Bilal Kovačević is President of the Association for Children and Youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina “Iuventus”, where he leads initiatives focused on supporting children and young people, with a particular emphasis on those growing up or transitioning from alternative care. Through his work, he advocates for their empowerment, independent living, education, employment opportunities, and social inclusion. He also collaborates with national and international partners on projects that promote the rights and opportunities of young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
My journey began as a child growing up in the social protection system of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Like many others, I experienced firsthand how decisions about my life were made without me. My needs were often discussed, but my voice was rarely heard.
Participation in the youth network meetings organized by Hope and Homes for Children was a turning point for me.
For the first time, I felt what it truly means when young people are not only given the chance to speak, but are genuinely listened to. Those encounters helped me realize that my experiences were not just individual, but in fact part of a broader systemic problem.
From Network to IUVENTUS
What began as an informal gathering of young people sharing their experiences, eventually grew into a structured initiative. We realized that it was time to move from words to action – from participants to drivers of change.
That journey was not easy. One of the biggest challenges was building trust. Many young people had already lost faith that their participation could lead to real change. At the same time, institutions were often not ready to see us as equal partners in decision-making. In addition, limited resources made the development and sustainability of the initiative even more difficult in its early stages.
However, thanks to persistence, unity , a clear vision, and the strong support of Hope and Homes for Children, we continued building our community step by step. This is how IUVENTUS was born – an organization led by young people with care experience, determined to ensure that our participation in decision-making is not just symbolic, but a true force for change.
What Does IUVENTUS Do?
IUVENTUS supports young people from the care system through a combination of advocacy, direct support, and community building.
Our work includes:
- Educational and development programs
- Support for young people in their transition to independence
- Advocacy for policies that include young people as active participants
We place special emphasis on mentorship. Through our mentoring program, young people receive stable and continuous support during one of the most sensitive periods of their lives – leaving the care system. Mentorship provides not only practical guidance but also a sense of security, trust, and belonging.
As a result of our work in this field, we will soon publish a publication on the mentoring program, with the aim of sharing the knowledge, experiences, and models whose application is universal.
We are also working on establishing a Care Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as part of a global movement that draws attention to young people from the care system. The goal of this initiative is to increase visibility, break stereotypes, and create space for the authentic voices of young people.
Making Youth Participation Meaningful: Lessons from IUVENTUS
One of the most important lessons from our work is that participation must not remain at the level of formality. Too often, young people are invited to share their opinions only after decisions have already been made.
If we want real change, young people must be involved from the very beginning – not only heard, but recognized as equal partners in the decision-making process.
Recommendations for Future Work
The support we received from HHC was crucial for the establishment of our association and for greater involvement of young people in decisions affecting their future. I would especially highlight the mentorship aspect of this support, where we had the space, tolerance, and understanding to develop at a pace that suited our abilities and aspirations.
We felt respect and equal treatment, which gave us the confidence to build the initiative on strong foundations – and the fact that we still exist, after six years, shows how solid those foundations were. This kind of support, based on trust and equality, is enough for any group of young people to grow, develop, and become a driver of real change.
There are several key steps that can ensure young people truly have a voice with real impact:
- Invest in long-term relationships with young people, not just one-time consultations
- Ensure real roles and responsibilities, not symbolic participation
- Provide continuous support through mentorship, capacity-building, and resources
- Involve young people in decision-making from the very beginning
Young people already have knowledge, experience, and ideas. What they need is trust and the chance to turn them into concrete results.
From Youth Participation to Systemic Change
Today, IUVENTUS stands as proof that change begins when young people are given the opportunity to be more than participants – to become agents of change.
What started as a small initiative has grown into a serious organization that supports young people and actively contributes to systemic change.
The conclusion is simple:
When young people are truly trusted and given the space and opportunity, change is not only possible – it is inevitable.
