Mechanisms and actors

The Interdepartmental Working Group for the development of the FBiH Youth Strategy 2025–2034 was established by the FBiH Ministry of Culture and Sports, based on the Government Decision adopted in October 2023. This initiative aligns with the FBiH Youth Law and the regulation on strategic planning.

The working group is composed of representatives from 20 FBiH institutions. These representatives are organized into thematic teams focusing on key areas such as employment, education, health, youth activism, and others. Together, they are tasked with jointly developing the strategic framework for youth policy.

The coordination of the working group is carried out by the Youth Department within the FBiH Ministry of Culture and Sports. Its activities are further supported by the Institute for Youth Development KULT and the FBiH Youth Council, which contribute to maintaining continuity, promoting interdepartmental cooperation, and ensuring the efficient exchange of information and ideas throughout the strategy development process.

The RS Council of Youth was established by the RS Government following the proposal of the RS Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports, with the mission to give their expert opinion on issues in the field of youth policy and its implementation. The Council members are the Minister of Family, Youth and Sports, Minister of Education and Culture, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Minister of Labour, War Veterans and Disabled Persons' Protection, Minister of Finance, a representative of the working body dealing with youth issues of the RS People’s Assembly and three representatives of the RS Youth Council. 

The RS Youth Policy 2023-2027 has ensured a multisectoral approach in the implementation of policies with defined stakeholders for each measure, which will further be developed through projects in the Action Plan for the implementation of youth policy. The RS Youth Policy encompasses a range of policies and measures defined in relevant strategies of RS, chapters, and documents relevant to the European integration process and other international obligations of RS and BiH, including the European Union Youth Strategy 2019–2027, the Council of Europe Youth Sector Strategy 2030, the United Nations Youth Strategy 2018-2030, and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Agenda, as well as the SDGs Framework in BiH.

The preparation of the annual action plan for the implementation of the Youth Policy is done after the policy adopted in cooperation with all stakeholders and partners involved in measures set out in the Youth Policy. Support to this process is provided by USAID, which supported the Ministry in drafting the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for the Youth Policy.

The process of developing the BD Youth Strategy was initiated and coordinated by the Department for Professional and Administrative Affairs of the BD Government. This process was formalized through the establishment of a multi-stakeholder working group responsible for drafting the strategy.

The working group included representatives from key government departments and ministries, such as those responsible for education, employment, and social welfare. In addition, the group comprised members of the BD Youth Council and external experts from the Institute for Youth Development KULT.

To ensure the strategy reflected the real needs of young people, a structured youth-government dialogue was organized. This dialogue involved over 30 participants from youth organizations, NGOs, and public institutions, and served to identify thematic priorities including employment, security, social welfare, education, health, culture, and youth activism.

Supporting this process, the Institute for Youth Development KULT conducted a field survey on youth needs in March 2020. The findings were presented to the working group to inform them of the strategic goals and policy measures proposed in the draft strategy.

Following the completion of the draft, the BD Government reviewed the proposed document prepared by the interdepartmental working group. In February 2023, the District Assembly officially adopted the Youth Strategy 2022–2026. This strategy includes provisions for strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, including the establishment of a dedicated youth department within the government structure.