The Youth Commission of the Assembly of Zenica-Doboj Canton held today the 12th thematic session entitled “Position and perspective of youth in Zenica-Doboj Canton – From measures to real changes”, where the key challenges faced by young people were considered, including employment, self-employment, housing, mental health and youth organizing.
The Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić, said that the youth issue must be at the center of all policies implemented by the Government and the ZDK Assembly, and announced additional support through the programs of line ministries, especially the Ministry of Economy.
– We want young people who have quality business ideas and want to invest to have an advantage through the point system of public calls. We must create an environment in which young people will see their future right here, in the Zenica-Doboj canton and in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Pivić said.
He emphasized that significant budget funds are allocated for education, pointing out that more than a third of the cantonal budget through the Ministry of Education goes to this area, while more than 20 million KM is allocated annually for higher education.
Chairman of the ZDK Assembly Ćazim Huskić said that institutions must not be silent observers of the departure of young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
– It is our duty to create conditions in which young people will want to stay, work and build their future in the Zenica-Doboj Canton and Bosnia and Herzegovina through laws, conclusions and partnership with the executive authority – said Huskić.
Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić pointed out that a strong economy is the key to retaining young people and reminded that the Ministry of Economy gives additional points to young entrepreneurs through incentive programs.
– We are particularly proud of the development of the network of IT HUBs and the launch of the IT academy, through which we want to enable young people to acquire modern knowledge and be competitive on the domestic and global labor market – said Šibonjić.
The Chairman of the Commission for Youth Eniz Patković emphasized that the topics of the session were determined based on the needs highlighted by the youth themselves, while the representative of the Institute for Youth Development KULT Nevio Bruck warned that employment, housing independence, health and social protection and mental health are among the biggest challenges for the young generation.
During the session, the results of the IT infrastructure development project at ZDK were also presented. The project manager of the Regional Development Agency REZ Kenan Kesić stated that IT HUBs have already been established in Zenica, Zavidovići and Maglaj, while one will soon be opened in Kakanj. He also announced education in the field of artificial intelligence, which will be available to employed and unemployed young people from September.
The thematic session brought together representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, institutions, development agencies and organizations that work with young people, with the aim of defining concrete measures to improve the position of young people in the Zenica-Doboj Canton.
