Regional initiatives boost youth entrepreneurship and community projects in BiH and Croatia

Various regional initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia are providing financial support to youth and local communities to foster economic growth and social stability.

In Bosanska Krupa, four young entrepreneurs received 6,000 KM each through the Blue Grants program, a joint effort by the City of Bosanska Krupa and the Mozaik Foundation. The total investment of 24,000 KM aims to fund equipment and business development for entities including Resin Vanesa, Rez Lab, Foto Avdagić, and DevilDog Bladesmithing. Additionally, the Tuzla Canton is launching the ‘Youth in Business’ program in collaboration with the Impakt Investment Foundation, MI-BOSPO, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to provide training and mentorship.

In Croatia, the government has signed 600 contracts worth nearly 36 million euros to support projects for Croats living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These funds target social development, infrastructure, and improving the quality of life to encourage community stability. In Kupres, 730,000 KM was secured for projects including a new fire station, a sports hall, and a vehicle for social services. Meanwhile, the city of Zabok has allocated 2,700 euros for a participatory budget to fund creative ideas proposed by local youth.