Youth officers support young people and organizations in overcoming everyday challenges and becoming key actors in their communities. The Institute for Youth Development KULT focuses on strengthening their role and advocating for their recognition, aiming to enhance youth work and improve young people’s status in society.
Belma Lepir Cviko was born in Sarajevo, where she completed primary and secondary school and graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy with a degree in pedagogy. Her longstanding commitment to the non-governmental sector has provided Belma with a broad array of experiences and skills.
While at the Association PROI, she contributed to numerous local, international, and EU projects, and consistently worked to improve the status and treatment of both young people and marginalized groups. She worked as an educator on youth programs and projects, focusing on strengthening social and life skills and raising awareness of sexual and reproductive health. Through these projects, Belma aimed to equip young people with the tools to make informed health decisions, build strong interpersonal relationships, and confidently navigate everyday challenges.
“I tried to convey to young people not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical skills that help them better cope with everyday life challenges, build self-confidence, and develop key competencies and skills for the future. Working with young people has always inspired me, as training and education allow me to witness their growth, initiative, and engagement as active members of society,” says Belma.
She has also gained significant experience as a member of various multi-sectoral working groups that take an integrated approach to addressing social challenges. These groups brought together representatives from institutions and organizations such as the Employment Service, the Ministry of Education, the police, the judiciary, the prosecutor’s office, and social work centers.
Since December 2022, Belma has been employed at the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo in the Department for Education, Culture, and Sports. She began as an expert youth work associate and is currently a senior expert associate for culture and sports in the same department.
In addition to her engagement in the non-governmental sector, Belma also has experience working in formal education. She worked as a pedagogue at the Djeca Sarajeva kindergarten, and prior to joining the Municipality, she spent five years working at an international accounting, consulting, and auditing firm. In addition to all her accomplishments, she is also a wife and the mother of a son.
She acknowledges the impact of formal education on her career choice: “Formal education opened many doors for me and provided essential academic skills that were key to my professional growth. During my studies, I learned about structured thinking and critical thinking and gained valuable knowledge about methodology and scientific research. Formal education provided a stable framework in which I could apply everything I learned, and it definitely defined my professional path and the position I am in now. However, I felt I lacked practical skills and experiences that would help me better understand the challenges of real life, so I sought to complement my formal education with informal learning through volunteering and involvement in NGOs. As a volunteer, I gained practical skills, experience working in the field, and a sense of social responsibility. It taught me how to apply classroom theory to real life and how to contribute to the community.”
She also emphasizes that non-formal education has taught her how to adapt, be creative, and continuously learn from new experiences. Through informal education, workshops, and projects, she learned the importance of teamwork, leadership, and responsibility towards the community.
Belma is currently attending the Institute’s basic training for youth officers. The Institute for Youth Development KULT designs and delivers youth officer trainings and certified courses for expert youth work associates employed in city, municipal and cantonal administrations. The training program consists of basic and advanced training. The basic training program qualifies participants to fulfill the duties of an expert on youth issues in public administration. Participants are expected to meet the criteria from the Rulebook on training procedures and certification of youth officers of the FBiH Ministry of Culture and Sports. Belma believe the training is extremely useful for her professional and personal development.
“Thanks to the training, I am always up to date with the latest changes and developments in the field of youth work, which allows me to better understand the challenges that young people face, while also improving my skills. The needs of young people have changed. The world they grow up in is dynamic and full of new challenges, from technological advances to changes in social norms and values. Through training and continuous improvement, I can better understand these changes and adapt programs and approaches to meet the actual needs of young people today. This flexibility and willingness to continuously learn are key to effective work with young people, because it’s important that their ideas, interests and priorities are recognized and supported in the right way,” says Belma.
The training gave Belma practical knowledge and concrete tools to plan, implement, and evaluate youth programs more effectively. It also offered a chance to connect with colleagues from various sectors.
“This training was particularly useful in terms of learning about the legal framework relating to youth. Given my workload, I sometimes don’t have enough time to learn about the ins and outs of laws, and this training filled that gap by helping me understand the key regulations and laws that govern youth policy issues. This makes my day-to-day easier and helps me make the right decisions in accordance with applicable laws. The training is also helping me in my personal development by impriving my leadership, communication and teamwork skills, which are key for success in my daily work with young people. I am confident that this training will have a lasting impact on my personal and professional growth and allow me to contribute even more effectively to youth policy and programs in my community,” says Belma.
When asked about the role of a youth officer in local government, she responds: “This role is crucial—we are the link between young people and institutions, ensuring that their needs and interests are acknowledged and addressed. The role of a youth officer goes beyond administrative tasks—it is strategically vital for shaping and implementing policies that empower young people to grow and reach their full potential. Today, young people navigate various challenges, from education and employment to mental health and social inclusion. A youth officer must stay informed about evolving challenges, keep up with legal regulations and emerging trends, and ensure that local policies and programs align with young people’s needs. Youth officers play a key role in linking young people with various sectors of society, including education, the economy, NGOs, and international partners. The role of a youth officer is not just reactive but also proactive, working on empowering young people and creating opportunities for their active participation in the community.”
However, she also notes that while budget constraints may limit a youth officer’s scope of action, there are always ways to engage young people and create meaningful impact.
Belma highlights that the Youth Strategy of the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo 2022-2027 was developed with a strong understanding of young people’s needs and their essential role in social progress. She sees it as a foundation for building an inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous environment for all young residents of the municipality. Although she was not directly involved in the development of the Strategy, as she joined the team at the end of 2022, she had the opportunity to actively participate in developing the report on the implementation of the Strategy for 2022 and 2023.
“In that process, I worked on analyzing the achieved results, monitoring key indicators, and identifying challenges in the implementation of planned measures. Working on the report allowed me to gain deeper insight into the goals of the strategy, the priorities of youth policy, and the real needs of young people in our community. In this role, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, from non-governmental organizations to various institutions involved in developing the Strategy. This collaboration helped me gain a deeper understanding of the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities for action in the years ahead. Through cooperation with all participants in society, from local government to civil society and the private sector, we continue to build bridges to a better future, ensuring that every young individual has the opportunity to realize their potential,” says Belma.
What is particularly important to her is the successful cooperation with young people and the positive reactions to her work. She says that the positive reactions motivate her and remind her of the importance of being open and accessible when working with young people. She wants every young person to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, or challenges. Her favorite feedback she received from the youth she works with is “You are always approachable and easy to talk to. We can reach out to you with any question or idea, and knock on your door at any time.”
One of her biggest achievements is the successful collaboration with the Youth Council, which resulted in improved communication and a more open dialogue between young people and youth officers. Through frequent meetings and various activities, such as dialogue sessions with young people, a platform has been created where young people can freely express their ideas, opinions, and needs. These activities allowed young people to participate in the decision-making process and helped build their confidence.
“I believe that a handful of people can make big changes if they are fully committed to the cause”, says Belma, explaining the motto that guides her work.
Looking ahead, Belma plans to focus on strengthening existing initiatives and creating new opportunities for growth and development. She plans to continue empowering young people through various projects and programs that will allow them to express their ideas, develop new skills, and actively contribute to their communities.
“I want to continue building partnerships with various institutions and organizations to ensure we have the support and resources needed to reach our shared goals. By working together, we can create positive changes in the lives of young people and strengthen their role in society. Young people are a huge inspiration to me; their creativity and energy motivate me to find innovative solutions and tailor our activities to meet their needs,” Belma concludes.
She encourages young people to never give up on their goals and to trust in their ability to create change: “Change doesn’t always happen overnight, but every small initiative can lead to long-term results. Young people must come together, stay active, and support one another because only through unity can we build a better society for everyone.”
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