From 10 to 14 November 2025, Sarajevo became a regional hub of ideas, collaboration, and youthful energy. The regional UPSHIFT workshop was held at Hotel Hollywood as part of the Erasmus+ project “UPSHIFT Impact: Strengthening Social Change Through Youth Initiatives”, funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. This five-day event brought together more than one hundred participants and mentors from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Albania, and North Macedonia — all committed to contributing to positive change in their communities through their ideas.

Official Opening and Messages of Support for Youth

The workshop was officially opened by Mr. Marc Lucet, Head of the UNICEF Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who told participants on 11 November that they are the very leaders of change the region needs. Mr. Suad Muhibić, Director of the National Erasmus+ Office in BiH, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and empowering young people to become key actors in social development.

These messages of support set a strong tone for the start of the workshop — making it clear that young people are at the heart of the UPSHIFT methodology and its most valuable resource.

UPSHIFT Methodology: Youth as Solution Creators

Throughout the intensive five-day program, participants went through the full Design Thinking process, guided by the principles of the UPSHIFT methodology developed by UNICEF and partners. With the support of experienced trainers and mentors, young people:

• analyzed problems in their communities

• mapped target groups and key stakeholders

• generated ideas through structured brainstorming

• created initial prototypes

• tested solutions and prepared final presentations

The goal of this process was clear: to develop practical, inclusive, and socially beneficial solutions that promote social cohesion, inclusion, and peace.

Presented Projects and Winning Teams

After project presentations before the evaluation panel, teams were selected to receive grants and continue their development journey with additional mentoring support.

Grant recipients:

North Macedonia
   – EcoFlame
– GREEN POINTS

Albania
   – Spark group Sarajevo
– Echoof1001

Croatia
   – Mali Princ
– CPUZ Zadar

Bosnia and Herzegovina
   – Hear us
– RiseLab

These teams demonstrated exceptional creativity, social empathy, and innovation. Their projects address topics ranging from ecology and sustainable development to mental health, inclusion, community communication, and support for vulnerable groups.

The project “UPSHIFT Impact: Strengthening Social Change Through Youth Initiatives” is implemented by a consortium led by Genesis Project, with partners LEAD MK, HERMES, and Nisma ARSIS, and co-funded by the European Union through Erasmus+. Its goal is to strengthen the capacities of young people across the region through education, mentorship, innovation development, and promoting social engagement.

UPSHIFT as a Platform That Changes Perspectives

The regional UPSHIFT workshop in Sarajevo once again demonstrated how ready, capable, and motivated young people are to create solutions for a better future. In an environment of collaboration, learning, and intercultural exchange, ideas were developed that have the potential to directly improve the quality of life in participants’ communities.

The end of the workshop does not mark the end of their journey — on the contrary, this is just the beginning. The winning teams now enter the next phase of developing their projects, supported by mentors and partner organizations.

UPSHIFT continues to grow, inspire, and encourage young people to believe in their ideas and become the drivers of change the region needs.