The collaboration between the Institute for Youth Development KULT and the Sanski Most Municipality has been ongoing for many years. It has proven to be an example of good practice in youth policy development. Following joint work on strengthening the capacity of youth officers and developing a Youth Strategy, this partnership continues through concrete steps in supporting young people.
Guided by the Youth Strategy, Sanski Most Municipality is launching a Youth Mobility Fund, which is a mechanism that will enable young people to participate in educational, cultural, sports, and other development-focused activities within BiH and beyond. This approach moves away from the usual focus on mobility as simply leaving the country and reframes mobility as a means of empowerment, networking, and personal growth for young people. Sanski Most wants to tell a different story of youth mobility as a path to learning opportunities, connection, and personal development.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT contributes to these changes and gladly supports the growing number of local communities that recognize the importance of supporting youth mobility for the purpose of networking, gaining new knowledge, adopting new values, and empowerment for active engagement.
The Working Group for establishing the Youth Mobility Fund, comprised of youth representatives and Sanski Most Municipality officials, met to define the key support framework for young people through this fund. They discussed activities that would contribute most to young people’s personal growth and development and community progress.
Youth participation in policy creation remains a priority for the Municipality. Mayor Mensur Seferović recognizes the importance of engaging with youth directly, so the day after the working meeting, the Municipality organized a Youth-Government Dialogue. The Dialogue took place at the Youth Day Center and touched on a variety of topics related to young people’s needs and ideas, with special focus on mobility.
Participants emphasized how important it is to make opportunities accessible to all young people, including those from rural areas. They highlighted barriers to accessing activities, such as distance and lack of transportation. Young people need to be able to participate in activities available in Sanski Most before they can be motivated to engage actively. Young people see regular participation in activities and education as key to personal growth and expanding their horizons.
Young people living farther away often miss out on Municipality-run events and opportunities because they can’t easily get to the Center. There was a strong interest in supporting young people who want to develop IT skills and gain the competencies needed in today’s job market.
Mayor Seferović emphasized that the Youth Mobility Fund will serve as concrete proof of the Municipality’s commitment to expanding opportunities and promoting youth engagement. The Dialogue brought together young people, decision-makers, and municipal service representatives, clearly demonstrating the potential of such events to build mutual trust and foster cooperation.
The Center for Peacebuilding, which manages the Youth Center in Sanski Most, plays a vital role in this ongoing collaboration. Through their work, they actively engage young people and help transform their ideas into initiatives and activities. The Youth Day Center offered more than just a venue. It provided an atmosphere of support, inclusion, and empowerment. Young participants felt heard and valued, while decision-makers left encouraged by what had been achieved and motivated to pursue further improvements.
These activities are part of the project “Designing, Developing and Adopting Youth Policies”, which 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.
