Youth Leadership program – Young leaders for better future

Fellow Name:

Lejla Hasandedic

Country:

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Description

The Youth Leadership Programme was implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with Youth for Peace and with support from the United Religions Initiative (USA). Running from February to October 2016, the initiative formed part of the broader Youth Ambassador Programme, which aimed to equip young people with the skills and capacity to become leaders and agents of positive change within their communities.

The project focused on engaging youth from smaller, often divided communities in a post-conflict context, where social and political complexities continued to shape everyday life. By addressing persistent stereotypes, prejudices, and divisions, the programme sought to foster understanding, resilience, and leadership among young participants, empowering them to contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion.

The programme brought together 11 youth participants from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by 15 experienced trainers and young leaders specializing in interfaith dialogue and peacebuilding. With additional guidance from international partners and experts from the United States, the initiative provided a strong support system for participants as they developed the skills needed to become future leaders, peacebuilders, and change-makers in their communities.

Main aims

  1. To help young people to overcome their stereotypes, prejudices and to become leaders, change makers and peace builders
  2. To promote peace, interfaith and intercultural dialogue and  understanding.
  3. Make positive changes in local community
  4. Promote importance of peer to peer education

Project implementation

The project began with a careful selection process to identify young participants based on their experience, location, age, gender, and national and religious backgrounds. A combination of questionnaires and interviews was used to ensure a diverse group, with a particular focus on including youth from smaller, divided communities across the country.

The programme officially launched with an initial meeting in February 2016, followed by two intensive training sessions held from 4–6 March and 21–24 April. During these trainings, participants developed key competencies in leadership, social skills, interfaith engagement, and nonviolent communication, while also discussing challenges within their local communities.

In May, each youth ambassador was paired with an experienced mentor to provide ongoing guidance and support. Through this mentorship, alongside continued input from international partners, participants worked on developing project ideas aimed at addressing local issues and promoting interfaith dialogue. Selected projects received small grants and support for implementation, with a deadline set for October 2016.

Overall, the initiative aimed to equip young leaders with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to drive positive change, resulting in impactful community-based projects and strengthened interfaith cooperation at the local level.

Partners

  • United Religions Initiative 
  • Youth for Peace