interest in new activities. Their confidence grew, along with their belief that they have something valuable to offer and that someone is listening.
Creativity Connects!
The outcomes of these initiatives weren’t just visual – the murals, artworks, crocheted pieces, and video content are just the surface.
The time spent being creative encouraged young people to believe in themselves more, to live in the moment, and to bond and socialize. The experiences they gained will stay with them and serve them in the future. These initiatives reminded them that they are important members of society, that they are capable of great things, and that change really can start with them, because someone is watching, listening, and supporting youth in doing what they do best.
When young people are given the chance to be themselves, they don’t just ask for change; they create it themselves.
These activities are part of 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.
