Jelena Ninković is a youth worker who lives and works in Han Pijesak. She completed her elementary and high school education there before enrolling at the Faculty of Pedagogy in Bijeljina, where she graduated as a classroom teacher. Since 2021, she has been employed in the local government of Han Pijesak as an Independent Expert Associate for Culture, Education and Youth.
In her private life, Jelena is a wife and mother of three children.
She credits her formal education with shaping her career: “My education has played a crucial role in my professional growth, equipping me to work with young people—primarily children—which made it easier for me to connect with and adapt to the youth in Han Pijesak, understanding their needs, goals, and perspectives.”
Jelena expanded her knowledge and experience by attending the Institute’s Basic Training for Youth Officers. There, she connected with colleagues from across the country who share her work and passion, and those connections have lasted to this day.
“The basic training for youth officers meant a lot to me personally. Above all, it helped me strengthen my collaboration with young people in my community. I gained new knowledge and skills that allow me to guide them, highlight the importance of youth policy, and encourage their involvement in decision-making, strategy development, and project implementation—all of which is essential for improving their position and addressing key youth issues. I also built genuine friendships that continue to thrive today,” says Jelena.
She emphasizes the importance of youth workers in small communities: “Their role is even more essential than in developed areas, as young people in smaller communities often need additional support in their growth, progress, and navigating uncertainties. The fact that young people have someone in the municipal administration they can turn to for help, questions, or advice is, in my opinion, a significant step forward. It empowers them to take the initiative in implementing various projects and ideas,” says Jelena.
Given that Han Pijesak is a small community, Jelena acknowledges that working there comes with significant challenges.
“It is very challenging for small municipalities like Han Pijesak to work with young people because there are very few young people in the area, with only 36 students attending high school. To address this challenge, the municipality aims to motivate, acknowledge, and encourage young people by responding to their needs, including more cultural content tailored to their interests, additional events, more employment opportunities, larger grants, funds, and stronger support in general. We hope that these opportunities will help young people see a brighter future and good prospects for progress. This support is particularly important for all those young people who decide to stay, work and raise families in their hometown,” says Jelena.
Jelena remains optimistic in the face of challenges. She believes that maintaining the existing mechanisms for supporting young people is a significant achievement. One key highlight is that the Municipality of Han Pijesak awards scholarships to all students in the area, including those in high school.
“I want to emphasize that this is the result of our collective efforts and collaboration, aimed at improving the lives and opportunities of young people and enhancing their position in society. Each student receives 100 BAM per month in scholarships. Additionally, approximately 35,000 BAM is allocated annually for sports, which is another important youth issue. We also make an effort to support every project that young people propose to us, as a way to assist in their development and help them grow,” she says.
Going forward, the municipality intends to keep motivating young people and encouraging them to take action, while ensuring they have access to the resources they believe are necessary for their growth and success. Plans are also underway to assist young married couples with housing challenges and to provide financial support for students pursuing high-demand professions.
“My message to young people is to live life to the fullest and to be themselves. Fight for your rights, your status, and your progress. Don’t be afraid to push ahead and be the ones who drive decision-making in your municipality and country. Stay in your hometown, build your lives, and start families—this is the only way to truly progress and have your voice heard. Be persistent, never give up, and success will come, guaranteed. And us youth officers will always be there for them and fight alongside them!”, says Jelena.
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. Advanced training is available to individuals who have completed the basic training program and received a certificate. The advanced training builds on their skills and provides further professional development. The basic youth officer training program consists of multiple modules and lasts a total of 120 hours.
Leave a comment