Youth work plays a crucial role in fostering the development of young people, empowering them to become responsible, engaged, and productive members of their communities. This role is particularly vital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where young people are faced with a multitude of challenges.
Recognizing the critical role of youth work, we launched another training course for expert youth work associates. All participants share a common goal: to enhance their expertise and become key actors in youth work, contributing to community development.
“The training deepened my understanding of young people’s needs and challenges, and gave me tools and methods for more effective community work. This training is an opportunity for young people to work with their peers and it helps me understand myself so I can then empower youth in my local community,” said Indira Agić from the REAktiv Association in Zenica.
The training introduced a new approach to empowering future expert associates for youth work in BiH, equipping them with skills they need to effectively engage with young people in their communities. Participants from across the country embarked on an intensive multi-day program, eager to learn the skills they need to support young people in their communities. From the start, the training focused on developing youth work skills—but in an unconventional way. The atmosphere was dynamic and collaborative, with participants engaging in practical scenarios and simulations to prepare for real-world challenges in youth work.
“First of all, I feel safe at this training, and that is very important for to me to be able to share a part of myself with others. In addition to gaining knowledge, I formed new friendships and connected with like-minded people from different communities who share the same goals and vision. I also received continuous support from the team at the Institute for Youth Development KULT, which allowed me to bring the ideas I developed during the training to life. I leave this training with a feeling of happiness, belonging, peace, motivation and positive attitude”, said Arman Bešlija from the Youth Innovation Forum, Goražde.
In the final training module, future professional associates improved their skills in key areas, with a particular focus on communication and advocacy in youth work. Participants learned how to establish effective communication that addresses the needs of young people, convey messages clearly and engagingly, and use digital tools to encourage and increase involvement.
The second part of the final training module focused on public advocacy. Participants learned the fundamentals of advocacy, developed strategies for creating advocacy campaigns, and had the chance to work on practical examples. Through this training, participants were introduced to techniques that will help them to be effective advocates in their communities, particularly on issues important to young people.
The training also included key concepts such as the theory of change and how to prepare a logical framework for a campaign. These tools help expert associates structure their activities and link them to long-term goals, ultimately allowing them to drive community change in a thoughtful and strategic way.
Remza Oeztuerk from Sanski Most, who was recently employed at the Center for Peacebuilding, stated: “The training for expert youth associates opened the door to a whole new world for me—youth work. Since I am new to this sector, every step I took was filled with new discoveries and emotions. I learned how to tackle challenges and recognize the opportunities this profession offers, with each new piece of knowledge expanding my horizons. Thanks to the Institute and the amazing trainers, I gained valuable knowledge that sparked my passion for working with young people and helped me develop my emotional intelligence. I felt a deep connection with others, and realized how important it is to support others and create positive change in the community. These experiences have made a lasting impact, and I believe they will shape my journey in ways I have yet to discover.”
After completing this training, youth workers are equipped with the skills to face new challenges, becoming the voices of their communities and catalysts for positive change.
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