During November, a new cycle of civic participation trainings was held in several municipalities across Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the PRAGG project. Feedback from participants shows that these sessions have lasting value in strengthening civic engagement, connecting citizens, and supporting positive change in local communities.
Konjic: Networking and Support for Local Initiatives
Participants in Konjic emphasised how important it is when someone takes the initiative to mobilise people who are not usually active in their local community. Particular attention was given to young people, with participants noting that these trainings help connect youth with local organisations and encourage them to stay engaged.
“This gives local organisations a chance to reach young people, support them, and give them a real boost. Young people often don’t join organisations on their own, and trainings like this give organisations a chance to reach out to them,” said one participant.
Participants also highlighted the importance of cooperation between larger and smaller organisations. While larger organisations can more easily initiate action and secure resources, local organisations are best placed to understand community needs and provide essential on-the-ground support.
In smaller communities, local initiatives often face obstacles, and personal relationships can complicate advocacy efforts, which makes external support particularly valuable.
Zavidovići: Renewed motivation for activism
The training in Zavidovići had a major impact on motivation, with participants saying it helped restore their confidence and willingness to engage in civic action.
“I’m now more aware of the mechanisms available to us as citizens, and I’m confident I’ll be able to apply what we learned in practice,” said a participant.
This feedback highlights the importance of providing citizens not only with practical tools and knowledge but also with a sense of encouragement and collective support.
Prnjavor: Practical insights from municipal police
The training in Prnjavor was strengthened by the participation of a municipal police officer, who shared practical insights into the challenges faced in everyday work.
By explaining these issues in clear, accessible language, he provided a valuable counterbalance to the more theoretical parts of the training. The combination of theory, real-life experience, and advocacy perspectives helped participants understand community challenges from multiple angles.
Participants noted that this segment helped them better understand how institutions function and how citizens can engage constructively in addressing communal issues.
Srbac: You have a lot of potential and willingness to grow
The training in Srbac revealed significant potential among a diverse group of participants. Young people under 18 demonstrated maturity and critical thinking, although they would benefit from additional encouragement to take on more active roles. Other participants showed strong motivation and capacity to contribute to community development, though their previous experience focused more on general youth work than on civic participation mechanisms.
Participants agreed that, with mentoring and appropriate support, this group could make meaningful progress. When community members show willingness, energy, and the ability to drive initiatives that benefit the wider community, investing in their development is always worthwhile.
The trainings were part of the PRAGG project, which is funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by a consortium consisting of HELVETAS and NIRAS, in partnership with local partners – Centers for Civic Initiatives (CCI) and the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
