YouthBank International News

<div class="page old_photo"> <article> <header style="background-image:url(/uploads/530b28f1ee230.JPG);"> <div class="box"> <div class="intro"> <h1>Successful partnerships for long-term sustainability</h1> By Željko Pauković </div> </div> </header> <div class="main"> <div class="container"> The magic formula for a sustainable development of the YouthBank program in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2008 to date? It starts with honest and dedicated partnership of stakeholders for development and prosperity. <table><tbody><tr><td><img src="/uploads/5318a3f81aed2.JPG">                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       </td><td>Željko Pauković is a pioneer in the development of NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and holds a Master’s degree in Economics (Human Resource Management). He has now built 18 years' experience in several organizations and has a particular interest in creating sustainable programs for youth leadership, organization and community development.  For the past seven years, he has been the Program Manager and Program Director of the Youth Bank Program, hosted by the Foundation MOZAIK. He is responsible for the overall development and implementation of the program in 31 Bosnia and Herzegovina municipalities, including the current $1.8 million project supported by USAID until 2015. Željko is proud of the development of Mozaik YouthBanks in Bosnia and Herzegovina (part of the YouthBank International network) and to contribute to the promotion of best practice in the Balkans.</td></tr></tbody></table>Mozaik launched the YouthBank (YB) program in February 2008 in five municipalities with the support of CFNI and during that year 5 YBs supported 24 youth projects. This February 2014 we are preparing the Annual YouthBank Conference which will gather 31 YBs that have supported 290 youth projects in 31 municipalities in 2013.Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the European Union Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on June 16, 2008 in Luxembourg. Citizens were expecting that this would speed up Euro Atlantic integration mechanisms but instead the country has suffered from deep internal disintegration processes. In the past years the country's prosperity has been eaten by bureaucratic moths. This has led to the escalation of citizens' protests against cantonal and entity governments during February 2014.<table> <tbody><tr> <td>Mozaik YouthBanks' developments in figures Over the period 2008-2013 and in 31 municipalities in total, 12,800 young and entrepreneurial volunteers worked for 227,000 hours to implement 965 community projects for a total value of €1,800.872, which has directly affected over 519,000 beneficiaries. Out of this €1.8 million, 23% came from international donors and 23% from municipalities but most importantly 54% came from youth groups in 31 municipalities through mobilization of local resources from business, organizations and citizens. </td> </tr> </tbody></table><img src="/uploads/530b2876e8be2.JPG" style="width: 535px;"> YouthBank Cazin awarding ceremony, June 2013.What led Mozaik to believe that a strategy to involve municipalities was the right thing to do?We believe that strengthening communities is the backbone of a sustainable and prosperous society. It is important to develop good relations between local residents in order to support them in making positive changes for their communities. This is why we focused on cooperation with municipalities. The YB program is perfectly suited to municipalities because it contributes to the involvement of youth in the design and implementation of municipal strategies for young people (obligations in accordance with the laws on youth). How did we start this process?Mozaik has always made public call for municipalities to express interest for developing and supporting the YB program. Selected municipalities have a population of up to 40,000 and their representatives recognize short and long term benefit of YB development.What did agreements with municipalities involve?We made a minimum two-year agreement with municipalities. Mozaik provided training for board members, covered program costs (up to €10,000) and funded projects (up to €10,000). Municipalities over this period provide space for YB activities, support program costs (up to €2,000) and funds for projects (up to €10,000) as defined in the municipal budget, and delegate a person for providing logistic to board members. After the second year Mozaik decreases funds yearly by 25% and municipalities incorporate the YB program in their strategic documents.Key insights gained and what needs particular attention and focus to realise a sustainable network.The underlying message is on marshaling local resources and becoming less dependent on donors.Mozaik has a fifty-fifty approach. This ratio applies to Mozaik and the municipalities providing financial resources for the YB fund, and applies to supporting/providing resources by YBs/youth groups. 50 per cent of motivation comes from within a person and 50 per cent from his or her environment, and is especially dependent on the available leadership.Mozaik has always signed agreements with municipal mayors during YB annual conferences which gather over 300 board members. Promoting YouthBank's best practice helps to strengthen partnerships with cantonal and entity governments and increases their support to the YB network. To endure the smooth and sustainable management of a 31-YouthBank strong network, Mozaik has developed an e-platform for online application, selection, monitoring and reporting which is used by board members, municipalities, Mozaik, donors and young people.In December 2013 the Mozaik YB program was awarded the Youth Spark prize by Microsoft, of which we are particular proud. This is the cherry on top of the cake called YouthBank! Most recently, the Mozaik YouthBank Annual Conference (Feb 22-24, 2014 ) in Sarajevo gathered 180 board members and municipal representatives from 31 YouthBanks and municipalities. The top 10 board members received an award (below). <img src="/uploads/530de4224b843.jpg"> For further information, please contact: Željko Pauković, Program Director Mozaik Foundation Tel: 387 33 265 290 Web: <a href="http://www.mozaik.ba/">www.mozaik.ba</a> Skype: zeljkopaukovic Email: zeljko@mozaik.ba  </div> </div> </article> </div>

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Issue 2