Thanks to the support of the European Union through the ReLOaD3 program, young people from Ilijaš are discovering the cultural and historical heritage of their community through a series of activities that combine new technologies and creativity. 

In early June, “Stari Ilijaš” Elementary School hosted an unusual workshop: young people from this community had an opportunity to learn Bosančica, the authentic script of medieval Bosnia. More than 20 girls and boys carefully followed teacher’s instructions, familiarizing themselves with the letters, and trying to write a few words. 

“This is really interesting,” says 14-year-old Nedžla, one of the participants.

However, this workshop was not just a space for creative expression and socializing. It is part of a broader initiative that seeks to develop a sense of belonging to the local community among young people, strengthen cultural cohesion and introduce them to the rich history of their region.

“Young people are still maturing. They need to be motivated, and these workshops are here to introduce them to the topics of culture and history,” says Safija Beširević, an art teacher. “Young people are interested, but they don’t know where to start. When we show them, they listen, they pay attention.” 

The workshop was organized by the Old Bosnian City of Dubrovnik Foundation as part of the project “Field Education on the Cultural and Historical Heritage of the Municipality of Ilijaš”, which is supported through the Regional Program for Local Democracy in the Western Balkans - ReLOaD3. ReLOaD3 is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Bosnia and Herzegovina in partnership with 14 municipalities and cities, including Ilijaš.

The project was designed after analyzes showed that elementary schools in ​​Ilijaš do not have a developed field teaching model, which then leads to a lack of practical experience and poor integration of cultural heritage into the educational process. 

On the territory of this municipality there are two national monuments of Bosnia and Herzegovina - the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the Kopošići Necropolis. Although they represent a valuable part of the cultural and historical heritage, their educational value is still not sufficiently included in the work of primary schools. That's why, under the slogan "Because heritage only lasts as long as we are able to pass it on to young people”, this project aimed to bring together 100 male and female students aged 11 to 14 and their teachers to get to know these localities better through joint activities.

Perica Mijatović shows stećak that can be found in Kopošići Necropolis 

"We want to use new technologies to bring history and culture closer to young people," says Perica Mijatović from the Old Bosnian City of Dubrovnik Foundation. He adds that he is satisfied with the results of the project so far. "The response of young people is exceptional, and we have exceeded the numbers set by the plan. Everything is going beyond my expectations." 

Out of the planned 100, about 200 students participated in the activities.

In addition to the Bosančica workshop, the activities of this four-month project included an educational trip to the Old Town of Dubrovnik and the Kopošići Necropolis. 

Primary school students on education trip to Old Town Dubrovnik (Photo: Old Bosnian City of Dubrovnik Foundation) 

Youth participated in the virtual reality workshop about the interpretation of culture and historic heritage

Young people participated in lectures on the impact of climate change on stećci and the significance of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, stećci and herbarium workshops, and a virtual reality workshop on the interpretation of cultural and historical heritage. All workshops were interdisciplinary and designed to connect cultural and historical heritage, environmental protection, modern technologies and creative expression, encouraging young people to actively learn and develop awareness of the importance of preserving their common heritage. 

“Young people can learn something about themselves and develop their interests through practical workshops,” says Elma Čaušević Mujezinović, one of the workshop leaders within the project.

When she thinks about all the activities she has participated in through the project, Nedžla cannot decide which one is her favorite. "There were many that I liked. Before, I knew that Old Town Dubrovnik existed, that there were stećci, but nothing more than that. Now I learned and really enjoyed the process."

Through these and similar projects, young people have the opportunity to become guardians and promoters of the cultural and historical heritage of their community. Thanks to practical experience, creative work and the use of modern technologies, they learn about the past of their region, but also develop a sense of responsibility and readiness to pass on this heritage to future generations. 

About the project: ReLOaD3, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, helps citizens to participate more actively in decision-making and contributes to better cooperation between authorities and civil society organizations. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, ReLOaD3 is being implemented in 14 municipalities and cities, including Ilijaš, in the period from February 2025 to January 2029.