Before going to the 12th European Geography Olympiad (EGEO 2026), the Minister of Education of Sarajevo Canton Naida Hota-Muminović hosted a reception for students and team leaders who will represent Bosnia and Herzegovina at this prestigious international competition.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be represented at the European Geography Olympiad, which will be held from June 27 to July 3 in Varna, Bulgaria, by students Ensar Čehić from the Secondary School Center “Ilijaš”, Azer Terzić from the Third High School Sarajevo, Muris Čerkez and Faris Turčalo from the Second High School and Asija Holjan from the “Second Primary School” Hrasnica. The delegation from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be led by team leaders Anesa Smailhodžić and Fahrudin Bičo, announced the Sarajevo Canton Public Relations Service.
The announcement states that Minister Hota-Muminović pointed out that the Ministry of Education continuously supports the excellence and participation of students in international competitions, and that these kinds of successes are the best confirmation of the quality of the work of students and their teachers.
“Our students are the best ambassadors of Canton Sarajevo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are proud of their results, but equally proud of the opportunity to present their knowledge, experiences and values to their peers from all over the world. Geography deals with topics that are extremely important today, from sustainable development to understanding contemporary social and natural processes, which is why I believe that these experiences will be valuable for their further development,” Minister Hota-Muminović said.
Speaking about the importance of the Olympiad, team leader Fahrudin Bičo pointed out that it gives students the opportunity not only to show their knowledge, but also to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in an international environment.
The European Geography Olympiad is a festival of knowledge, excellence and promotion of the country. In addition to the competitive part, we have the opportunity to present BiH, its natural beauty, culture and identity, while students develop knowledge and skills important for understanding the modern world through field work, research and solving specific problems. This is precisely why the support of the Ministry and other institutions has a special significance for students and teachers – said Bičo.
Student Muris Čerkez, last year’s bronze medal winner at the European Geography Olympiad, pointed out that this competition provides young people with the opportunity to gain new knowledge, international experiences and contacts, but also shows the importance of geography as a science that deals with topics such as climate change, environmental protection, spatial management and sustainable development.
This year, the Ministry financially supports students’ participation in international geography competitions. 6,600 BAM was approved for the European Geography Olympiad, while an additional 5,365 BAM was provided for the participation of students in the International Geography Olympiad (iGeo), which will be held in August this year. Last year, the Ministry provided BAM 10,050 for the participation of students from Sarajevo Canton in the European Geography Olympiad, continuing the continuity of investment in excellence and international affirmation of students, it was announced.
