9.6 Intercontinental youth work and development cooperation

In the context of intercontinental youth work and development cooperation, it is noticeable that the activities were implemented by civil society organizations, while information on activities organized by the state is not currently available.

Intercontinental youth work cooperation

AIESEC is a global platform that enables young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. It is an independent and non-profit organization run by students and young graduates of higher education institutions. Members of the organization are interested and engaged in global issues, leadership and management, and the programs they implement contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It has existed in BiH since 1955, which makes it one of the oldest organizations within the movement, and currently operates through 3 offices in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka. AIESEC is an organization in consultative status with the United Nation Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliated with the UNDP, member of ICMYO, and is recognized by UNESCO. The Global talent, Global teacher and Global Volunteer programs are intended for young people who want to work on their personal development and positively influence the world.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) have been organizing the youth exchange program Western Balkans meet Japan: A Bridge into the Future, under the MIRAI since 2018, aiming to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan and its policy, to promote mutual understanding and reconciliation through intellectual and cultural exchange, and build a basis for future friendship and cooperation between Japan and the Western Balkans. The MOFA started the program to support socio-economic reforms and facilitate reconciliation and cooperation in Albania, BiH, Kosovo*, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. MIRAI stands for Mutual understanding, Intellectual Relations and Academic exchange Initiative.

Development cooperation activities

The BiH Futures Foundation aims to transform BiH into a prosperous nation that can respond to the challenges of the 21st century. It does this by empowering the youth through non-formal education, technology access and development of world-class leadership skills. Since its establishment in 2015, more than 70 scholars have participated in the foundation's scholarship program. The foundation has established three Future Academies for students, organized or co-organized 60 different events, including a community-focused Makerspace. The first Makerspace was opened in the city of Srebrenica. It is designed to enable and ensure a prosperous and innovative future for the youth of this community. The foundation, as a platform, gathers young people and experts from BiH and all over the world, with the aim of encouraging innovation and helping the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and startup founders in BiH.