If budgets and policies best reflect whose needs society truly recognizes, where do young people stand today in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina — on the margins of plans or at their center?

The Second Thematic Session of the Commission for Youth Issues of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, titled “Youth and Security: Challenges and Responses in Modern Society,” opened a space for improving public policies towards youth and for enabling government institutions to act in line with the real needs of young people.

The session was held on October 22, 2025, at the Parliament of the Federation of BiH, organized by the Commission for Youth Issues of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of FBiH, in partnership with the Youth Council of the Federation of BiH, the Institute for Youth Development KULT, and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD). Its goal was to strengthen dialogue between institutions and youth, and to create the foundations for systemic changes that would provide better support to young people in the Federation of BiH.

The session brought together members of the House of Representatives and over 80 representatives of youth organizations, organizations working with youth, and umbrella youth bodies from across the Federation. The discussion focused on six key thematic areas: activism, volunteering and investment in youth; safety and security; social care; housing; employment; and youth health.

Participants emphasized the need to establish a functional and sustainable system of youth support, one that recognizes their needs and interests across all sectors — from education, employment, and housing, to social protection and health. It was highlighted that the position of youth in the Federation can be improved only if institutions take responsibility and ensure coordinated action at all levels of government.

A particular focus of the session was on budget allocations for youth as a measurable indicator of institutional support and priorities. In this context, Irma Rešidović, Secretary General of the Youth Council of the Federation of BiH, presented the Analysis of Budget Allocations for Youth in the Federation of BiH (2022–2024) — the first comprehensive overview of public investments in youth programs and projects at the federal and cantonal levels. The analysis revealed that allocations for youth account for less than 0.1% of the total budget of the Federation of BiH, with significant disparities among cantons and types of organizations.

Discussions reaffirmed the need to elevate youth policy in the Federation of BiH to a higher institutional level, with clearly defined obligations, standards, and institutional frameworks, as well as continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effects of public policies on youth. Participants underscored the importance of strategic planning, transparent budgeting, and participatory decision-making as essential prerequisites for improving the position of young people.

Based on the proposals presented, the Commission for Youth Issues adopted Conclusions and Recommendations to be submitted to the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of BiH for consideration and adoption. These conclusions represent a set of concrete guidelines for the Government of the Federation of BiH, relevant ministries, and cantonal governments, focusing on the key areas of youth policy discussed during the session. The adopted conclusions mark an important step toward systemic support for youth and send a clear message that youth issues must be treated as a development priority of the Federation of BiH.

The session resulted in a total of 41 conclusions and 21 recommendations detailing the obligations and measures for improving the position of youth. The full text of the conclusions and recommendations is available at: www.vijecemladih.ba