The Institute for Youth Development KULT has a long-standing practice of continuously monitoring and analysing data on the implementation of youth laws at all levels of government in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The culmination of this work is the online platform Integritet.ba, designed for anyone who wants a transparent look into how laws and policies affecting young people are implemented across the country.
Because information about youth policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina is often communicated in an unclear or fragmented way, Integritet.ba has served as a key monitoring tool since 2012. Today, it is the largest database of its kind in BiH. The platform provides a clear overview of how mechanisms defined by youth laws are implemented, tracking more than 200 institutions, 400 political representatives, and over 30 political parties. Data is collected through a standardised questionnaire that has been regularly sent to institutions since 2012. As of 2024, the process has been further streamlined, allowing institutions to submit their responses directly via the online platform.
Integritet.ba helps to dispel misconceptions or prejudices about an institution or an elected official in terms of their work (or lack of work) on behalf of youth, i.e., it shows whether information presented to the public is accurate. The platform enables detailed analysis and comparison between institutions, decision-makers, and political parties, making it a valuable resource for a wide range of users: young people, civil society organisations, the media, academic researchers, and institutions themselves. For institutions and their leadership, the platform also provides an opportunity to present and promote their work and activities related to youth.
However, despite technical improvements and the platform’s clear value, we have observed a worrying decline in institutional transparency. Each year, fewer institutions choose to respond to the youth law implementation questionnaire. While 160 institutions participated in previous years, only 47 institutions completed the 2024 questionnaire, despite 247 institutions being contacted.
This sharp drop in response rates points to serious challenges in meeting legally mandated transparency requirements. The reasons behind the low response rate are complex and reflect broader systemic shortcomings in how youth issues are addressed. It is often difficult to reach officials responsible for youth-related matters, and many local government units do not have staff dedicated specifically to youth policy. Instead, responsibility is frequently assigned to a single public servant covering multiple areas. Transparency in implementing youth laws is not merely a formal obligation but a cornerstone of accountable governance. Completing the questionnaire and submitting data provides obvious benefits for both institutions and the wider community.
For institutions, Integritet.ba enables comparison with other government bodies, helping them assess their own performance and progress over time. It allows institutions to track improvements or setbacks and to learn from the documentation and practices of others.
The data published on Integritet.ba is equally important for the broader public. Civil society organisations can monitor youth law implementation, while the media and academic community can use the platform for research and analysis. Young people, in particular, can follow the work of elected representatives, access information on budgets, and track youth participation in decision-making processes.
Despite the overall decline in transparency, a number of institutions stand out for their consistent and long-term commitment to submitting data on youth law implementation. These institutions recognise the value of the Integritet platform and regularly update their information, demonstrating accountability and responsibility toward young people and their communities. Their example shows that open communication is both possible and beneficial.
Visit the Institutions section on Integritet to see which institutions and local government units consistently report on their work.
The Institute for Youth Development KULT will continue working to improve the accessibility and encourage the use of the platform. The goal is to motivate government institutions to actively participate in completing the questionnaire and submitting the required documentation, while helping them recognise the very real benefits of transparency. By actively engaging with Integritet.ba, institutions contribute to an objective portrayal of youth-related issues and to the development of better youth policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Visit Integritet.ba to check whether your community has submitted its data.
For additional information about the Integritet platform, reach out to amina.sadikovic@mladi.org or by phone at +387 33 778 766.
