Renovated Youth Center in Mrkonjić Grad – A Space Connecting Youth and Strengthening Inter-Municipal Cooperation

The renovation and equipping of the Center in the value of 58,000 BAM were made possible through the PBF-funded project “Sustaining Peace and Social Cohesion through Improved Local Service Delivery in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SPSC)”, jointly implemented by IOM and UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Michael O'Mahony, Acting Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressed at the opening ceremony: 

“Young people are the foundation of any community that seeks progress. Spaces like this demonstrate how, through the joint efforts of local authorities, international partners, and youth themselves, we can create an environment that fosters dialogue, creativity, and trust.”

The initiative was implemented in close cooperation with the Municipality of Mrkonjić Grad, which provided technical and institutional support throughout the renovation process, further strengthening the partnership between local authorities, civil society, and international organizations.

The Mayor of Mrkonjić Grad, Dragan Vođević, expressed his gratitude to all partners, stating: 

“This Center is a symbol of partnership and a testament to our belief that young people can and should be the driving force of positive change. Mrkonjić Grad remains committed to creating an environment where such energy is recognized, supported, and nurtured.”

The OO Centar Mrkonjić Grad, youth organization which manages the Youth Center, has already developed a range of youth programs and activities that foster cooperation among young people from different municipalities. To date, more than ten activities have been implemented through the Center — including youth exchanges, educational workshops on activism, and volunteer actions such as mural painting and environmental initiatives — engaging over 60 young people from Mrkonjić Grad, and neighboring Ključ, and Bosanski Petrovac.

Beyond this initiative, the SPSC project has supported and implemented more than 580 activities across Bosnia and Herzegovina — from strengthening youth and education programs to building the capacities of professionals in mental health centers and social services — contributing to the creation of communities where dialogue, trust, and solidarity are passed from one generation to the next.