Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adebayo Babajide, visited EU-supported projects in Bihać today, seeing firsthand how EU investments are strengthening education, inclusion, social cohesion and community infrastructure across Una-Sana canton. In Bihać, these investments are delivering benefits for students, young people and local communities, and include support to the Faculty of Pedagogy, the Faculty of Technical Engineering of the University of Bihać, and the Sports and Recreation Centre “Jedinstvo” / NK Jedinstvo Bihać.
The projects respond to specific needs identified by local institutions and partners, while giving young people and other members of the community better opportunities to learn, participate and use shared spaces. At the Faculty of Pedagogy, activities were presented under the project “Supporting Social Cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Communities”, which the EU supported with more than 30.000KM, which brought together students and professors with unaccompanied young people accommodated at TRC Lipa, through eight educational, creative and sports workshops reaching 118 participants.
“Supporting unaccompanied minors accommodated at TRC Lipa, alongside students and professors from the Faculty of Pedagogy, means creating the conditions for every young person to learn, participate and thrive, regardless of the path that brought them here. Investing in inclusive education, youth protection and opportunities for meaningful participation is essential to shaping a country where every young person can learn, feel safe and reach their full potential. By supporting these opportunities, we are helping unaccompanied minors and their peers become active contributors to more cohesive and resilient communities, and to a Bosnia and Herzegovina where no one is left behind. These are values at the heart of the European Union and an important part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European path,” said Adebayo Babajide, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the Faculty of Technical Engineering, the delegation visited newly renovated classrooms and saw equipment provided through the project OPEN DOORS OPEN MINDS: Educating, Embracing and Social Cohesion at Technical Education. EU support of more than 76.000 KM investment covered renovation works and modern equipment for practical learning in IT, engineering modelling, virtual learning, textile design and creative production.
“By improving classrooms and equipping them with modern tools for practical learning, this support has created a more inspiring and functional environment for our students. It enables them to develop skills in areas such as IT, engineering modelling, virtual learning, textile design and creative production, while also opening new opportunities for cooperation between the Faculty, students and the wider community,” stated Damir Hodžić, Dean of the Faculty of Technical Engineering at the University of Bihać.
The delegation also visited NK Jedinstvo Bihać / Sports and Recreation Centre “Jedinstvo”, where infrastructure improvements include upgrades to the stadium and the construction of a multifunctional pitch. These upgrades will create more opportunities for young people and the wider community to engage in sports and recreational activities.
“Together, the two initiatives on NK Jedinstvo stadium, with a combined value of BAM 208,330.60, reflect the continued commitment of the European Union and local partners to supporting communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina through practical investments that respond to local needs and create lasting benefits for students, young people and the wider community,” said Elvedin Sedić, Mayor of the City of Bihać.
The visit concluded with discussions with faculty representatives, local authorities and project partners on the sustainability of the supported activities and their expected long-term impact for students, young people, vulnerable groups and the wider Bihać community.
