With the introduction of a mentoring program, the Institute for Youth Development KULT now provides truly comprehensive support for civil society organizations, which includes improving organizational capacities and performance and supporting the professional growth of people who lead these organizations.
In civil society mentoring, the focus is on organizational learning, teamwork and improved performance. The Institute listened to the feedback of CSOs we work with and started a mentoring program for representatives of organizations participating in the Institute’s capacity-building programs
Non-governmental organizations and mutual support
“I’m glad that non-governmental organizations got the opportunity to help each other, which ultimately helps the community and the individuals in it. I think it is important for our target groups that we strengthen each other and that the organizations we mentor go through develop faster, avoid the mistakes we made and use our insights to address challenges more easily and effectively. Now that I’m familiar with the structure of this program, I can see that it’s applicable in our own work with partner organizations. We all learned from each other here – the mentors learned from the Institute, the Institute learned from us, but mentors and mentees also learned from each other. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this.” said Sehija Dedović, President of the Association Center for Research and Education NAHLA.
Sehija mentored Azra Frlj, President of the Association for Psycho-Social Support “Progres”: “The mentoring opportunity came at a crucial time for me when I needed to effectively respond to change related to organizational strengthening and transitioning into a new stage of growth. With my mentor’s support and experience, I was encouraged to prioritize building a stable, participatory, and adaptable organizational culture. This is a fundamental step in addressing challenges we will encounter on our way to achieving our goals. I am grateful for this valuable experience.”
“Mentoring is an invaluable learning tool and process that goes beyond the financial aspect. Having someone share their knowledge with you is truly valuable. What stood out to me most in this process was the selfless sharing of knowledge and contacts. This is what I am most proud of, and I believe the true results of this process will become even more evident over time. I think the Institute is uniquely positioned to provide a service like this one”, said the Director of the “Izvor nade” Foundation, Naida Kokić.
Her mentor in this process, Amir Hasanović, Executive Director of the Narko NE Association, said: “It was a pleasure to be part of this process. This is a very positive experience, not only for mentees but also for us mentors. The goal we all shared is to boost the development of organizations by supporting the managers who lead them, and I am sure that we are reaching that goal.”
A new opportunity for the non-governmental sector
Association “Dignitet” was matched with the Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities “Koraci nade” as a mentoring organization. The mentoring process helped Jasmina and Edisa, the directors of these organizations, bond and develop new plans, ideas, and collaborations.
“It was an honor to be chosen as a mentor in this process led by the Institute. This was a great experience, and I am especially happy that I got to mentor the organization “Dignitet.” The representative of this organization was not only my student but also my teacher – we shared experiences and knowledge, learned and supported each other. I want to thank the Institute for this challenge, which is new to me and led me to learn a lot about myself while at the same time helping another organization,” said Jasmina Krivošija, Executive Director of the Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities “Koraci nade.”
Always smiling and deeply dedicated, Edisa Demić, the Director of the “Dignitet” Association, noted: “I see this as a new opportunity for the non-governmental sector. This type of learning helps leaders be better at their jobs, and I am happy I got a mentor I can turn to for advice and help at any time. I am already noticing great progress, both in my personal development and in the development of my organization, and I believe that our users will surely benefit after this because we will be able to better respond to challenges and needs.”
Ajdin Arnautović, Director of the Association of Vegans, who was mentored by Marina Jovović from the Sarajevo Open Center, shared his impressions.
“I think this type of program would benefit every organization in BiH. It’s special because it offers free support to organizations. This process can accelerate the growth of your organization, and the mentor-mentee relationship facilitates all of this. I like the way it was designed—the personalized approach and the opportunity to learn from both mentors and the Institute’s staff. There’s also a sense of freedom to openly discuss any aspects related to the organization’s work without fear of negative assumptions,” said Ajdin.
The process of learning and exchanging experiences
While taking into account the opinions and needs of the mentees and their organizations, the mentors effectively shared their knowledge and experience, and some of the mentees have already started putting their newly acquired skills and knowledge to use.
“The mentorship resulted in learning on both sides of the relationship. I hope that I managed to contribute my knowledge and experience to the growth of a young manager from an organization that has yet to realize its full potential. This was also useful for me because it made me see how I can contribute and share what I know,” said Anita Šimić, Director of the Network of Active Communities.
“I am happy because this process helped us develop friendships and trust, and I learned a lot from a more experienced project manager in a bigger organization. I’ve already implemented some of what I’ve learned, and I hope to continue applying the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve also improved my skills and my understanding of my role in the non-governmental sector,“ said Muhamed Mekić, President of the “Princip” Association in Busovača.
The mentoring process spanned eight months, during which the Institute served as a hub for organizations seeking to learn, improve their skills and knowledge, and find inspiration for innovative ideas and future success stories in their communities!
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