First working meeting of the Advisory Group for drafting the document within the initiative “Strength and Impact of Youth Work in Bosnia and Herzegovina” held

Organized by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Institute for Youth Development KULT, within the initiative “Strength and Impact of Youth Work in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, the first working meeting of the Advisory Group for drafting a document containing recommendations on the importance and development of youth work in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on March 17, 2026. The gathering of key stakeholders marked the beginning of a process aimed at creating a document that will serve as a strategic framework for action and become an essential factor in advancing youth work.

In his opening remarks, the Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs for Education, Adnan Husić, emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach in drafting this document, with a particular focus on young people as the end users of the proposed solutions.

“Our meeting today demonstrates a shared commitment to developing youth work in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a systematic and long-term sustainable manner. Our goal is to further strengthen this field, to move it beyond individual initiatives and enthusiasm into a space of clearly defined standards, recognized expertise, and European practices,” Husić stated.

The specificity of this Advisory Group lies in its multi-sectoral composition. The meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, and the expert community. The synergy of authorities, the civil sector, and professionals ensures the applicability of the document, brings the voice of the community, and guarantees transparency and a solid scientific basis for the proposed solutions.

The main objective of the first working meeting was to establish a shared understanding of the purpose of the initiative and the document drafting process. The framework, structure, and key messages of the document were also defined, key challenges and priorities for the development of youth work in Bosnia and Herzegovina were identified, and the methodology and work dynamics were agreed upon. At the end of the meeting, dates for the next two meetings were confirmed, further emphasizing the commitment of all stakeholders to complete this process at the highest professional level.

Particular emphasis was placed on the role of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a key institutional partner in this process, whose active participation contributes to ensuring a systemic approach, cross-sectoral coordination, and the long-term sustainability of youth work development in Bosnia and Herzegovina.