Successful First National Policy Lab on Youth Employment

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!