Mental health plays a crucial role in shaping the well-being and academic success of students. However, in the Zenica-Doboj Canton, primary and high school students face significant challenges related to stress, anxiety, and depression, with a lack of systemic support and school psychologists exacerbating the issue.
To address these concerns, Emina Odobašić and Enis Mlivić propose a set of actionable interventions, including:
Mental health workshops for students, offering a safe space for emotional expression and coping strategies. Online counseling platforms and support networks, ensuring accessibility to professional help. Think tanks and advocacy initiatives to institutionalize psychological support in schools.
Inspired by successful regional models in Serbia, Croatia, and North Macedonia, these initiatives aim to bring sustainable change to the education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
💡 Prioritizing mental health in education will not only benefit individual students but will also contribute to a more supportive and understanding society for future generations!
Read the full policy brief here to learn more about our recommendations.
About authors:
Emina Odobašić, High school student at Prva gimnazija in Zenica, with an interest in social activism
Enis Mlivić, 22, Bachelor of International Relations and European Studies, member of the Assembly of Young Intellectuals of the Circle 99, Youth activist for Human Rights & Political Participation, passionate historian and social science researcher
The POLITEIA Thematic Session on Education and Policy Making in the Western Balkans successfully took place from January 21-23, 2025, in Sarajevo, bringing together 12 young changemakers from across the region. The session, part of the EU-funded Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, aimed to strengthen participants’ understanding of education policies, EU integration chapters, and policy-making processes.
Key Takeaways from the Session:
Understanding Youth and Education Policies: Participants explored the current state of education in the Western Balkans, analyzing key policy frameworks and their impact on young people. Led by Lejla Ramić Mesihović, Head of International Relations and European Studies at International Burch University, this session provided a broad overview of education policies and youth-related initiatives.
Deep Dive into EU Chapters 25 & 26: Discussions focused on science, research, education, and culture, highlighting how education policy reforms are connected to employment, mobility programs, and youth engagement opportunities. Real-world case studies helped participants grasp the practical impact of EU integration on education.
The Role of Stakeholders in Policy Making: Participants examined the influence of governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), and young people in shaping education policies. The session emphasized the importance of youth participation and how inclusive decision-making leads to meaningful policy improvements.
Training on Policy Brief Development: Under the mentorship of Hata Kujraković, Projects Coordinator at International Burch University, participants learned the theoretical framework of policy-making and practical skills for drafting policy documents. They engaged in hands-on group work, applying their knowledge to develop policy briefs tackling key educational challenges in their respective countries.
Next Steps: Turning Ideas into Action
As a result of the session, participants will finalize their policy briefs, proposing concrete recommendations for improving education policies in the Western Balkans.
The POLITEIA Thematic Session once again proved to be a valuable platform for empowering youth, fostering regional cooperation, and equipping young changemakers with the skills to shape the future of education policy in the Western Balkans.
🇪🇺 This session was organized as part of the EU-funded RYDE project, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting youth engagement, policy development, and regional collaboration.
On January 21, 2025, we held the Third National Policy Lab on the topic of Employment, with a special focus on the Youth Guarantee. The event took place online via Zoom and brought together key stakeholders to discuss previous findings and shape recommendations for the next steps.
The session was opened by Amela Hrasnica, Communications Manager, who provided an overview of the discussions so far and outlined the goals moving forward. The main topics included:
✅ Review of previous discussions – where we stand, key takeaways, and areas that require further attention. ✅ Conclusions and recommendations – participants shared insights and proposed concrete actions to improve employment policies for young people.
The discussions highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and policy improvements to ensure better employment opportunities for youth.
On January 7, 2025, we continued our mission within the RYDE project by hosting the Second National Policy Lab on Employment at SKRIPTA IdeaLab in Sarajevo. This interactive event brought together 15 dedicated participants, along with the project coordinator and moderator, to focus on actionable strategies for improving youth employment opportunities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Under the expert facilitation of Amela Hrasnica, dynamic discussions unfolded, leading to key recommendations that will guide future steps in policy development. Participants actively engaged in exploring innovative ideas and solutions, ensuring that youth voices are at the heart of our efforts.
Employment remains a cornerstone of socio-economic stability, particularly for young people transitioning from education to the labor market. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, youth unemployment continues to pose significant challenges, impacting not only individual livelihoods but also the broader economic landscape. Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving access to quality jobs, fostering skill development, and creating supportive ecosystems for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Policy Lab served as a platform for participants to discuss these challenges and identify practical solutions to promote employment opportunities for young people. Conversations centered on aligning education and training with labor market demands, strengthening public-private partnerships, and creating more inclusive policies that support young job seekers across diverse regions and industries.
As part of these discussions, the Youth Guarantee initiative was highlighted as one potential tool to bridge gaps in youth employment. Participants explored ways to adapt this model to the local context, emphasizing the importance of government commitment, private sector involvement, and educational reforms to make this initiative effective.
By focusing on employment as a key priority, the RYDE project seeks to empower young people to take an active role in shaping their futures and contributing to the development of resilient and sustainable communities. Through Policy Labs like this one, we aim to build a foundation for impactful policies that address systemic barriers and unlock the potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s youth.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Amela Hrasnica for her leadership and to all participants for their enthusiastic contributions.
The RYDE project, funded by the European Union, is dedicated to fostering opportunities and driving meaningful change for young people. Stay tuned as we continue working together to create a brighter future for youth employment.
The deadline for submitting application is January 15, 2025
We invite you to apply for the POLITEIA Thematic Session „Education and Policy Making in the Western Balkans“ that will take place January 21-23, 2025, in Hotel Hills, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the Session is to provide the young participants with an in-depth understanding of the current public policies and other documents related to the Education in the Western Balkans in the context of the EU integration process. Participants will also be introduced to the policy making process and policy document structure in general.
The POLITEIA Thematic Session „Education and Policy Making in the Western Balkans“ will be followed by one mentoring day where the participants will be able to work with the mentor and practice the gained knowledge on preparing and analysing policy documents related to this field.
Participation in the POLITEIA Thematic Session is open to representatives of young organizations, young activists, policy makers and young people from political parties from Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo* and North Macedonia (older than 18 years).
The deadline for submitting application is January 15, 2025.
Please kindly note that participation in the POLITEIA Thematic Session is free of charge! The organizer is covering accommodation, food and travel costs.
Working language will be English.
The POLITEIA Thematic Session is organized as a part of a three-year “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” Project funded by the European Union.
The Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe Project is implementing by the Center for Democracy Foundation (CDF), Belgrade (as project coordinator) and partner organizations: Academy of European Integration and Negotiations from Tirana (AIEN); Kosovo Stability Initiative from Pristina (IKS); Association Network of Progressive Initiatives from Sarajevo (NPI); NGO Info Center from Skopje (NGO IC); Regional Academy for Democratic Development from Novi Sad (ADD); Youth Act Center from Tirana (YA). The project is funded by the European Union.
Posljedni komentari