On 18 September 2026, the “Future is the EU” campaign continued in Neum, bringing young people together to discuss the opportunities they need to build their future in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to share their views on the country’s European future.
The event brought together members of the EU Youth Advisory Board, Young European Ambassadors and other young people. The discussion focused in particular on education and jobs of the future, one of the five priorities identified by young people in the Joint Youth Declaration on the European Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“Young people are telling us very clearly that they want opportunities to learn, work and build their future in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also want a society where everyone has equal opportunities, where people feel safe and respected, and where differences can bring people closer together. These are important aspirations, and the European Union will continue to support young people in making their voices heard and taking part in shaping their country’s future,” said Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Luigi Soreca.
For Aid Omeragić, member of the EU Youth Advisory Board, education and jobs of the future are closely linked to whether young people can see a future for themselves in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“For me, this priority means stability and hope. I was born in a small community near the border with a neighbouring country, and year after year I see more and more of my peers leaving Bosnia and Herzegovina. They leave because better education, universities and job opportunities are often closer and more accessible across the border. That is why, for me, education and jobs of the future are not only about better universities or creating new jobs. It is about creating a society where a young person has a reason to stay, to get an education, gain new experiences, develop their skills and believe that they can build their future here,” said Aid Omeragić.
Dejan Ilić, member of the EU Youth Advisory Board, highlighted the importance of active participation of young people in the country.
“Through working with young people, I have become convinced of the importance of their genuine involvement in the processes and decisions that affect them. That is why I believe young people from all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina should play an active role in the country’s path toward the European Union, as it is our generation that will live with the consequences of the decisions being made today,” said Dejan Ilić.
The campaign builds on the Joint Youth Declaration on the European Future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, developed by 80 young people from across the country following a Youth Summit held in May. The Declaration sets out their priorities across five areas: democracy, rule of law and public policies; social cohesion and peacebuilding; education and jobs of the future; a just energy transition; and media and information literacy.
The Declaration was presented to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas during her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina earlier this year. Through “Future is the EU”, these priorities are now being brought into conversations with more young people across the country.
In Neum, young people could learn more about the Declaration and share their own ideas, while messages collected in Mostar were transformed into a live graffiti wall. The event also featured a VR experience, music, a photobooth and other interactive activities, with actors and content creators Kerim Čutuna and Goran Popović leading the conversation with young people.
Through “Future is the EU”, the European Union is supporting a wider conversation with young people across Bosnia and Herzegovina about the future they want to see and the opportunities they need to build it. The campaign continues to provide space for young people to share their ideas, priorities and expectations for the country’s European future.
