Youth Innovation Challenge: Ideas for the Future

On International Youth Day, the UN House in Sarajevo was transformed into a stage for vision, determination, and creativity. The Live Pitch, organized as the final event of the Dialogue for the Future 3 Innovation Challenge “Ideas for the Future”, brought together young people from 10 local communities across Bosnia and Herzegovina, who had responded to a call to design and propose bold and sustainable solutions for a more cohesive and inclusive society.

It was not only a competition, but also a day of celebrating youth as drivers of progress and innovation.

Journey of ideas

The Challenge invited young people to take the time and reflect on their communities and think differently about the challenges they come across - to turn everyday problems into opportunities for change. The response was inspiring: dozens of applications poured in from across the country, each carrying a spark of creativity and a belief in a better tomorrow.

After the evaluation process, 15 of the most promising ideas advanced to the next stage. For these young changemakers, the journey was only beginning.

In Međugorje, the finalists came together for a series of workshops and mentoring sessions. They worked with experienced mentors who guided them in sharpening their concepts, strengthening their presentations, and envisioning how their ideas could resonate more deeply within their communities. These sessions were more than technical training - they were a chance to build confidence, friendships, and networks that will support the participants far beyond the Challenge.

Live Pitch: where ideas meet the spotlight

The journey culminated with the Live Pitch event, held at the UN House on 12 August, International Youth Day. With anticipation in the air, the young finalists stood before an audience of peers, mentors, and an expert jury to present their ideas.

Their pitches reflected the diversity and ingenuity of youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some projects sought to promote dialogue and positive narratives, bridging divides within their communities. Others turned to digital solutions, harnessing technology to address pressing social issues. Many tapped into the power of creativity, culture, and education, while others championed environmental protection and sustainability.

Each presentation was delivered with passion, courage, and clarity - showing not only the strength of the ideas themselves but also the determination of the young people behind them.

Recognizing creativity and vision

The awards recognized the 11 most outstanding ideas, selected through a combination of jury votes (80%) and votes from the participants themselves (20%). The expert jury included Zerina Mandžo-Čolić, Coordinator of Dialogue for the Future 3, Edin Halilović, founder and director of Lilium Digital agency, Marko-Antonio Brkić, researcher and lecturer, and Arijana Drinić, UNDP Accelerator Lab representative.

Together, they evaluated the proposals against criteria including innovation, social impact, sustainability, relevance, inclusiveness, and quality of presentation.

With a total prize fund of BAM 20,000, the Challenge rewarded the winners for their creativity, vision, and demonstrated problem-solving capacity. The financial awards were not intended to implement the projects directly, but to honor and celebrate the innovative spirit of the young participants, acknowledging the potential of their ideas to inspire wider change.

The winning ideas

The 11 awarded ideas reflected the wide range of approaches youth are taking to build stronger, more inclusive communities:

1. DAORSON – Hiking trails and active tourism by Association “Grad Sunca” Stolac  (Stolac) – creating new opportunities for youth and local communities through cultural and natural heritage tourism.

2. Living Heritage Route by Environmental Protection Association “Concordia” (Stolac) – highlighting and revitalizing local heritage as a shared space for connection.

3. Shade Under the Same Tree by Ivo Čarapina (Mostar) – a symbolic initiative fostering unity and shared community spaces.

4. Youth Assembly of Teslić by Marko Lončar (Teslić) – empowering youth participation in decision-making and civic engagement.

5. A Month Without, A Month with…  by Lamija Sarić (Tuzla) – a creative campaign and activity aimed at encouraging people to improve their lifestyle and jointly engage in social activities

6. Speak Without Fear by Jelena Madžarević (Milići) – a safe-space initiative encouraging open conversations and dialogue in the English language.

7. The Hunt for Knowledge by Ella Ljubić (Mostar) – innovative ways of making learning more engaging and accessible to youth.

8. A Second Chance for School Lunch by High School “Jovan Dučić” Doboj (Doboj) – tackling food waste through a youth-driven school initiative.

9. Mobile Library and Classroom on Wheels by Anđela and Violeta Malikanović (Milići) – bringing books and learning opportunities to children in remote areas.

10. Colorful Steps by Cultural-Artistic Society “Dušan Stanković” Čečava (Teslić) – using culture and art to bring people together.

11. Youth Outdoors, Screens Indoors! by High School “Tin Ujević” Glamoč (Glamoč) – promoting healthy lifestyles and outdoor activity by limiting screen time.

Together, these projects demonstrate the breadth of youth imagination, from environmental action and cultural heritage to education, dialogue, and social inclusion.

Youth as valuable partners in driving positive change

While the awards certainly celebrated individual ideas, the true highlight of the day was the energy in the room, the sense of possibility, and shared purpose among all present.

The Innovation Challenge reaffirmed the fact that the youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow - they are already shaping the present. Their voices, ideas, and courage are essential for building a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable Bosnia and Herzegovina for all.

On International Youth Day, their message rang clear: the future belongs to those who dare to imagine it, and young people are ready to lead the way.

Dialogue for the Future 3 – DFF3 project is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO, in cooperation with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and in partnership with the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The project is funded by the United Nations Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).