Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have national youth representation bodies beside the Commission for Coordination of Youth Issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Youth parliament

There is no youth parliament in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Youth councils and/or youth advisory boards

Bosnia and Herzegovina features three primary umbrella youth councils, one in each administrative unit, serving as key platforms for youth representation, advocacy, and participation in policymaking.

The Republika Srpska Youth Council operated as the official umbrella youth organization, legally established under the 2004 Law on Youth Organization of Republika Srpska. It represented youth interests and collaborated with government bodies.

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, six cantonal youth councils formed during 2014–2015, leading to the establishment of the Youth Council of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in December 2015. This body continued to function as an umbrella organization, aligned with the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Law, coordinating local and cantonal structures while advocating for youth issues.

The Youth Council of the Brčko District was established in 2018 and served as the representative body for youth in Brčko District.

Additionally, in Republika Srpska, a separate advisory Council on Youth included members of the Republika Srpska Government, representatives from the Republika Srpska Youth Council, and delegates from the Committee for Youth Affairs of the Republika Srpska National Assembly, providing structured dialogue between youth and authorities.

These councils historically played vital roles in promoting youth participation, though challenges persisted in coordination across entities. Recent developments included the formation of international advisory bodies, such as the European Union's first Youth Advisory Board in late 2025, comprising 15 young leaders to advise on EU policies in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Structure

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Council is a youth umbrella organization in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina established under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Law. As an umbrella organization, the Youth Council was established under the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Law on Youth by six cantonal youth councils.

The Republika Srpska Youth Council is an umbrella youth organization in Republika Srpska, whose position and role are defined by the Republika Srpska Law on Youth Organization, adopted by the Republika Srpska National Assembly in 2004.

The Brčko District Youth Council is an umbrella organization of youth organizations in Brčko District established under the Brčko District Youth Law.

Composition

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Council consists of the six cantonal youth councils: youth councils of Tuzla, Sarajevo, Una-Sana, West Herzegovina, Central Bosnia and Posavina cantons.

As an umbrella youth organization, the Republika Srpska Youth Council brings together local and youth organizations at the Republika Srpska level in its membership with the aim of representing and presenting their interests to the Republika Srpska institutions, in international cooperation, and similar.

The Brcko District Youth Council is an umbrella organization composed of ten youth organizations in Brcko District.

Role and responsibilities

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Council is a non-governmental organization that represents the interests of its members / founders at all levels of government. In addition to the member / founder, the Youth Council also represents the interests of all young people, youth organizations and organizations working with young people in the way of youth policies and affect the development and wellbeing of youth in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This Council is engaged in the implementation of joint projects of young people in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, membership and participation, or representation of youth issues at a higher level, builds dialogue with the institutions of government to improve the position of young people and build partnerships and co-operate internationally.

The Republika Srpska Youth Council was granted the status of an association of public interest based on spatial (territorial) and cultural action, multi-ethnic structure and long-term work aimed at meeting the needs of young people in the social-humanitarian field.

The Brčko District Youth Council aims to: encourage youth involvement in the social life of the community, strengthen cooperation between the Council and the institutions of government, promote youth work and youth work in general, popularize and disseminate awareness of the importance of youth work and youth access, improve the living conditions of young people in Brčko District, documents and operational programs in the field of youth work, collaborate with other youth councils, both at lower and higher levels of government.

Funding

The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Budget has one budget line dedicated to the youth called “Youth Grant” and managed by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sport, in support to youth organizations and financing the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Youth Council.

The Republika Srpska Ministry of Family, Youth and Sports finances the youth organizations and programs for young people in Republika Srpska, including the Republika Srpska Youth Council.

The Brčko District Youth Council is funded by the Brčko District Government through its Department for expert and administrative affairs.

Higher education student union(s)

There is no single national tertiary student union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, there is the Republika Srpska Students’ Union, a recognized entity‑level body in Republika Srpska. It is the Republika Srpska level union representing all universities (public and private) in Republika Srpska and some 60,000 students.

There is not any equivalent higher‑education student union in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Brčko District. University-level unions/associations exist in institutions such as the University of Sarajevo (SPUS), the University of Mostar, and other universities. 

In Republika Srpska, Students’ Union of Republika Srpska serves as the umbrella body for all these university-level student bodies. Similarly structured umbrella body does not exist in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Student representative bodies may legally form associations under the Framework Law on Higher Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but no national-level unified organization currently exists. 

Structure

The Republika Srpska Students’ Union was established under the Republika Srpska Law on Higher Education and the specific Law on Students’ Union in Republika Srpska, granting it legal legitimacy as a lex specialis. It is formally recognized as a student representative body within the higher education system of Republika Srpska. The union operates as an independent student association, not directly supervised by the Republika Srpska Ministry of Education and Culture. However, it is officially acknowledged by the public legal framework (HEA Bosnia and Herzegovina, ESU). The Students’ Union of Republika Srpska is headed by a President, supported by an International Officer and an Executive Committee that manages daily affairs.

Composition

Members of the leadership and Executive Committee are elected by delegates from member institutions. Terms for leadership roles are typically one year, consistent with practices in most European student unions, although this is not explicitly confirmed by Republika Srpska legislation. The Executive Committee and other governing bodies meet regularly, though the exact frequency is not published. As a member of the European Students’ Union (ESU), the Students’ Union of Republika Srpska is expected to adhere to European standards for inclusive student representation.

Roles & Responsibilities

The primary goals of the Students’ Union of Republika Srpska are to protect students' rights, enhance academic standards, and influence social and educational policy at both institutional and governmental levels (ESU Source). The union's work covers education reform, student welfare, access to quality higher education, international cooperation, and the democratic transformation of academic institutions. The Students’ Union of Republika Srpska actively participates in policy development processes within Republika Srpska. It holds consultative status with government bodies such as the Youth Council and the National Council for Higher Education, contributing to legislative and policy reform through non-binding proposals (ESU Profile).

Funding

Information on direct public funding of the Students’ Union of Republika Srpska is not clearly stated. It is probably financed through multiple channels, including project-based grants, membership fees, and support from EU and international organizations.

As a legally registered entity, the Students’ Union of Republika Srpska is financially accountable to its member universities. It is likely subject to standard auditing procedures under NGO and education laws in Republika Srpska, though no specific oversight body is publicly mentioned.

School student union(s) 

Bosnia and Herzegovina features two prominent national-level organizations representing secondary school students, enabling their participation in educational decision-making and advocacy for rights and improvements in schooling.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Network of Student Councils of Bosnia and Herzegovina (mreSVU), operational since 2011, serves as the unified state-level umbrella body for school-based student councils. Enabled by framework laws on secondary education enacted in the early 2000s, it advocates for the establishment and effective functioning of student councils in all secondary schools nationwide.

This network unites entity-level structures: the Council of Students of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Cantons (mreVUK), comprising cantonal student council networks, and the Republika Srpska Council of Student Councils, representing student councils from secondary schools in Republika Srpska (recent data indicate around 92 schools). These feed into the national body, coordinating advocacy, training, and activities such as regional workshops and annual conferences. The network remained active in 2024–2025, organizing trainings (e.g., in Trebinje in November 2024) and a closing conference in Sarajevo in December 2024.

Separately, the Association of Secondary School Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ASu Bosnia and Herzegovina) founded on November 4, 2007, operates as an independent non-governmental, non-partisan organization. Launched with support from over 250 student representatives and the German foundation Schüler Helfen Leben (SHL), which served as its primary donor initially, ASU Bosnia and Herzegovina focuses on enhancing student rights, inclusion in decision-making, education, and community projects.

ASU Bosnia and Herzegovina works through local teams across Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoting peer-to-peer initiatives, workshops, and advocacy. It has been a full member of the European school student union OBESSU since 2009. The organization stayed highly active in 2025, implementing student exchanges (e.g., between cities like Goražde-Žepče and Bijeljina-Kalesija), a Youth Media Academy, community renovations (such as a tennis court in Usora), arts projects like "Silent Voices Loud Art," and its flagship Social Day project. Its XVII General Assembly in December 2025 elected a new Managing Board.

Both organizations target students aged 15–18 (secondary school age), foster inclusivity through broad representation and peer training, and empower youth to influence education policy and community life, though they operate independently with distinct structures and approaches.

Cooperation with Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations at National and International Level

Bosnia and Herzegovina's school student organizations actively collaborate with a wide range of governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, donors, and international partners to implement projects, advocate for student rights, and promote youth engagement.

The Association of Secondary School Students in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ASu Bosnia and Herzegovina) maintains strong ties with international donors and organizations. Historically supported by the German foundation Schüler Helfen Leben (SHL), it has been a full member of the Organizing Bureau of European School Student Unions (OBESSU) since 2009, facilitating European-level advocacy and exchanges. ASu Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in EU-funded initiatives, including dialogues on youth mobility and democratic participation organized by the EU Delegation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside other student networks.

An example of past cooperation was the "Prijatelji bez granica" (Friends Without Borders) project, implemented around 2016 with financing from the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It involved three-day homestay exchanges among students from 11 towns across the country, combined with sightseeing, workshops, and a final conference in Sarajevo. A documentary film was produced to capture the experiences.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Network of Student Councils (mreSVU Bosnia and Herzegovina) focuses primarily on national-level partnerships, working closely with entity ministries of education, pedagogical institutes, and schools to strengthen student councils and organize trainings, peace camps, and advocacy actions. It coordinates with local governments and NGOs for regional workshops and annual conferences.

Both organizations engage in joint initiatives where possible, such as peer education programs and community actions, while benefiting from support by international entities like the EU and OBESSU to enhance capacity-building, inclusivity, and cross-entity cooperation among secondary school students.

Other bodies

The EU Youth Advisory Board in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established by the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina as an advisory mechanism aimed at strengthening youth engagement in EU policy processes. The Board serves as a consultative platform through which young people can contribute to the design and implementation of EU programmes, participate in thematic discussions and provide input on youth-related priorities and objectives.

The Board provides opinions and perspectives to EU decision-makers and facilitates the inclusion of youth viewpoints in EU policies and initiatives relevant to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through its activities, it also enables links between young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and wider European and global youth agendas. The EU Youth Advisory Board operates under the oversight of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and is financed from the Delegation’s budget. The Board usually consists of around 15 young people, selected through an open call targeting young leaders with an interest in EU-related youth issues.

In addition to policy consultation, the Board promotes inclusivity by facilitating networking and exchange with other EU Youth Advisory Boards and similar youth platforms at regional and global levels.