In today’s dynamic world, where the needs of organizations and communities are constantly evolving, continuous learning and development are key to success. The job shadowing program, initiated by the Institute for Youth Development KULT—one of the local implementers of the PRAGG project—has proven to be a powerful tool for professional and organizational development, empowering non-governmental organizations and their teams.

Today, the Institute was visited by representatives of the Lara Foundation from Bijeljina. This visit provided an excellent opportunity for both sides to gain new knowledge through conversation and experience exchange, enriching their future work.

“Job shadowing is a very interesting concept for a visit—we haven’t had the chance to experience anything like this before. We saw many new things, but also recognized that we are already doing a lot of things well. From today’s visit, we’ll be able to apply some procedures in our own work”, said Ljilja Lukić, Project Coordinator.

Collaborating and sharing experiences through this type of exchange highlights the importance of knowledge transfer and mutual learning among organizations. These encounters help build stronger ties between organizations and directly contribute to the mission of empowering the civil sector.

“We felt very welcomed. The sessions rotated and weren’t too long. The focus was on exchanging experiences, and we truly learned from each other”, said Nataša Kurtuma, Office Manager, and Slađana Milovanović, Legal Advisor.

“The visit was very interesting and innovative. As someone working in finance, I saw many things I liked and could apply”, added Danijela Gavrić, Financial Manager.

The job shadowing program is intended for employees and key team members of NGOs that have an approved Capacity Strengthening Plan or Strategy. The aim of the program is to enable them to gain new skills and knowledge through practical experience and observing the work of other organizations. This process provides a unique opportunity for hands-on learning in a real work environment, helping participants better understand challenges and workflows in other organizations. This directly contributes to their professional growth and strengthens their organizations.

Learning through practice and experience is often the most effective way to gain new competencies. Job shadowing offers exactly that—a chance to acquire skills through direct observation and collaboration that employees can later apply in their daily work. Furthermore, this program is a step forward in fostering better cooperation among organizations.

Job shadowing is not just a single visit, gathering, or meeting. It is a process that connects people, ideas, and experiences.

The Lara Foundation is a partner organization actively participating in the capacity building program through the PRAGG project, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by a consortium consisting of HELVETAS and NIRAS in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with local organizations: the Centers for Civic Initiatives (CCI) and the Institute for Youth Development KULT.

You can read more about the job shadowing concept [HERE], and for additional information, you can contact us via email at selma.sljivo@mladi.org.