Support for Youth Leads to Opening of First Game Development Studio in BiH

The next hit video game may well come from Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina, thanks to the efforts of innovative young people.

Amar Zubčević from Sarajevo developed an interest in video games ten years ago. He had fun coding with his friend, and learning by designing different video games. The value of their work was recognised by eminent members of the gaming industry, as evidenced by the many awards these developers received.

The Institute for Youth Development KULT recognised the potential of Amar’s idea, and in cooperation with the Municipality Stari Grad, and the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in BiH, provided Amar with support in developing his business. Amar now owns the first game development studio in BiH, where he will be working with a few friends, and will soon start hiring other talented young people.

“This support will help us grow, give jobs to other young people, implement more demanding projects. I’ve always loved working, and I’ve worked through my university studies, but now I have a chance to really do some great things.” – Amar Zubčević.

Thanks to the Entrepreneurial Fund for Youth, which was founded to support young people’s promising ideas, 3D printing is on its way to become a feasible business in BiH as well.

“We will make others happy, the way this support made us happy. I was unemployed for a long time, and now I have a chance to give jobs to others. A helping hand is all young people need to succeed, and this is a perfect example.” – Rusmir Poturović.

The Entrepreneurial Fund for Youth in Stari Grad funded businesses by car mechanics, car painters, photographers, hairdressers, and a veterinary pharmacy was opened. The total amount for funding youth-owned businesses in Stari Grad is 40,000 BAM, allocated in equal amounts by the Stari Grad Municipality and the Institute for Youth Development KULT.

The Entrepreneurial Fund for Youth contains joint funds of local units of self-government and the Institute for Youth Development KULT, used for funding youth entrepreneurship and employment in 8 municipalities and cities, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden.

The total amount in the Entrepreneurial Fund for Youth is around 400,000 BAM, and will be used to support 50-100 youth-owned businesses. So far, these funds were used to support businesses in: Municipality Stari Grad Sarajevo, Municipality Jajce, Municipality Teslić, Municipality Novi Travnik, Municipality Centar Sarajevo, Municipality Modriča, City of Cazin and City of Trebinje.