This year’s first story about youth workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina takes us to central Bosnia, to the municipality of Žepče. Šejla Aganović, an electrical engineer from Žepče, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Smart Grid Technology at the International Burch University in Sarajevo.
Since the start of her high school education, Šejla dreamed of becoming someone young people could rely on for advice, assistance, and support with personal growth. She wanted to be someone who creates opportunities for youth in Žepče and across Bosnia and Herzegovina. Šejla Aganović became interested in activism while in high school. Joining the Board of the Youth Bank in Žepče was the decision that led her into the youth sector.
“Thanks to my role as coordinator on the Youth Bank Board, I started educating myself more and researching the responsibilities and obligations of an expert associate for youth work.” Through all that, I was slowly becaming a youth worker, little by little, without even noticing,” says Šejla about the start of her youth work journey.
In 2019, Šejla earned the title of expert associate for youth work after completing a training course organized and conducted by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, formally recognizing her dedicated efforts and previous work.
Šejla says the training helped her discover her purpose and higher calling.
“I applied for the training because it seemed very useful, and I was sure that going through all the modules would leave me with a solid foundation. Not only did that turn out to be true, but I got much more than I bargained for. I learned very important things, such as laws and legal mechanisms, rights, obligations and responsibilities of stakeholders in youth work, and much more. After two years, I still maintain wonderful relationships with friends I made from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina. I had the opportunity to meet ambassadors and verty influential people in youth work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who continue to motivate me to keep going and never give up.”
Šejla’s more important takeaways from the training were knowledge, an open mind and amazing friendships. The certificate she received when completing the training comes with a great responsibility.
“Completing the training left us, the youth workers, with a significant responsibility: leading the youth in our communities and across Bosnia and Herzegovina toward a better quality of life. Youth workers are the first line of defense of young people’s dreams and progress”, adds Šejla.
According to Šejla, the youth sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina faces many challenges, including the high youth emigration rates. Motivating the remaining young people to become more actively involved in bringing about change is one of the biggest challenges we face.
Šejla sees her future in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She is one of the young people who went abroad for training and returned to contribute to her country with the knowledge she gained abroad. This successful young woman wants to show that a lot can be achieved in BiH with hard work.
“Despite all the challenges, I am sure that we have very knowledgeable people who will manage to solve these problems together. A few days ago I returned from professional training in Germany. I left with the intention of returning, it’s what I’ve always wanted although I am aware of the fact that BiH companies are not too motivated to keep young people in BiH by offering them a job or an internship. However, I hope that the situation will improve soon, because right now I am among the young people who are looking for a new job opportunity in their country”.
The multitalented, cheerful, and inspiring Šejla is currently in Sarajevo, working with young people through the Youth Bank and the BH Futures Foundation. In addition to her master’s studies, she enrolled in a Strategic and Operational Management course at the Business Academy, and we will soon hear more about Šejla’s own project aimed specifically at young people and their progress.
Dedicated to ongoing growth and eager to share her knowledge, Šejla ends her story by encouraging young people to be kind to themselves and to persist in pursuing their dreams.
“Anything is achievable with belief and dedication,” says Šejla Aganović, an electrical engineer and youth advocate. She is one of the many young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina who tirelessly contribute to societal development and create opportunities for their peers.
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