A campaign that changes a community must be visible, well-planned, and clearly focused on its goal - this was one of the key messages of the training “Leading Public Campaigns”, held in Sarajevo as part of the Proactive Citizens (PRAGG) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The training brought together representatives of civil society organizations and informal groups from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the aim of empowering them to independently plan and implement campaigns that encourage greater citizen engagement and promote more transparent institutional work.

During the two-day workshop, participants from Tuzla, Zavidovići, Vitez, Konjic, Livno, Travnik, Bratunac, and Banja Luka worked through interactive and practical exercises, developing drafts of their own campaigns. They learned how to identify social problems, define goals, recognize key decision-makers, and develop strategies to mobilize community support.

As emphasized during the training, a successful campaign must be public, organized, and directed toward a specific goal, because “anything that isn’t communicated publicly is often perceived as if it never happened.”

“The training on leading public campaigns was concrete, dynamic, and very useful. What I liked most was that we worked on real examples and immediately connected them to our own ideas. Everything was clear, practical, and applicable,” said Adis Kriko from the informal group Local Talent Club Zenica.
He added that it was particularly valuable to learn how to design a campaign that attracts attention and leaves a memorable message.

Participants confirmed that this training opened up new perspectives on how local initiatives can become more visible and recognizable, as well as how crucial precise planning, good promotion, and a clear message are for success.

This training represents an important step in strengthening the capacities of organizations and groups operating within the PRAGG framework and contributes to the development of active citizenship and participatory democracy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.