- Young People in Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Our Values
- About Bosnia and Herzegovina
Young People in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) are like young people everywhere, but they are living in an environment which is facing particular challenges.
Unemployment in Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the most important issues for young people. According to the latest Bosnian government statistics, more than 517,000 people are out of work (in a growing population of just over 4 million). Most of these are Bosnian youth. The economy is slowly improving but jobs are still few; many are living in poverty.
The education system in Bosnia and Herzegovina has not fully adjusted to meet market needs, and many young people are disatissfied with it. Schools still follow ethnic curriculums, making it hard for minorities to integrate, and keeping young people segregated from each other. When young people finish school, they are unable to find jobs, leading to discouragement, apathy and social exclusion. Lack of work is also the main reason why many young people in BiH want to leave the country.
Through our year-round ministry, we get alongside young people and invest in them, offering opportunities and a safe environment in which to express themselves and make friends with others from different backgrounds. In a small but positive step, the Novi Most work experience programme is also helping to give hope to young people in Mostar and Capljina.
The country is beautiful and so are the people, but it is under-resourced and its political leaders seem bound to entrenched agendas which are stifling progress. There has been some development in recent years, as the country moves towards joining the EU. Lately, however, the political situation has been unsettling.