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.
On 12.12.2024, the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with Network of Progressive Initiatives hosted a conference titled “A Decade of the Berlin Process: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead,” bringing together parliamentarians from the Western Balkans, representatives of international organizations, and key stakeholders involved in regional cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Member of Parliament Jasmin Emrić highlighted the Berlin Process as a cornerstone for strengthening stability and collaboration across the region: “This conference reaffirms that neither dialogue nor the European path has an alternative for us. We must seize this opportunity to further enhance regional cooperation and ensure that our countries become part of the single European market.”
Fellow Member of Parliament Šemsudin Mehmedović emphasized the critical role of parliamentarians in shaping regional policies: “It is our responsibility to promote democratic values and ensure transparent dialogue. This event provides a platform to reaffirm our commitment to regional cooperation and chart steps forward for advancing the Berlin Process.”
Adding to the opening remarks, Ms. Anida Šabanović, Program Manager at the Network of Progressive Initiatives BiH, reflected on the broader significance of regional parliamentary cooperation: “Together, we have strived to elevate the role of parliamentary diplomacy as a key tool in building trust, fostering dialogue, and aligning our efforts toward shared goals.”
Panel Discussions on Progress and Future Priorities
Morning Session: “International Perspectives: Berlin Process Progress and Future Goals”
Key speakers included:
Ms. Danijela Gačević, Acting Director of the CEFTA Secretariat, who emphasized the progress made under the Common Regional Market and outlined goals for enhanced trade and mobility integration.
Mr. Amer Kapetanović, designated Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), who reflected on fostering trust among regional actors and advancing the Green Agenda.
Mr. Stefano Ellero, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU to Bosnia and Herzegovina, who stressed the EU’s commitment to supporting regional development.
Moderated by Ms. Hata Kujraković, this session tackled major achievements and persistent challenges.
Conclusions from the First Panel:
The Common Regional Market (CRM) has been instrumental in strengthening trade and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans. However, reducing non-tariff barriers and improving policy alignment remain priorities.
The Green Agenda for the Western Balkans is a vital step towards climate-neutrality by 2050, but its implementation requires overcoming political fragmentation, limited resources, and insufficient investments in climate resilience.
Enhanced collaboration with the EU, particularly through targeted funding and policy support, is essential to address integration disparities and ensure the full implementation of regional commitments like the CRM and Green Agenda.
The RCC and CEFTA Secretariat emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum by focusing on inclusive policies that support both governments and local communities.
Afternoon Session: “Western Balkans at a Decade of the Berlin Process: Lessons Learned and Next Steps”
Parliamentarians from the Western Balkans discussed legislative reforms, trust-building initiatives, and the alignment of national priorities with EU standards. Speakers included:
Mr. Kreshnik Çollaku, Member of Parliament, Albania
Ms. Ermina Salkičević-Dizdarević, Member of Parliament, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Jovan Subotić, Member of Parliament, Montenegro
Mr. Agon Batusha, Member of Parliament, Kosovo
This session was moderated by Ms. Juljana Bilbilaj, Project Manager at the Institute for Political Studies.
Conclusions from the Second Panel:
Economic Integration: Panelists highlighted the critical importance of regional economic integration to enhance access to both regional and EU markets.
SEPA System Access: Ms. Ermina Salkičević-Dizdarević emphasized the benefits of joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), which could reduce transaction costs for businesses and individuals, including the Bosnian diaspora, by up to six times. SEPA would also strengthen oversight in areas such as anti-money laundering, cash flow management, and tax evasion prevention.
Environmental Competitiveness: Addressing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was identified as a pressing issue.
Broad Benefits for Citizens: Discussions underscored that regional cooperation under the Berlin Process offers tangible benefits for citizens, from economic growth to better governance and increased mobility.
Conference Organizers and Goals
The event was organized by the Network of Progressive Initiatives in cooperation with the Institute for Democracy “Societas Civilis” and regional partners. It is part of the project “Parliamentary Diplomacy: Regional Cooperation Through Enhanced Parliamentary Dialogue,” funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.
Concluding the conference, organizers and participants expressed their hope that the outcomes would serve as a foundation for concrete steps to advance regional cooperation and the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union.
On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, the First National Policy Lab focusing on Youth Employment and the Youth Guarantee successfully concluded at Europe House Sarajevo. The event, organized under the Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe (RYDE) project, brought together 20 participants, including decision-makers, representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), institutions, international organizations, and academia.
Event Highlights
The session opened with an introduction to the RYDE project, delivered by Anida Šabanović, RYDE Project Coordinator at the Network of Progressive Initiatives BiH. Participants gained insight into the project’s regional focus and its significance in addressing youth employment challenges across the Western Balkans.
Amela Hrasnica, Communications Manager at Europe House, outlined the objectives of the Policy Lab, setting the stage for an engaging discussion. Following a Tour de Table, participants connected over shared interests and expertise.
A pivotal moment of the event was the presentation of the Youth Study 2024, led by Ema Smolo-Zukan, Regional Communications Coordinator at Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Dialogue Southeast Europe. The study’s findings sparked thoughtful discussion and informed subsequent deliberations.
Participants also reflected on insights from the Regional Policy Lab, presented by Amela Hrasnica, before engaging in a collaborative session to draft initial recommendations on implementing the Youth Guarantee in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Looking Ahead
The discussions and recommendations from this session will be incorporated into future national and regional Policy Labs, further refining policies to address youth unemployment and enhance employment opportunities for young people across the region.
We extend our gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and valuable contributions. Together, we are paving the way toward a brighter future for youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.
Stay tuned for updates and follow the progress of the RYDE project!
The first Regional Youth Policy Lab, dedicated to exploring the Youth Guarantee initiative, was held on November 11, 2024, gathering participants from across the Western Balkans. The event, hosted via Zoom, marked the first step in a collaborative effort to strengthen youth participation in employment and policy development.
Organized under the framework of the “Regional Youth Dialogue for Europe – RYDE” project, supported by the European Union, the session was facilitated by the Network of Progressive Initiative from Sarajevo, partner organisation on the RYDE project. This initiative aims to improve dialogue between youth and institutions, foster engagement, and co-create actionable recommendations for public policies.
Highlights of the Session
The session opened with remarks from Anida Šabanović, RYDE project Project Coordinator from the Network of Progressive Initiatives (BiH), who introduced the goals and vision of the RYDE project.
Participants were then welcomed by Amela Hrasnica, Communication Manager from Europe House, who also facilitated the session.
Key presentations included:
Findings from the Comparative Analysis of Youth Policies in the Western Balkans, delivered by Hata Kujraković, shedding light on the challenges and opportunities for youth in employment across the region.
A roundtable discussion engaging participants in dynamic debates about ways to enhance youth employment opportunities, focusing on the implementation of the Youth Guarantee framework.
The session concluded with actionable recommendations and next steps, emphasizing the importance of national and regional collaboration to address youth unemployment.
Next Steps
Building on the insights from this regional session, the first National Youth Policy Lab will be held live in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo) on November 19, 2024. Participants will delve deeper into local challenges and develop targeted recommendations for institutions.
We extend our gratitude to all participants, speakers, and facilitators for their contributions to this meaningful dialogue. Together, we are fostering a platform for youth to shape policies that impact their future.
Stay tuned for updates and outcomes from the upcoming National Youth Policy Labs!
U Parlamentarnoj skupštini Bosne i Hercegovine (PSBiH) 29.10.2024. je održana tematska sjednica pod nazivom „Integracija Bosne i Hercegovine u unutrašnje, regionalno i tržište Evropske unije (EU) s posebnim osvrtom na Berlinski proces“, koju je organizirala Zajednička komisija za ekonomske reforme i razvoj PSBiH.
Uvodno izlaganje pred prisutnim članovima Zajedničke komisije, predstavnicima Vanjskotrgovinske komore BiH, te predstavnicima akademske zajednice i nevladinog sektora, podnio je novoimenovani generalni sekretar Regionalnog centra za saradnju (RCC) sa sjedištem u Sarajevu Amer Kapetanović, koji je govorio o značaju Berlinskog procesa i drugih regionalnih inicijativa, kao i Plana rasta i razvoja zemalja Zapadnog Balkana, kojeg je, s ciljem privrednog razvoja regije i uključivanja u evropsko tržište, uspostavila i promovirala EU.
Govoreći o rezultatima Berlinskog procesa, kao jedne od najvažnijih regionalnih inicijativa, Kapetanović je kao prvi važan korak spomenuo usvajanje Akcionog plana za uspostavljanje Zajedničkog regionalnog tržišta na Zapadnom Balkanu, koji je uključivao slobodu kretanja ljudi, a ne samo roba, kapitala i usluga, kao i stvaranje jedinstvenog digitalnog tržišta i zelenu tranziciju.
Kao konkretne koristi Berlinskog procesa, Kapetanović je naveo potpisivanje pet regionalnih sporazuma – sporazum o priznavanju profesionalnih kvalifikacija doktora medicine, zubara i arhitekata, profesionalnih kvalifikacija medicinskih sestara, veterinarskih hirurga, farmaceuta i babica, sporazum o priznanju visokoškolskih kvalifikacija za državne fakultete, sporazum o putovanju sa ličnim kartama i sporazum o pristupu studiranju.
Kapetanović je govorio i o RCC-u kao krovnoj regionalnoj organizaciji, koja koordinira sve druge regionalne organizacije uključene u Berlinski proces.
Upoznao je učesnike tematske sjednice i sa novom stategijom i novim pristupom EU kroz Plan rasta za Zapadni Balkan, koji, kako je naveo, ima tri strateška cilja – da značajno poveća ekonomski potencijal i tako smanji ogromnu razliku sa EU; da potakne zemlje Zapadnog Balkana da brže usvajaju reforme iz pravne stečevine EU i da se proces pridruživanja ubrza u datom geopolitičkom konktekstu.
Kao prioritetne oblasti Plana rasta Kapetanović je naveo slobodu kretanja roba, slobodu kretanja usluga i radne snage, pristup jedinstvenom sistemu plaćanja, poboljšanje putnog transporta, dekarbonizaciju energetskog tržišta, stvaranje jedinstvenog digitalnog prostora i integraciju industrijskog lanca nabavke.
Kad je o Bosni i Hercegovini riječ, Kapetanović je rekao da plan prioritetnih reformi koje treba realizirati u okviru Plana rasta podrazumijeva digitalizaciju koja bi omogućila jedinstveno unutrašnje tržište i efikasne javne usluge, razvoj privatnog sektora i poslovnog okruženja, energetski sektor i zelenu tranziciju, razvoj i očuvanje ljudskog kapitala i osnovne reforme, uključujući vladavinu prava.
Na sastanku je predsjedavajuća Zajedničke komisje za ekonomske reforme i razvoj PSBIH Ermina Salkičević – Dizdarević predstavila i izvještaj Parlamentarna diplomatija – regionalna saradnja kroz unapređeni parlamentarni dijalog, koji se može pronaći ovdje, te je isti dostavljen učesnicima tematske sjednice.
Zahvaljujući se Kapetanoviću na učešću na tematskoj sjednici i sadržajnom i korisnom uvodnom izlaganju, predsjedavajuća Zajedničke komisija za ekonomske reforme i razvoj PSBiH Ermina Salkičević – Dizdarević upozorila je na činjenicu da u Bosni i Hercegovini nema jedinstvenog ekonomskog prostora i apelirala na članove Zajedničke komisije i učesnike temetske sjednice da ulože zajednički napor s ciljem jačanja unutrašnjeg tržišta, te postizanja dogovora oko reformske agende koja prati Plan rasta, koji, kako je rečeno, predstavlja most od regionalnog ka unutrašnjem tržištu EU.
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