With a closing event and announcement of the winning student team, the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the completion of another edition of the Generation Change programme, which in the past year brought together more than 500 students from eight public universities across Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss and creatively reflect on the country’s path towards the European Union.
Throughout the year, a range of activities were organised, starting with discussions at universities involving students from Bihać, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Mostar, Zenica, East Sarajevo and Tuzla, as well as the Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Luigi Soreca and Ambassadors of EU Member States. This was followed by the GenChange BootCamp, where 32 selected students continued to represent their faculties in the competition to win a study trip to visit Brussels.
“The ideas, collaboration and friendships developed through Generation Change resulted in a creative campaign that inspired people across BiH to vote, share and support their favourite videos on social media. The content reached audiences far beyond the programme itself, because these young people managed to tell authentic stories about BiH and the EU that resonated with people. This demonstrates that when young people are given a platform and a voice, they can spark conversations, build connections and inspire positive engagement on issues that matter for the European future of this country,” said Luigi Soreca,the Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH.
“While working on the videos with students from other universities, we had the opportunity to bring together different experiences and perspectives of young people from across Bosnia and Herzegovina. This diversity was precisely our greatest strength, and it showed us how much we can achieve when we work together,” said Anja Đukić, a student from Banja Luka
The final stage of the programme, resulted in production of 4 videos which had over 4 million views on social media by portraying different stories about the deep connections between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union.
“I would like to congratulate all teams on the wonderful work we presented tonight. Of course, I am especially proud of my team and I am so happy that we won. All videos were really good but I believe that ours has a message everybody could recognise and support. Food is unique language that connects all of us. We are so much excited about travel to Brussels. It will be opportunity for us to see on the spot what European Union represents and does.” stated Amar Hasanović from Tuzla.
In recognition of their outstanding efforts, the best-performing team, consisted out of 8 students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Tuzla and the Faculty of Economics, University of Banja Luka has been awarded with a study trip to Brussels, where students will have the opportunity to present their work and gain valuable insights into the functioning of the European Union.
