A big day for young people in the FBiH is just around the corner. After months of dedicated work by government and civil society organizations, the Youth Strategy of the Federation of BiH 2025–2034 will be up for adoption as the fifth item on the agenda of the FBiH House of Representatives on April 28, 2025.
Adopting this Strategy is a critical step toward creating better opportunities for young people and improving their overall position in society. It would also send a powerful message that institutions are ready to engage with youth in a serious, strategic way.
The Strategy clearly defines goals and directions for action. It provides institutions with a realistic overview of young people’s position in society, their needs, the current institutional responses, and the solutions that need to be put into place. The Strategy is focused on long-overdue systemic solutions in the FBiH. It addresses issues that have been awaiting attention since 2010, when the Youth Law of FBiH was adopted, obligating institutions to develop and implement strategic documents.
There are many reasons to adopt this Strategy. The most important one is that it would directly improve the quality of life for young people in FBiH. Here are five key reasons that also reflect legal responsibilities:
- A systematic approach to youth issues
The Strategy creates a coordinated, long-term framework for addressing the challenges young people face, especially in the areas of education, employment, health, social protection, safety, volunteering, access to information, and participation in decision-making.
2. Earmarked funding and more effective implementation of policies
By setting clear goals, priorities, and measures, the Strategy enables more efficient use of public and international funds used to implement youth policies. This allows us to track how much we really invest in young people.
3. Building trust between youth and institutions
The Strategy recognizes youth not just as service users, or worse, as a “problem”, but as a resource. This sends an empowering message and encourages greater engagement in social, political, and economic life. All this can only be achieved by implementing the Strategy, which will also build trust between youth and institutions that are clearly committed to working for youth.
4. Alignment with European and regional practices
Importantly, the Strategy brings youth policy in FBiH into line with the approaches of BiH, the EU, the Council of Europe, and neighboring countries, thus opening space for international cooperation and development of the youth sector. It is also a key step on our path to EU integration.
5. Meeting legal obligations
Lastly, implementing the Law is a legal obligation for all of us. Adopting the Strategy would mark the first time the FBiH Youth Law has been fully implemented. The Strategy is co-created by young people from over 50% of local governments across the FBiH.
Youth were deeply involved in creating this Strategy through research, working groups, consultations, and direct dialogue. This process reflects their belief, and that of those working with them, that this document can bring meaningful change. A decade from now, we hope to have built more trust in institutions, higher rates of youth volunteering, and a strong belief that youth voices can shape society.
With this Strategy, young people in FBiH gain a powerful tool for demanding dialogue with the government and policy makers at all levels and proactively engaging in making positive change happen. The Strategy reflects their ideas, needs, proposals, and visions, and offers a framework youth can draw on when demanding that their problems and challenges be addressed. This valuable document should remain top of mind for all of us.
We once again acknowledge the tireless efforts of the FBiH Ministry of Culture and Sports, and the efforts of all other government institutions involved, and every working group member, especially the youth representatives Ammar, Iman, Berina, and Amila, and the Youth Council of FBiH.
The Institute is proud to have invested our energy and resources into this promising effort. We’re confident every parliamentarian will raise their hand for YOUTH!
