Through the civic initiative “First Youth Street Race”, organised by the Association for Information and Civic Engagement Z-Media, led by Amar Buljubašić and implemented in partnership with the Zavidovići Cultural and Sports Centre, young people in Zavidovići organised the city’s first-ever 5 km street race – Zavidovići 5K.
The aim of the initiative was to establish a new sporting event in the town where three rivers meet, giving Zavidovići its first street race of this kind. The event brought together several hundred professional and recreational runners, mostly young people, along with international participants. This gave the race added visibility and helped Zavidovići find its place on the regional map of sporting events.
Organising the race was a demanding technical and logistical task, particularly because most of the young activists and volunteers were facing an event of this scale for the first time. Coordinating a large number of participants, along with significant human and material resources, posed a real challenge. Despite this, the young people of Zavidovići successfully delivered the event, managing the entire process themselves, from planning and logistics to promotion and public communication.
“This initiative clearly showed what young people are capable of when they are given trust and responsibility. It was a major challenge, but also an opportunity for us to learn, grow, and prove that we can deliver even the most complex projects,” said Amar Buljubašić.
According to Amar, the organisation process brought out the best in the young volunteers and activists. Through hands-on experience, they developed organisational and leadership skills, gained confidence, and strengthened their sense of belonging to the community.
“The greatest satisfaction for me is seeing the happiness of the young people who were involved in organising the race. By participating in this initiative, they recognised their own abilities and potential and saw how they can contribute meaningfully to their community,” Buljubašić added.
A key role in the successful implementation of the initiative was played by the Training Expert Associates for Youth Work, delivered by the Institute for Youth Development KULT. Buljubašić noted that this training was essential preparation for leading such a demanding project.
“The training prepared me for the challenges that come with initiatives like this, especially in terms of coordinating volunteer teams, delegating tasks, and managing a large number of participants on the day of the event, as well as throughout the entire implementation process,” he explained.
The initiative has left visible marks on the community and has had a strong personal and professional impact on the young people involved. By organising Zavidovići’s first street race, they demonstrated that they have the knowledge, energy, and motivation to actively contribute to the development of their community.
“Young people largely shape their own future. What matters is taking the first step and motivating yourself and others. The right time is now, because ideas don’t happen on their own; they become reality through active civic engagement,” Buljubašić concluded.
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.
