Representatives of the Institute for Youth Development KULT participated in the conference “Shaping Narratives: Non-formal Education Bridging Learning and Participation,” held at City Hall in Mostar and organized by our partners at the Local Democracy Agency Mostar.
The event brought together representatives of institutions, local communities, and civil society organizations to reflect on the role and future of non-formal education in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
During the first panel, Azemina Gubeljić, Senior Youth Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Herzegovina–Neretva Canton, and Sabina Memić, Senior Associate for Cooperation with NGOs and Youth Affairs for the City of Mostar, discussed the legislative framework and local strategies that increasingly acknowledge the value of mobility and the competencies young people gain outside the classroom.
They noted that, although non-formal education is recognized in the legal framework in BiH, its implementation in schools and universities remains inconsistent and lacks standardization.
Speaking on behalf of the Institute, Zorana Tovilović Glavaš emphasized that non-formal and informal learning should not be seen as alternatives but as fundamental components of contemporary education.
“It is time for the formal system to catch up with the real lives of young people. They are learning every day through volunteering, project work, community engagement, and international programmes. Our responsibility is to ensure that this effort is acknowledged through clear policies and fair evaluation mechanisms,” she said.
Participants agreed that the next key reform must focus on establishing a unified system for recognizing competencies acquired outside the classroom, grounded in learning outcomes, accredited procedures, and a robust quality framework that allows young people’s real experiences to be validated and visible.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT will continue to contribute to this agenda by advocating for structured solutions, strengthening partnership networks, and supporting education that is inclusive, relevant, and responsive to young people’s needs.
