Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation is an independent development organization that is building capacity in over thirty countries throughout the world. Helvetas brings real change in the lives of over three million disadvantaged people every year. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Helvetas implements the MarketMakers project, and since August 2018 the new economic development project “Moja Budućnost” (My Future). The project is supported by Medicor Foundation and Hilti Foundation from Liechtenstein.

According to the World Bank data, Bosnia and Herzegovina is the country with second-highest youth unemployment in the world – 54,9% of young women and men under the age of 30 are unemployed. Current systems in the country fail to suffice with decent economic opportunities for young people, very often further hampering their chances through the education system that is not tailored to current nor future labor market needs. Unfortunately, many young women and men see emigration in more developed European countries as the only solution, which causes unforeseeable socio-economic but also cultural and demographic damage to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Moja Budućnost project aims to contribute to improving economic opportunities and employability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially for young people. Their approach is based on the development of business opportunities at the local level and the improvement of processes and practices in the field of secondary vocational education and training. Furthermore, the focus is on adult training and education that is in line with the labor market needs. In its first phase, the project will implement interventions primarily in the Herzegovina region, specifically in three administrative units of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Herzegovina-Neretva and West Herzegovina Canton and Republika Srpska entity. Certainly, attention will also be paid to utilizing synergy effects between these and other regions.

It is our great pleasure to announce the establishment of cooperation with the project "Moja Budućnost." Together with people working on this project, we will choose interesting entrepreneurial ideas, which will have the opportunity to present their companies at a fair in Zurich, Switzerland, with the goal of finding investors. For more information on cooperation and how to apply for participation at the Zurich Fair, subscribe to our newsletter.