Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the domestic level

Although young people in BiH have limited opportunities for direct dialogue with policymakers at the national or international level, significant progress has been made through initiatives such as the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), launched in 2019 in cooperation between the PRONI Youth Development Center and the Swiss Embassy in BiH. YAB brings together ten young people, aged 16 to 24, from different parts of BiH, who, during their 12-month mandate, advise development program experts and Swiss Embassy staff on youth needs, providing feedback on program materials and projects. The aim of YAB is to empower young people for critical thinking, articulation of opinions, and engagement in development policies, particularly in the context of sustainable development and social inclusion.

In April 2024, the PRONI Center issued a call for new YAB members for the 2024–2025 period, inviting young people from BiH to join and contribute to shaping development programs tailored to their needs. YAB members have the opportunity to participate in workshops, consultations, and events that promote democratic values, youth activism, and community development. For example, in 2023, YAB contributed to the project “Art Remains”, which produced the film “Where are you goin’?” in cooperation with the Center for Culture and Youth of the Centar Municipality Sarajevo, supported by the Swiss Embassy. This project illustrates how YAB enables young people to express themselves through creative initiatives and influence social change.

Global issues exchanges with policy-makers at the international level

At the international level, the Young European Ambassadors (YEA) initiative, launched in 2020 within WeBalkans.eu, brings together young people from the Western Balkans to exchange ideas and advocate for European values. From 2020 to 2022, 180 YEAs organized events and connected communities, often in partnership with institutions such as EU Info Centres in BiH. The YEA program allows young people from BiH to participate in international dialogues with policymakers, including forums such as the EU–Western Balkans Youth Forum, where topics such as climate change and regional cooperation are discussed. According to WeBalkans.eu, in 2023, 25 young people from BiH took part in these forums, contributing to policies related to the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

Additionally, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) organizes international exchanges between youth from BiH and policymakers in the region and beyond, through programs such as “RYCO Synergy”, which brings together young people and officials from Western Balkan countries and the EU to discuss global issues such as reconciliation and sustainable development. In 2024, RYCO supported 10 projects in BiH, engaging around 300 young people in dialogues with regional and European officials.