Our story.
Sarajevo Debates began in late 2024 as a Humanity in Action Democracy Fellowship project, conceived as a response to a crucial question: How can we empower young Bosnians to shape their country's future through critical thinking and effective communication?
What started as an ambitious idea quickly evolved into a dynamic platform where young voices could develop essential skills and engage in meaningful dialogue about the challenges facing Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The first cohort
In December 2024, we welcomed our inaugural cohort of 12 passionate young Bosnians from diverse backgrounds and regions. Over four intensive months, they worked with expert mentors to develop their critical thinking, media literacy, historical understanding, and content creation skills.
The journey culminated on April 10, 2025, at our final event at Europe House in Sarajevo, where participants showcased their projects, engaged in formal debates, and participated in cross-generational dialogues with established professionals.
Our takeaways
Our first program taught us so much about the immense potential of Bosnia's youth when given the right tools and platform. We witnessed remarkable growth as participants transformed initial ideas into polished projects and confident public presentations.
We also learned the importance of flexibility, community input, and building lasting relationships between generations of thinkers and creators.
As we move beyond our pilot phase, Sarajevo Debates is evolving based on feedback from our community.
We're committed to expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and continuing to serve as a platform where young Bosnian voices can develop, connect, and be heard. This is just the beginning of our story – and we invite you to be part of what comes next.