Three start-up companies launched in Jajce, supported by the Economic Empowerment of Youth project
Every day, we hear about young people who are leaving BiH in search of a better life. They’re fed up with the lack of jobs and opportunities. However, for three start-up companies from Jajce, supported through the Economic Empowerment of Youth project, this difficult economic situation was not an insurmountable obstacle, but rather a challenge they could overcome. Tired of waiting for things to change, they say it’s time for young people to take responsibility and do something!
Aida Klapuh, Josipa Miketa, and Adis Čagalj, like many young people in our country, have had periods of unemployment, have worked jobs unrelated to their education, and have experienced many disappointments. But these young people recognized opportunities others didn’t see and took the initiative to start their own businesses. Through the project, they were offered further education, as well as mentoring and financial support for the realisation of their business ventures.
Owning a business after years of unemployment: Aida and Josipa’s story
After many years of unemployment, Aida Klapuh joined the NGO sector, where she worked on projects focused on the development of tourism in Jajce. From these emerged the business idea of establishing a travel agency of her own. “The experience I gained as a project manager and operator of the tourist Info bureau was very important to me. Just like I decided that I had enough of leisure time and wanted to be included in something regardless of the amount of my salary, I also decided that I want to start my own business. I was motivated by love for my city, my fellow citizens, the desire to do something, to create jobs for myself and others”, says Aida, who administrates the site, Visit Jajce, which combines information on tourist attractions and the cultural and historical heritage of the city.
And the citizens of Jajce will soon be able to visit a Decor studio that offers the planning and organising weddings and other events. Josipa Miketa, the owner of this studio, previously worked on jobs that did not match her ambitions, but everything changed when he realized that she could turn a hobby into a business, and devote herself fully to the job she enjoys. “After I found a way to express myself, every new project in which I was able to achieve creativity was additional motivation. I have a vision to develop a business outside the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, since I currently have some opportunities to do so”, says Josipa, now optimistic about her future plans to expand the business.
The authorities need to work on creating opportunities for young people: Adis’ story
Adis Čagalj had a similar start. His hobby dealt with wood processing and furniture making. Through education workshops, he learned how to recognize market opportunities and eventually decided to turn his hobby into a serious business. “The project has helped me both financially and in terms of education through various workshops, lectures about starting a business, and examples of some previous, successful businesses”, says Adis. He also plans to hire his wife, Lejla, who, though university-educated, has been out of work for seven years. “Our vision is to spread the business and recruit more people. In the future we would like to create a brand of furniture, Aleaa, that will become recognizable in the market. ”
Adis says that every beginning is hard, especially when it comes to financing. However, he would advise everyone to invest in further education to help them make the most of their opportunities. Because they’re aware of the importance financing in the realisation of their ideas, these young people say that the real transformation occurred when they changed the way they thought about themselves and their abilities. The training, mentoring, and support they received through the project meant a lot, because they realised they were not alone, and that there is a critical mass of young people who want to create change. They saw as well that a group of successful entrepreneurs and mentors were willing to lend them a helping hand.
Aida is enthusiastic about the success of the project. “The support of Kolektiv’s employees was important, for advice and understanding the difficulties I encountered, and for providing the various educational workshops organized through the project. Besides, I’ve learned that persistence is worth it and that it’s possible to succeed if you really work on your goals!”
These young people from Jajce believe that BiH has a lot of talented and hardworking people, and they want the government to work on creating more opportunities for them.
