In a world where young people often face the barrier of “lack of experience” when looking for a job, the project “Not Neat to be NEET” offered a concrete solution. Through an innovative Job Shadowing program, five young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina received the opportunity to step out of the confines of theory and enter the real professional world through internships and volunteering.
This project, implemented by the Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Mostar, aims to strengthen the capacities of youth organizations to become truly inclusive. The focus is clear: to empower young people with fewer opportunities, develop their competences through active participation and volunteering, and pave their way toward employment and social integration.
More Than Just an Internship: What Did the Youth Actually Do?
Throughout the Job Shadowing program, participants were involved in a wide range of practical activities related to youth work and organizational operations, including:
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Project Management: From writing project proposals and stakeholder analysis to budgeting and monitoring planning.
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Event Organization: Direct participation in organizing humanitarian concerts and exhibitions, communicating with sponsors, video production, and moderation.
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Inclusive Work: Workshop facilitation and providing support to children and youth with developmental disabilities.
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Organizational Culture: Introduction to internal policies, daily briefings with mentors, and active participation in team meetings.
Faces of Change: Five Success Stories
Jelena Mihić: A Bridge Between Theory and Reality
For Jelena Mihić, participating in the Job Shadowing program within the “Plava vrpca” (Blue Ribbon) association was not just professional development, but a deeply personal and transformative experience. Although she entered the program aiming to learn how inclusive activities are planned and implemented in a real-world environment, she gained much more—she became an integral part of a team changing the perception of autism in Mostar.
Her engagement included:
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Organizing Key Events: She directly participated in coordinating and realizing the exhibition “Enter My World” by a fifteen-year-old autistic artist, organized on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day.
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Developing New Skills: She mastered project coordination, communication with partners and association members, and learned how to successfully overcome organizational barriers in inclusive work.
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Community Contribution: With her ideas and responsible approach, she made a significant contribution not only to the association but also to their partners, bringing fresh energy to daily activities.
Recognition That Remains…
Her hard work did not go unnoticed. The president of the association, Igor Antunović, emphasized that Jelena, with her sincere desire to help, quickly became an important part of their team and readily responded to all organizational challenges during that period. As the crowning achievement of her efforts, Jelena was officially declared an honorary member of the “Plava vrpca” association. This brought the project to its most beautiful epilogue—a permanent mark of engagement and a strong bond between a young professional, the association, and the local community.
“This experience allowed me to see the reality that is taught in books, but truly understood only through fieldwork and direct contact with people.”
Dženan Huseinspahić: A Voice Breaking Down Prejudices
For Dženan Huseinspahić, participating in the Job Shadowing program at the “Naša djeca” (Our Kids) association in Mostar was a journey of self-discovery. As a person with a disability, Dženan entered the program intending to improve his communication skills and left as one of the key actors in a major humanitarian event.
What Did Dženan Achieve?
During his fifteen-day engagement, Dženan was fully integrated into the team preparing demanding community projects:
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Organization and Logistics: He directly participated in preparing a humanitarian concert, which included coordination with sponsors, guests, and partners.
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Communication Leader: His work involved writing invitations and preparing press releases for the media and social networks, effectively becoming the “voice” of the association during the campaign.
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On-Stage Moderation: The highlight of his engagement was hosting the humanitarian concert itself, where he displayed exceptional professionalism and charisma in front of the audience.
An Inspiring Result
His mentor, Silva Memić, emphasized that this exchange of knowledge was not only important for Dženan but also for her as a mentor, as she witnessed an incredible growth in his confidence. In her words, for Dženan, this was not just an internship, but an opportunity to see firsthand what working in the profession looks like and to feel a true sense of belonging to the team.
Through Job Shadowing, Dženan received the most valuable thing: an opportunity to prove himself in a professional environment without barriers. His role at the humanitarian concert was the crown of this experience, leaving theory behind and focusing on concrete results that enriched both him and the team he worked with.
“Involving young people in local organizations is crucial because it gives them the opportunity to learn through real experience and develop a sense of belonging not only to the community but also to the team.”
Dragan Vulin: Architect of Local Initiatives
For Dragan Vulin, the journey through the Job Shadowing program within the “Not Neat to be NEET” project took place in the heart of his community, at the Local Foundation Bijeljina. Dragan spent 15 working days at the very center of the processes that drive change at the local level.
What Did Dragan Achieve?
Under the mentorship of experienced colleagues, Dragan mastered skills that are crucial for any future leader in the civil sector:
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Project Development: He focused on the technical side of activism, ranging from precisely defining problems and setting goals to creating realistic budgets.
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Learning Through Feedback: With the continuous support of his mentor, Dragan worked on his mistakes and perfected writing project proposals, learning how to turn ideas into sustainable initiatives.
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Practical Experience: He saw firsthand how a local foundation operates and what mechanisms are needed to respond to the actual needs of citizens.
A Message for the Future
Dragan's experience did not end on the last day of the program. He plans to remain involved in the foundation's work and sees his time there as a “wind in his sails” for further activism. His greatest takeaway is the importance of lifelong learning that happens outside the classroom.
“I want to invite all young people to get involved in these kinds of non-formal education programs because it will enrich their lives. Take the opportunity to work on solving problems in your communities—that is the path to real progress.”
Tarik Bajramović: Merging Psychology, Art, and Activism
For Tarik, Job Shadowing at LDA Mostar was not just a professional task, but a true eye-opening experience that allowed him to connect his rich background in psychology and theater with concrete fieldwork. His dedication to youth was reflected in every step, from the careful preparation of materials to the moment he stood in front of a group as an educator.
What Did Tarik Achieve?
Tarik brought a specific energy to the work of LDA Mostar, using his skills to contribute to inclusion in a creative way:
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From Logistics to Facilitation: His path was dynamic; he started by ensuring that each workshop had the necessary technical background and ended up leading educational sessions where he directly applied his knowledge of psychology.
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Understanding Youth Needs: Through daily reflection and teamwork, Tarik deeply explored how to adapt his approach to different groups, especially those with fewer opportunities.
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Contributing to Visibility: He actively participated in promoting activities, believing that stories about youth work must reach as many people as possible.
Personal and Professional Triumph
For Tarik, this experience was a confirmation that he wants to build a career where youth work, art, and social engagement intersect. Stepping out of his comfort zone meant discovering new ways to inspire others, and his progress during the program clearly shows how powerful a driver passion for youth work can be.
According to his mentor, Maja Vejzović-Voloder, through his engagement, it became clear that Tarik was not only developing his skills but truly growing into the role of a youth worker. For this very reason, the Local Democracy Agency decided to continue its cooperation with him as an external expert on several projects, as he has already proven himself to be a valuable and reliable collaborator.
“This experience confirmed that you learn the most when you take the initiative and ask questions. The more you immerse yourself in the work, the richer the result, both personally and professionally.”
Mia Zukić: From Intern to Team Member
Mia Zukić began her journey at LDA Mostar as a professional intern, and today we are pleased to present her as a permanent member of our team!
Her engagement was primarily focused on developing communication strategies and supporting youth projects, with a special emphasis on working with youth in NEET status. Through this program, Mia sought to connect her previous experience in public relations within the public sector with practical, hands-on fieldwork in the non-governmental sector.
What Did the Engagement Entail?
During her one-month internship, Mia was involved in intensive activities that required a high degree of adaptability and creativity:
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Support for the “Not Neat to Be NEET” Project: Mia assisted in planning and implementing communication activities, focusing on promoting the inclusion of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
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Monitoring the Job Shadowing Program: Her task was to track the engagement of participants interning at partner organizations, such as the “Naša djeca” and “Plava Vrpca” associations, and create updates about their progress.
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Content Creation and Dissemination: She worked on designing visuals, writing press releases, managing social media, and analyzing post-reach using digital tools.
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Organizational Support: She actively participated in preparing and executing the kick-off conference of the ROOT WB project, collecting photo and video materials.
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Educational Work: She assisted in organizing the visit of students from the Faculty of Economics and the Interior Design study program, positioning LDA Mostar as a resource center for youth skill development.
New Horizons: When an Internship Becomes a Profession
What began as a desire to step out of administrative frameworks and gain field experience turned into a key turning point in Mia's professional career. Through intensive work on the inclusion of NEET youth and strengthening the visibility of youth work, Mia showed exceptional progress in communication skills, group work, and taking responsibility.
Her engagement and dedication to team goals resulted in the best possible outcome—direct employment at the Local Democracy Agency Mostar. With this, the internship cycle was closed in the finest way, confirming that LDA Mostar is not just a place of learning, but a true resource center that recognizes potential and transforms it into permanent professional engagement.
“What started as learning through observation grew into a professional calling and a natural transition from the role of a participant to a full-fledged team member.”
