More than half of young people in Vogošća say they are not considering leaving their community, which is a powerful indication that Vogošća is recognized as a place worth building a life in. This was one of the key findings of a study on the position and needs of young people conducted by the Institute for Youth Development KULT with the support of the youth association Aktiva 2014.
The analysis and findings were presented during the process of developing the Youth Strategy. The presentation brought together a large number of participants, including members of the Coordination Body and working groups, councillors, and members of the Commission for Human Rights, Youth, and Gender Equality, whose presence reflected the strong interest of the local community in hearing and addressing the voices and needs of its young people.
The study, which involved 372 young people from the Vogošća municipality, provided valuable insight into their attitudes, challenges, and aspirations. The respondents emphasized the importance of quality education that prepares them for the labour market, opportunities to gain practical knowledge and skills, and the need for a safe and supportive environment.
They also pointed out areas that require further development, highlighting above all the importance of strengthening youth organization, activism, and participation in decision-making processes. These insights serve as a crucial guide for those designing the future Youth Strategy.
“The analysis gives us a clear picture of the situation and the needs of young people in our community, and it helps us design concrete, realistic, and effective measures to improve their status,” it was emphasized during the meeting where experts and institutional representatives discussed priorities and directions for action over the next five years.
The first step in developing the strategy was the situational analysis, which, in addition to mapping the needs of young people, also identified existing policies and support mechanisms in areas such as education, employment, social and health protection, safety, culture, and sports. The analysis will inform the vision, priorities, and strategic goals to serve as a framework for future programs and measures.
With priority issues selected and the vision and strategic goals defined, the foundation has been laid for developing specific measures and programs that will contribute to improving the position of young people in Vogošća.
The Youth Strategy should provide decision-makers with a clear direction and concrete steps to improve the status of young people, and serve as a tool for a precise and realistic approach to creating an environment that encourages their growth and development.
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.
