Innovation in formal education

The BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs developed the Guidelines for the Improvement of Online and Blended Teaching for Education Systems in BiH to enhance the quality and inclusiveness of formal education.

In 2024, the BiH Council of Ministers adopted several decisions to support the development of science, innovation, and international scientific cooperation. These measures aim to contribute to the implementation of strategic documents and fulfil international obligations in the field of science.

A grant titled “Support for Technical Culture and Innovation in BiH” was approved, allocating a total of 117,000 KM for the co-financing of scientific and innovative initiatives across the country. The objective is to strengthen innovation capacities and encourage the development of technical culture in line with national priorities.

Additionally, the Council adopted the criteria for the allocation of funds under the “Grant for the Implementation of Bilateral Cooperation Projects in the Field of Science Based on International Agreements”. This funding mechanism is intended for public universities and research institutions in BiH that conduct joint research projects with institutions in partner countries, including Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey.

Eligible expenses under the bilateral cooperation grant include travel, accommodation, and daily allowances for researchers participating in joint scientific projects during the 2024–2025 period. Funding is prioritised for institutions that demonstrate prior cooperation, participation in EU-funded programs such as Horizon Europe, COST, and EUREKA, and alignment with documented bilateral protocols.

These measures represent the primary mechanisms through which the state level supports scientific advancement and international collaboration.

Currently, there is no consolidated information available regarding curricula that incorporate innovative teaching methods and skills development within the formal education system in BiH. As the responsibility for education and curricula lies with lower-level authorities, the status and availability of such information vary across entities, cantons, and even individual schools.

In RS entity, an education reform process was initiated in 2019 aimed at modernizing the system and aligning it with labour market needs. The reform includes the digitization of teaching materials and the procurement of IT equipment for 500 schools.

Fostering innovation through non-formal and informal learning and youth work

The IT Academy is a training institution located in FBiH and RS. It is an online learning platform that provides a wide range of certified programs for online and distance learning, through 6 main departments with 31 areas: classic Internet programming, training for 24 software tools, administration, complex networks, IT business and mobile application development.

The PRONI Academy of Youth Work (PAOR) is a unique program of the PRONI Centre for Youth Development that provides young people with knowledge in the field of youth work. The goal of this program is to empower activists and youth workers to improve their skills for conducting youth work activities. The PRONI Academy of Youth Work is implemented in three levels and each last six months: PAOR A level – Education of youth workers, PAOR B level – Training for trainers, PAOR B+ - Managers of youth clubs/organizations. 

One - year training program for youth leaders “UMiD – Learn, think and act!” for active involvement in the community and the business world. The Institute for Youth Development KULT conducts certified training of youth leaders "Learn, think and act!", which, among other things, offers participants the opportunity to gain self-confidence, see their abilities and potentials and develop a sense of responsibility in society and teamwork and leadership skills.

The Academy for Political Leaders in BiH implemented by Institute for Youth and Community Development Perpetuum mobile is a one-year training program that the Institute has been successfully implementing since 2007. So far, 199 young politicians from 30 different political parties from 46 cities and municipalities in BiH have completed the ten-generation training program.

Entity-level ministries and the Government Department in BD publish annual public calls aimed at financing or co-financing programs and projects of public interest implemented by civil society organizations. These calls cover a wide range of thematic areas, including social protection, support for people with disabilities, child and youth welfare, elderly care, human rights protection and promotion, volunteering, anti-discrimination efforts, prevention of domestic and juvenile violence, addiction prevention, consumer protection, anti-corruption, promotion of European integration, as well as humanitarian and related activities. Calls are thematically broad, allowing organizations to select and address one or more priority areas in line with their mission and operational capacities.