Young Community Leaders: “Odraz” Initiative Inspires Positive Social Change

Involving young people in decision-making processes and supporting their peers is a key component for building a better society and future. Young people drive change and are a rich source of creative solutions for the many challenges we face as a society.

In this challenging world, individuals like Ana Gligorević step up and become beacons of hope and inspiration. Ana is a participant in the “Learn, Think and Act!” training for young leaders who stood out for her dedication and passion for solving problems in her community.

Through a local civil initiative, “Odraz,” which was supported by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, Ana looked into the challenges faced by young people from Banja Luka. Based on her findings, she organized educational workshops, lectures, and gatherings aimed at encouraging young people to step out of their comfort zones and use community resources effectively. She mainly focused on young people who come from dysfunctional families and have limited opportunities. Ana dedicated her efforts to supporting and fostering the growth and development of young people facing these particular challenges.

Learning about a variety of topics plays a key role in the personal and intellectual development of young people, regardless of their specific interests and ambitions. Exposure to knowledge and experiences across diverse topics offers many benefits for young people. Through the three workshops conducted thus far, more than 50 participants have had the opportunity to learn about job searching, career orientation, CV writing, and volunteering. These topics encouraged young people to think critically, broaden their horizons, develop universal skills, and find inspiration for creativity, as well as opportunities for growth.

This initiative helped young people in Banja Luka connect with peers who share their interests, encouraging them to support each other and make new friends. Ana plans to organize more activities soon, expanding the content and offering more opportunities to young people in Banja Luka.

This initiative is implemented in partnership with the organization Institute for Youth and Community Development Perpetuum Mobile from Banja Luka, with mentoring and financial support from the Institute for Youth Development KULT.