The Municipality of Ilidža continues being dedicated to its youth, and consistently developing strategic documents that address important youth issues. Youth strategies, aligned with the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, help local authorities maintain a structured, planned, and consistent focus on improving the position of young people.
The signing of the Agreement continues the long-term cooperation between the Municipality of Ilidža and the Institute for Youth Development KULT. Our future joint efforts aim to improve systemic care and create a supportive environment for young people where they can realize their full potential.
The Youth Strategy 2025-2029, with the corresponding action plan, will be the fifth strategic document for youth in the Municipality of Ilidža, which was the first municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop a youth strategy back in 2006.
According to the results of the 2013 population census, there are 14,565 young people (15 to 29 years old) in the municipality of Ilidža. This means that young people make up close to 22% of the population of the municipality of Ilidža and account for 17% of the total number of young people in the Sarajevo Canton. The Municipality of Ilidža continuously works to include issues important to young people in policy areas with concrete initiatives, promoting their civic, economic, social, and political participation and strengthening their capacities. This effort reflects Ilidža’s commitment to following the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and achieving the European Youth Goals.
As Mayor Nermin Muzur pointed out, the success of any community is measured by the quality of life of its constituents. Therefore, improving the quality of life of Ilidža’s youth is key to the growth and development of not only the youth but the entire community.
“With the support of the European Union, the Institute will assist communities introducing positive change, and the Municipality of Ilidža is an example of a community that goes beyond infrastructural improvement into positive social change,” said Jasmin Bešić, CEO of the Institute for Youth Development KULT.
In addition to plans to appoint a coordination body, future steps include a survey on the position and needs of youth. This survey will be conducted by the Institute through an EU-funded project. The results of the survey will inform the development of strategic programs and activities targeting the identified needs and problems of young people in this community. It will also lead to new opportunities for young people. The new youth strategy of the Municipality of Ilidža will promote European values and improve young people’s status by promoting an inclusive community with better mental health support, quality education, a dynamic economy, entrepreneurship, and improved housing.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT is able to support the Municipality of Ilidža in the process of developing their youth strategy thanks to the project “Designing, Developing, and Implementing Youth Policies.” The project “Designing, Creating and Adopting Youth Policies” is funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT in partnership with the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), the Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Network of youth centers for animation, development and training of Republika Srpska (M.O.C.A.R.T.) and the Association of Secondary School Students in BiH.
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