A new EU project, EU4Employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Harnessing the Green and Digital Transitions, worth €5.5 million, aimed at improving employment opportunities for women, youth, the long-term unemployed, and vulnerable groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina was presented in Sarajevo today.

The project is expected to contribute to the upskilling and reskilling of at least 1,800 individuals and facilitate the direct employment of at least 600 people from the target groups. This will be achieved through employer-supported hiring, self-employment initiatives, or formalisation of existing jobs. Using grant funding, the initiative will be implemented by creating at least 20 active labour market programmes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, primarily targeting green and digitally intensive jobs.

Antonella Di Sandri, Head of Operations Section II (Economic Development, Natural Resources, Infrastructures) at the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized during today’s promotional event that the EU has been a long-standing partner in strengthening the employment sector in the country. “This new programme will address structural labour market challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which disproportionately affect certain groups of citizens. Creating new jobs is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity, because, by investing in people, we can help build a stronger and more resilient society. We will continue to fund targeted active labour market programmes to support employment and economic growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project is yet another example of the EU’s commitment to the country’s progress and the shared future we are building together,” said Di Sandri.

During today’s promotional event, organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which is implementing the project, a panel discussion was held under the theme “How to effectively support those furthest from the labour market to seize the opportunities generated by the green and digital economy.” The discussion aimed to inform the public on how to access employment support funds within these sectors under the project.

“We are grateful to the European Union for recognising us as reliable partners in the country, ready to apply our expertise and long-standing global experience in managing large-scale projects to workforce preparation for jobs of the future. This includes taking advantage of opportunities presented by the green and digital transitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the next four years, we will work with partners and labour market institutions to make the green and digital transitions more inclusive and equitable, supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in aligning with the EU acquis while also promoting decent employment and work, in line with the ILO’s mandate,” stated Katarina Crnjanski-Vlajčić, Technical Specialist for Social Inclusion and Public Employment Services at the International Labour Organization in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Through grant funding and high-quality technical assistance, the project will combine carefully designed employment measures for women, youth, the long-term unemployed, and vulnerable groups. These efforts aim to enhance their skills, improve employability, and create sustainable job opportunities in emerging sectors.

For more information about the EU4Employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina – Harnessing the Green and Digital Transitions project, please contact: [email protected].