Article
The “Empower Your Vote” project was a dynamic initiative designed to raise political awareness and enhance civic engagement among young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spearheaded by Fellows—Almedina Kadrić, Sevda Muratović, Sarah Ela Salihbegović, and Faris Ćosović—the project sought to educate youth about the foundational principles of the political system, their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and avenues for active participation in democratic processes. This comprehensive approach aimed to empower young citizens by encouraging active involvement in 
their communities and equipping them with essential critical thinking and digital literacy skills.
Project Objectives
- Increasing political awareness among youth: Inform young people about the basic principles of the political system, their rights and responsibilities as citizens, and opportunities for active participation in democratic processes.
- Encouraging active civic engagement: Motivate young people to actively participate in the political and social life of their community.
- Strengthening critical thinking skills: Develop critical thinking skills among youth, enabling them to analyze and understand political processes and make their own informed decisions.
- Enhancing digital political literacy: Educate young people on how to use digital platforms for political information, engagement, and expression of opinions, with a special focus on recognizing misinformation and critically evaluating information sources.
Project Activities
To reach a broad audience and foster digital engagement, the team launched an Instagram campaign under the slogan “Nine Challenges, One Revolution”, which served as a central platform for posting challenges, information, and engaging content. Each of the nine challenges was carefully crafted to enhance participants’ understanding of politics in a hands-on, accessible way. Tasks included requesting access to public information, recognizing fake news, analyzing election promises, and performing acts of community service, such as environmental clean-ups. These challenges not only deepened participants’ knowledge of political and social issues but also encouraged empathy and responsibility towards their communities.
The project team maintained regular online meetings to strategize campaign development and monitor progress. Their collaborative efforts culminated in a panel discussion on August 27, 2024, held at the Homework HUB in Sarajevo. Attended by an audience of young participants and panelists, including Adnan Mustafa Hasanagić of the M1 Prava za mlade (M1 Youth Rights) political project, the discussion provided a platform to reflect on the project’s successes, challenges, and future opportunities for youth engagement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many attendees expressed that this was their first encounter with certain political concepts and a new understanding of their rights, underscoring the project’s impact on building politically literate and active citizens.
Through “Empower Your Vote”, the Fellows established a foundational program that not only strengthened the political literacy of young people but also empowered them to become proactive, responsible citizens. The project highlighted the transformative power of informed civic participation, marking a significant step toward creating a more engaged and democratic society.
