Initiating change
Amica Educa | Bosnien und Herzegowina, Tuzla
Socially disadvantaged young women with little school education have no opportunities on the labour market and are at risk of slipping into poverty. In this program led by Amica Educa, 50 young women aged between 15 and 35 years receive the training they need to become fit for the labour market.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, due to a high youth unemployment rate and unresolved war traumas taken over by children from their parents, many young people find it difficult to start their adult life. The challenges are even greater for young women from disadvantaged backgrounds who are particularly exposed to the risk of falling into dependency or being subjected to gender-specific violence in a society shaped by patriarchy. The “Start of Change” program set up by the Amica Educa association in the town of Tuzla aims at making young women fit for the labour market and empowering them to take their lives into their own hands. In addition to so-called “life skills” such as communication, conflict management or the setting of personal goals, they also learn how to search and apply for a job. Additionally, they are offered psychological support and personal coachings.
In parallel to this individual training program for young women, Amica Educa is seeking to cooperate with the private sector, as well as with public-sector institutions and other NGOs. Thanks to these activities in combination with intensive public relations work, the program gained more attention and interest with its target group, as well as with public-sector institutions, who recommended nine women for the 3rd semester of the 2024 program. The significant increase in the number of visits to Amica Educa’s website also reflects the growing interest in the associations’ offer. During the first half of the program period, 40 young women already completed the training program successfully. This means that Amica Educa’s goal of 50 women is likely to be exceeded by far.
