Youth of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia work together in solving problems in local communities
UNICEF's "UPSHIFT" program provides young people with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to transition from the education process to the labor market
- Bosanski/Hrvatski/Srpski
- English
The 2nd regional UPSHIFT workshop was held in Šabac, where youth from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia work together and discuss the problems they face in both countries, their key priorities and how they see initiatives to build their skills, such as UPSHIFT .
20 teams presented their projects and solutions, whilst 10 teams will receive grants for the implementation of innovative solutions in local communities.
During the workshop, the youth participants told us what they learned, why they think UPSHIFT is significant and how important it is for young people to be drivers of change in society.
"At the workshop, I learned how to define the problem, ask the right questions, how to assess at the situation from different perspectives, that is, from the perspective of those facing the problem."
"I learned how to analyze problems, find causes, consequences and profile personalities related to both the problem and the solution."
"I learned how to frame problems, analyze causes and consequences, how to come up with solutions whilst taking into account all interested stakeholders."
"UPSHIFT allows us all to work together, socialize and collaborate in solving the problems of our communities"
"Through UPSHIFT, young people have the opportunity to change what they can in their communities, to connect and meet new people and improve their communication skills and teamwork."
"UPSHIFT helps young people, especially those with social anxiety, by encouraging them to work with their peers and acquire new skills through socialising."
"Workshops like UPSHIFT are important for young people because they encourage them to venture into volunteerism and activism, which is less present among today's youth."
"Young people are the initiators of change, but they are not heard enough and they are not paid enough attention. UPSHIFT makes it possible to hear the opinions of young people and for them come up with new ideas."
"UPSHIFT offers funds and opportunities to realize the vision of young people, which would not be possible through other means and projects"
"The world and the future depend on young people, solutions start from us, through UPSHIFT we have opportunities for education and to help our communities"
"The future is in the hands of the youth, we have to learn to be serious and responsible, to have a greater desire to solve the problems we face."
"During the workshops, we learned to identify and understand problems, and how to find solutions."
"Young people have their own unique way of seeing the world, their own ideas, assessments and proposed solutions."
"It is important for young people to be initiators of change because they encourage their peers to get involved, and together they can change things."
"Young people have more influence, more time and energy to deal with certain issues in their communities than relevant formal institutions."
"UPSHIFT allows us to act together, partner with schools and municipalities to improve our communities."
"The voice of young people is not heard enough, at workshops like this we have the opportunity to be heard, and we participate in solving the problems of our communities."
"Young people are the most present in their communities in everyday life, they see problems that the others do not."
UPSHIFT helps young people get involved through interesting presentations and bring new ideas to their communities."
UPSHIFT helps build skills for adolescents and youth through workshops in which they learn about social innovation, entrepreneurship, and with mentorship and financial support develop the skills and resources needed to identify problems in local communities and find solutions to them.
The initiative is part of UNICEF's skills-building program for 16-24-year-olds, which aims to give more adolescents and young people from both countries the skills necessary to transition from education to the labor market. For both countries, it is a step closer to bridging the alarming youth unemployment rate.
