Two inspiring organizations from Tuzla and Zenica have recently created powerful stories with young people who want more — more knowledge, more opportunities, and more change. With financial support from the European Union in BiH, both organizations launched initiatives that brought together many motivated young individuals eager to take an active role in shaping their own futures.
Through engaging events and conversations, young people in Tuzla had the chance to learn all about technical faculties directly from students who chose that path. Meanwhile, in Zenica, participants were welcomed with quizzes, workshops, and dynamic learning formats that made the event fun and memorable. Knowledge was shared through laughter and connection in a great atmosphere.
Tuzla: “Youth for Change”
Many young people face uncertainty when it comes to life after high school, especially when choosing a university or career path. To address this, the “Youth for Change” initiative was launched in Tuzla to help navigate those choices.
The initiative, led by the Foundation for Innovation, Technology and Knowledge Transfer (FITT), in cooperation with the student councils of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Tuzla, organized two workshops for high school seniors. These workshops offered a hands-on introduction to higher education in these sectors. It wasn’t just about slides and lectures – students and professors welcomed participants with energy and enthusiasm, alongside tech like CNC machines, PLC systems, and industrial robots.
One participant shared: “It was the first time I felt like someone was truly trying to help me understand what happens after graduation, without any pressure or stress.”
What made the initiative successful was that young people were learning from their peers. Former high schoolers, now students themselves, served as inspiration and mentors. The closeness, paired with the freedom to ask anything, helped diminish the stigma around “difficult” study programs and encouraged participants to consider careers in engineering and IT.
“We especially noticed that more girls are now seriously thinking about pursuing engineering careers, and the faculty staff has recognized the value of this direct engagement. Among the participants, we saw curiosity, confidence, and ambition,” FITT shared.
Sometimes, real change starts with just one great workshop, a few inspiring people, and a simple answer to the question: “What if I can actually do this?”
Zenica: “Youth Connect”
The story continues in Zenica with the initiative “Youth Connect,” created to offer young people a safe, supportive space where they can grow, learn, and be themselves.
Through quizzes, mental health workshops, dart tournaments, and board game nights, a welcoming environment emerged where conversation and connection sparked new ideas. The KVIZbi event blended knowledge with fun, while the “Don’t Burn Out – Reset” workshop opened up important discussions about self-care and mental well-being.
All the activities were united by one goal: to build a community where everyone feels welcome, where young people are encouraged to participate, and where their voices truly matter.
“The most important outcome is that many young people stayed involved in the activities at the Youth Center. They began proposing their own initiatives, inviting their peers, and spreading a positive message about the space. The dynamics at the Center changed, and it’s now brimming with youthful energy and creativity,” said the team from REaktiv.
The Youth Center in Zenica is now full of new ideas, bright smiles, and young people who create a great atmosphere simply by showing up.
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.
