The second Enter: Change Forum titled “Shaping BiH’s Tomorrow: Youth Leading the Way” was concluded successfully on the 2nd of September. It brought together 16 promising young politicians from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, uniting them in Kranjska Gora to reflect on their country’s future. Representing diverse ethnic and political backgrounds, these young leaders came together to share ideas, debate solutions, and prepare a vision for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union.

The forum officially opened with inspiring addresses from distinguished guests:

• H.E. Mr Dario Novalić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Slovenia
• Mr John D. Stubbs, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Ljubljana
• Ms Nina Čepon, Executive Director of CEP
• Ms Jelka Klemenc, Head of Development Cooperation at CEP

In their opening remarks, speakers emphasised the importance of empowering youth voices, strengthening trust in institutions, and fostering political stability as essential steps towards a more inclusive and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forum facilitator Mr Adnan Ćerimagić, analyst at the European Stability Initiative, underlined the power of narratives, true or false, in shaping a country’s present and future, urging participants to take ownership of the stories that define Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Forum’s focus was on three key pillars for BiH’s tomorrow:

• European Integration – understanding the EU path & learning from best practices;
• Rule of Law & Fight Against Corruption – strengthening institutions & transparency;
• Interethnic Dialogue & Inclusive Leadership – fostering trust, cooperation & unity.

We had the pleasure of listening to experts in their respective fields, like Assoc. Prof. Dr Sabina Lange, who talked about the EU membership process, Prof. Dr Mojmir Mrak and Ms Vesna Pusić spoke about their stories with the EU negotiation process for Slovenia and Croatia; Doc. dr Faris Kočan and Prof. Dr Rok Zupančič dove deeper into Rule of Law and the importance of Interethnic dialogue in Post-conflict societies; and lastly, Mr Goran Klemenčič, former Minister of Justice and Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia, who held an anti-corruption lesson for our participants.

Our Young Bosnian leaders had the opportunity to meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Ms Marta Kos on the outskirts of the Bled Strategic Forum, where they discussed the role of youth in shaping political processes and advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective, while sharing their vision statement, prepared during the second forum.

The Participants also had the opportunity to join synergies with the Young Bled Strategic Forum and participate in their discussions, as well as attend the Bled Strategic Forum itself and listen to the insightful panels.  Before they left beautiful Bled, they had a sit-down with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr Elmedin Konaković, which led to a fruitful debate over coffee.

At the end of the forum the participant adopted a joint Resolution on Youth Vision and Recommendations for a More Effective Contribution to Democratic Governance. 

Together, we’re laying the foundations for a new generation of leaders committed to an inclusive, just, and European-oriented future.

The activities within the project Enter: Change are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships programme, and by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana.

More about the activites in the Flick gallery below: