When Adi first joined the Youth Council in Živinice, he wasn’t sure his voice mattered.

Like many young people in his community, he was used to decisions being made elsewhere—by adults, by institutions, by people who rarely asked what youth actually needed. Public spaces felt neglected, opportunities limited, and the idea of initiating change seemed distant. “We had ideas,” he recalls, “but no real sense that anyone would take them seriously.”

Feeling Overlooked: Youth Voices in the Shadows

That began to change when Adi and a group of his peers became involved in the Youth Council, supported through the Tuzla Community Foundation’s youth engagement programs. What started as a simple meeting space quickly evolved into something much more meaningful: a platform for dialogue, action, and ownership.

For the first time, Adi and his peers were encouraged to identify the issues that affected them directly. They spoke about the lack of safe and creative spaces for young people, about the absence of cultural and educational activities, and about the feeling of being overlooked in local decision-making processes. But unlike before, these conversations did not end there.

With mentorship and guidance, the group began shaping their ideas into concrete initiatives. They learned how to define problems, set objectives, and develop project proposals. The process was new—and at times challenging—but it was also empowering.

“At first, we thought that support for the project was the most important thing for us, but the encouragement and enthusiasm we encountered, from the first initiative to the actual realization, was truly amazing and motivating. Then we realized that there is still hope and opportunity, we just need to seize it.”

More than space

Their first project focused on revitalizing a neglected public space frequently used by young people. What had once been an underutilized area became a vibrant place for gathering, creativity, and community events. The transformation was visible, but the deeper change was less tangible and far more significant.

A similar story unfolded in Lukavac, where another group of young people came together through the local Youth Council. Initially hesitant and unsure of their role, they gradually grew into a confident and proactive network. Through supported projects, they organized workshops, community events, and initiatives that addressed issues ranging from youth inclusion to local engagement.

For many of them, this was the first time they had taken on such responsibility. They learned how to work as a team, how to communicate with local authorities, and how to manage resources effectively. More importantly, they began to see themselves differently—not just as participants, but as contributors.

Taking the lead

What connects these stories is not just the projects themselves, but the process behind them. Through continuous support—both financial and mentorship-based—young people were given the tools to turn their ideas into action. They were trusted to lead, encouraged to experiment, and supported when challenges arose.

This approach has had a lasting impact. Many of the young people involved have continued their engagement beyond their initial projects. Some have taken on mentoring roles, helping new participants navigate the same journey they once began. Others have remained active in local initiatives, contributing to a growing culture of youth participation.

The ripple effects are visible across their communities. Public spaces are more vibrant, opportunities for youth engagement are expanding, and communication between young people and local institutions is easily improving. Perhaps most importantly, there is a growing sense of ownership—a belief among young people that they have both the right and the ability to shape their surroundings.

Empowered to Act

For Adi, the experience has been transformative. "The difference between the work of a youth organization and a Youth Council is that there is a clear legal distinction, which actually made things easier and opened up opportunities for all youth organizations in our city. Local authorities not only approved our idea, but also came to our aid in record time, emphasizing that it made it easier for them to comply with the law when it comes to supporting young people. After all, rights will never come by themselves—we must actively seek the right to opportunity and better conditions. The establishment of the Youth Council has also made communication with the city administration easier, as they now take the youth movement more seriously and have opened up opportunities to increase the budget for youth projects."

His story, and the stories of many others in Živinice and Lukavac, illustrate the deeper impact of sustained investment in youth. With the right support, young people move from passivity to participation, from uncertainty to confidence, and from ideas to action.

These are not isolated successes. They are part of a broader shift—one in which young people are no longer waiting for change but actively creating it. At the same time, it explains that the Tuzla Community Foundation’s work stands as a powerful example of how targeted, community-based investment in youth can generate sustainable impact. By nurturing local potential, supporting grassroots initiatives, and strengthening civic engagement, the Foundation is not only addressing immediate needs, but also contributing to long-term social resilience.