Through the local civil initiative Youth for Inclusive Sport, run by the Sports and Recreation Association Sunce in Banja Luka, young people gained new skills, developed leadership abilities, and took an active role in promoting the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities through sport.
As part of this initiative, ten young participants took part in a two-day training focused on working with athletes with developmental disabilities, as well as workshops on leadership and organising sports events. Throughout the project, they regularly joined training sessions and put their new skills into practice by helping organise the inclusive race, Sunny Run.
Sanja Kobašlić Jovanović, President of the Sunce Association, said the project helped empower young people in the community by strengthening their understanding of inclusion and improving their leadership and organisational skills. She also noted a growing interest among young people in sports and other activities that include people with developmental disabilities.
“What mattered most was that, as they worked on the project, participants let go of their initial fear and uncertainty, and many of their prejudices simply disappeared,” said Sanja.
Volunteers’ experiences further highlight the impact of the initiative. Tijana Jerković, a student of special education and rehabilitation, said that volunteering on the project allowed her to connect what she learns in class with real-world experience.
“Volunteering on the Youth for Inclusive Sport project with the Sunce Association gave me valuable hands-on experience. Being involved in organising the race showed me how much sport can contribute to inclusion, social interaction, and building self-confidence among people with disabilities. What stayed with me most were the smiles and enthusiasm of the participants. Seeing how much a sense of belonging meant to them confirmed that I had chosen the right profession and motivated me even more to work in this field,” Jerković said.
Sara Filipović also shared her experience, saying the project brought her new knowledge and new connections. She described it as well-designed and said she met many kind and inspiring people.
“I hope more people notice organisations like this and get the chance to take part in similar projects and experience what I did over the past month and a half,” Filipović said.
Volunteer Aleksa Malešević said the project helped him grow personally and inspired him to stay involved.
“The Youth for Inclusive Sport project was a great experience. It allowed me to work with wonderful children and their parents, as well as volunteers who inspired me to become a better person, keep growing, and continue helping others,” Malešević said.
The initiative was also supported by the Training for Expert Associates for Youth Work by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. According to the project coordinator, the training played an important role in both personal and professional development, helping participants strengthen their youth work skills, improve communication, and better understand how to create a supportive environment for young people.
At the end of the project, Sanja Kobašlić Jovanović encouraged young people to believe in themselves and their ideas, stay active, ask questions, keep learning, connect with others, and take every opportunity to grow so their voices can be heard in the community.
The Training for Expert Associates for Youth Work, conducted by the Institute for Youth Development KULT, is a comprehensive four-module program that (through practical work and a final assessment) develops the key competencies needed for quality youth work, supports young people’s development and active participation, and strengthens the youth sector and their communities.
