The City of Doboj, as a community committed to young people, has already begun drafting a new youth policy for the period 2026–2030, even though the current strategy is in force until the end of this year. This proactive approach sets an example of good practice in ensuring continuous support and systematic care for youth.
The youth strategy is a document developed by government institutions outlining programs that address the problems and needs of young people. It provides strategic directions, sets objectives, and specifies measures to achieve these objectives.
The first meeting of the Coordination Body and working groups as part of the drafting process of the City of Doboj’s youth policy marks a step toward a structured and participatory approach to creating a strategic document that will outline guidelines for improving the position of young people in this local community.
The meeting was attended by members of the Coordination Body, which includes representatives of city administration, public institutions, youth organizations, and other relevant actors, as well as members of thematic working groups. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the process so far, key future steps, and the roles each of them will play in the development of the youth policy. The composition of this working body demonstrates that the voices of young people will be heard and represented throughout the process, as youth representatives and young experts are members of each of the six thematic groups.
A survey on the position and needs of young people is already underway, and relevant insights are being collected on the everyday challenges and priorities of this population through comprehensive surveys conducted by young interviewers from Doboj. The responses, together with other data collected by the working groups, will serve as the foundation for creating the strategic document.
Young people are often described as the “future of society,” but a high-quality youth policy is key to giving them real opportunities in the present. A local youth policy enables systematic action and long-term support in areas such as education, employment, health, culture, participation, and mobility. Through clearly defined goals, measures, and budgetary support, a youth policy provides stability and becomes a tool that addresses the real needs of young people and lays the groundwork for their active involvement in community development. This is why such processes must be inclusive, transparent, and data-driven.
This is an important step toward a systematic approach to addressing the challenges young people face in Doboj and contributing to building a local community where youth feel recognized, included, and supported.
The drafting process is being carried out with the support of the Institute for Youth Development KULT, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the capacities of local communities for developing and implementing youth policies throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the project “Let’s Design, Create and Adopt Youth Policies,” 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 BiH, 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.
