Student networks unite in Sarajevo to shape Bosnia’s EU future
Representatives of 12 international student and youth organizations and networks active in Bosnia and Herzegovina gathered in Sarajevo for the first "Students on the Move" dialogue, dedicated to strengthening strategic student advocacy, financial sustainability, and increasing the visibility of youth-led structures. The event was organized by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of broader support for youth engagement, mobility, and democratic participation.
The dialogue brought together young leaders from student and high school networks, including AIESEC, EESTEC, ELSA, BOHEMSA, BEST, AEGEE, ASPPF, ONAuBiH, YEA, EPSA, ASuBiH, and the Star Study platform. The goal was to develop a common framework for joint representation and institutional advocacy in the field of mobility, as well as to strengthen their role in the European integration process of Bosnia and Herzegovina, CE Report quotes FENA.
During the three-day program, participants took part in a series of practical workshops on financial planning, mapping relevant stakeholders, and developing a communication strategy. The dialogue resulted in the formulation of a unique action plan and a strategic roadmap for cooperation and advocacy, according to a statement from the EU Delegation to BiH.
"We are pleased to support youth organizations in gaining knowledge and skills, and in exchanging best practices. Young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment, knowledge, and creativity to bring about change, but they also need support to turn their ideas into lasting results and to enable constructive dialogue with relevant institutions. The voice of youth matters, and supporting these organizations means giving a platform to a new generation of leaders who will have an active role in shaping the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward the European Union," said Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communications and spokesperson for the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Participants worked in groups to define key financial needs, such as membership fees and participation costs in European bodies, identified challenges in cooperation with educational institutions, and explored opportunities for strengthening partnerships with ministries, universities, and the EU in BiH.
"Our organizations are doing significant work on the ground, but we need tools and resources to maintain quality. This event gave us structure, contacts, and the confidence to take the next steps as a collective," said Aida Fetić from BEST Mostar.
The program included team-building and networking activities on the first day, while the second and third days were dedicated to structured sessions on advocacy tools, funding frameworks, and institutional dialogue. The dialogue will continue in September, after a series of meetings with relevant stakeholders, when the group will present joint recommendations to competent institutions.
"This is just the beginning. The ideas shared here—from improving student mobility to better institutional support—are key to shaping a more inclusive and participatory system of higher and secondary education in Bosnia and Herzegovina," said Filip Lakić of EESTEC LC Tuzla.
The event is part of the European Union's broader effort to support youth dialogue and civic participation, as well as to promote inclusive and transparent policymaking in line with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European integration process, the statement said.
